Jessica Lackey Consulting

Helping experts design, build, and run sustainable and right-sized business.

- Group Programs for emerging business owners to build foundations in business planning, strategic planning, and operations/finance/systems.

- 1:1 Consulting / Coaching for business owners who want to grow or scale sustainable businesses.

- Fractional COO Services for visionary CEOs looking for your integrator partner.

Founder and CEO

The Upside

Consulting Member

Boon Health

Leading strategic planning and operational excellence as we build a more resilient world.
- Account Management
- Reporting for Customer, Client, and Coach Metrics
- Leading Operations Team and setting processes and standards

Director of Operations/Strategy Advisor

SheEO™ 

SheEO is a global community of radically generous women + non-binary folks
working on the World’s To-Do List. Activators activate their buying power, networks
and expertise to create an equitable and sustainable world. Since launching in 2015,
7,000+ Activators around the world have collectively loaned out $7M to support
100+ SheEO Ventures. Learn more and Activate: https://sheeo.world/

Activator

Zefyr LLC

Over three years, served as Senior Consultant and Chief of Staff for Zefyr Consulting, a group of Footwear, Apparel & Accessories industry experts dedicated to helping companies in the footwear and apparel industry drive long term value through improved performance and optimized partnerships in their supply chain operations.  Let us help you achieve sustainable results faster.

- S&OP, IBP and Supply and Demand Planning Strategy and Implementation
- Facilitated semi-annual strategy sessions
- Facilitated weekly Leadership Team meeting
- Implemented digital marketing presence, including monthly blogs, LinkedIn presence, and YouTube

Chief of Staff

Electrolux

Lead forecasting, inventory planning and management, and the executive S&OP review process for the North American Sector.

Senior Director, Sales and Operations Planning

Nike

Drive global process and technology development to improve cross-functional business planning processes.

Director, Global Sales and Operations Planning

Lead Inventory Operations for North America, providing accurate forecasts and managing inventory health throughout the distribution network.

Director, North America Inventory Operations

Lead Demand Planning and Operations for North America Women's and Soccer Categories to serve consumers with the right product, at the right place, and at the right time.

Director, North America Demand Planning

Drive definition and deployment of strategic plans that extend Nike’s position as among the leading value chains in the world.

Director, Global Operations Strategy

Apple Inc.

Worldwide Supply Demand Management Intern

McKinsey & Company

Associate

Business Analyst

I’m Jessica Lackey, ex-corporate warrior turned deep business and operations strategist.

I spent my career in the trenches of business - like Harvard Business School, McKinsey Consulting, and Nike. Which means I know business - and I also know exactly what it’s like to be forced into toxic productivity, hustle culture, and pigeon-holed into judging success by the bottom line. I bring that expertise in business strategy, combined with a human-centered perspective, to help grow and scale sustainable expertise businesses.

--------------------------

So your business has hit a plateau - maybe even an existential crisis.
- You’re dropping balls you can’t afford to drop
- You’ve hit the upper limit of your capacity - so doing more and hustling harder isn’t going to be the answer
- Your revenue outlook looks questionable at best - loss of a key client or referral partner or industry shifts
- You might not even be making enough profit to make it worth it
- Or maybe everything is working smoothly… but you want to keep evolving without sacrificing the balance you’ve built

You’re facing a threshold point where you have to make some decisions about your business -- and simply “working harder” to get to the other side isn’t possible.

You’ve tried all the short-term fixes. You’ve read the books, listened to the podcasts, joined the group masterminds, and taken all the programs. You’ve hired an accountant yet you still might not know where the money’s going. Maybe you’ve even hired some contractors, an assistant, or a team to help you grow. 

And yet you’re still stuck.

Now’s time to go deeper into your business and really diagnose what’s not working and build a stronger business from the roots up. You need to understand and shape your business in a way that truly works for you… not using a formula that worked for someone else. No longer be distracted by shiny objects- it’s time to anchor into the stuff that matters and TRULY begin to run your business like a phenomenal leader.

Stop implementing the strategies that worked for someone else’s business, and begin to run the business designed for you.

 https://www.jessicalackey.com/ or DM.

Integrator | Coach | Chief of Staff | Strategy | Operations | Business Strategist

Jessica Lackey

Leaving the Casino is now an award-winning book as the recipient of a Platinum MarCom Award!

In the Thought Leadership category, Leaving the Casino was awarded the HIGHEST honor! Thank you to Fabi Preslar and SPARK Publications for a stunning layout, Hollie Arnett for the interior illustrations, and my editor, my beta readers, and everyone who's purchased a book.

MarCom Awards honor excellence in marketing and communication while recognizing the creativity, hard work, and generosity of industry professionals. Since its inception in 2004, MarCom has evolved into one of the largest and most-respected creative competitions in the world, with about 7,000 print and digital entries submitted each year from dozens of countries.

(Haven't gotten your copy yet? You can snag one here: https://lnkd.in/eBGxF-KF)

Author, Leaving the Casino | Helping experts grow predictably profitable businesses through business foundations | Ex-McKinsey, HBS, Nike

My head wants to keep pushing. My body is saying absolutely not.

With my recent book launch, I hit three nested endings at once: a launch, a year, and a creative arc.

This year included 4 major sprints:

• Finishing the book manuscript
• A full rebrand
• Wrapping up a COO role and launching a course
• The actual book launch

No wonder I was tired. (P.S. Do not recommend doing this all at once). 

But I'm learning something: There's a difference between end-of-sprint tired and end-of-arc completion.

Sprint tired means you need a short time period off.

Arc completion means something deeper. You transformed from where you started to where you are now. 

The work now isn't to sprint harder or pivot faster.
The work is to complete and rest.
The work is to let your curiosity return so you can plant the next seeds.

When you build in arcs, you create space to dream before deciding what's next.

I used to think momentum meant never stopping. Keep shipping. Keep building. Keep posting.

But true rhythm is momentum with meaning, not endless movement.

So I'm sitting in this ending. Not rushing to the next thing. Not filling the space with busy work.

Just letting the completion settle.

The pause between cycles isn't wasted time. It's strategic positioning for the next arc.

What are you completing right now? Are you giving yourself space to actually finish it?

The best way to leave the Entrepreneurial Casino is to do it with friends. And the  joint communities of Deeper Foundations and Lex Roman's Legends?!? You couldn't ask for better humans to do better business with.

Come join us to talk about the book in December!

Build your internet business with me at revenuerulebreaker.com

Need a business reset? I'm hosting Jessica Lackey to discuss her new book "Leaving the Casino." Close out your year with a fresh foundation! 

This book is perfect for you if you're:
- Rethinking your business model
- Feeling like your business isn't sustainable
- Worried about what 2026 holds for you
- Just getting started in business
- Coming back to your business after time off

Get your copy of "Leaving the Casino" and join us Friday, December 12 to talk about how to apply it in your business.

In this book, Jessica steers us away from the entrepreneurial casino of quick fixes and funnels and invites us into a world where we can build something that's truly our own. If you've ever bought a course or a program thinking it would change your life, you're gonna love her thoughtful approach.

Come hang with us on Friday, December 12 at 9am Pacific/12pm Eastern 📗

The event is FREE but I highly recommend buying the book (discount code when you register!) https://luma.com/ntdwehsq

Are you asking the right questions in your business?

A wonderful conversation with Diann Wingert and the ADHD-ish podcast today, all about how we leave the Entrepreneurial Casino.

And it couldn't have come at a better time, before we're bombarded with Black Friday sales — before making that purchase, ask: do you need a course to get better at a marketing strategy or business model that isn't aligned with your brain and business model?

Check out our podcast today: https://lnkd.in/emK8SUKd

You're sprinting hard—but sprinting toward what? And is that sprint even right for where you are in the larger journey?

You need three different timescales running at once: the Micro, Mezzo, and Macro cycles.

And most people only track one (and often the wrong one).

The three cycles work like this:

→ Micro = Sprints (2-3 months)

This is what you do.

The project, the launch, the thing you ship. The rhythm of doing.

Every year I run at least two Define Your Foundations cohorts. This year I also stacked: finishing the book, rebrand + website, ending my COO work + launching my first course, and the book launch itself.

Sprints create momentum. But they need to ladder up to something larger.

→ Mezzo = Chapters (12-18 months)

This is how you build.

The theme of your year. The capability you're strengthening. The visible growth ring on the tree.

Each chapter of my business has carried its own focus:

• Years 1-2: Building my book of business
• Years 3-4: Creating my body of work—essays, curriculum, network
• Year 5: Culmination—rebrand, book, course

A chapter gives your sprints direction. Without it, you're just busy.

→ Macro = Arcs (3-5 years)

This is who you're becoming.

The identity shift. The transformation from seed to stable ecosystem.

My first five-year arc? Going from "getting started" to "established body of work + book in the world." That arc is complete. The next one is forming, but it's too early to name it yet.

Arcs move slow and structural, with permanent impact.

Here's the trap I see everywhere:

People stack sprints back-to-back without asking: Does this sprint serve my chapter? Is this even the right sprint for where I am in my arc?

They're running Year 5 sprints in Year 1. Or launching when they should be learning. Or creating new offers when they should be strengthening what already exists.

The problem isn't lack of execution. It's sprinting without a map.

You need all three cycles because:

→ Sprints without chapters leave you busy with nothing lasting to show
→ Chapters without arcs create skill without direction
→ Arcs without sprints stay in the dream phase forever

Ask yourself these three questions:

• What sprints did you run this year? Did they ladder up to a bigger chapter, or were they random?

• What was your chapter's focus this year? If you can't name it in one sentence, you probably didn't have one.

• Where are you in your current arc? Beginning (seeding), middle (building), or end (harvesting)?

Once you can see all three cycles, everything gets clearer.

You stop sprinting harder and start sprinting smarter.

Which cycle are you missing right now?

The real spooky season? Black Friday and New Year's sales. We convince ourselves THIS time will be different, that January will magically give us more time.

Before you buy that course, tool, or coaching program:

Ask yourself if you can pay ALL THREE COSTS.

Because most people only think about Cost 1.

And that's why their credit card statements are full of things they never used.

The framework breaks down to three costs:

Cost 1: Financial investment

This is the obvious one. The $997 course. The $199/month software. The $15K mastermind.

But nobody asks the real question: Does the value match your specific situation and goals?

I've seen people drop $15K on coaches when a $50 book and 3 focused conversations would've done the trick. Perhaps my book?

(And look - if you need advice on something, just email me. I'm not charging you $15K for a conversation.)

Cost 2: Learning investment

This is where most purchases stall out.

You bought the thing. Now you need 2-3 hours per week to actually learn it and implement it.

That social media course? You need time to watch the videos, take notes, and test the strategies.

That productivity app? You need time to set it up, learn the features, and migrate your workflow.

Most people can't pay this cost. They're already trying to do more than they have capacity for.

So the purchase sits there. Unopened. Unused.

Cost 3: Ongoing maintenance

Even after you learn it, you need ongoing effort to maintain it and see results.

That CRM? You need to update it weekly or it becomes useless.

That workout program? You need to show up 3-4x per week or you won't make the promised "gainz"

That newsletter you started? You need to write somewhat routinely or your audience might mark you as spam.

This is the cost that kills momentum 3 months in.

The reality:

If you can't pay all three costs, you're wasting money.

No matter how good the Black Friday deal is.

No matter how much you convince yourself "this time will be different."

So before you buy:

Do the math on your calendar. Where are those 2-3 hours per week coming from? What are you pruning to make space?

If you can't answer that, save your money.

Which cost do you struggle with most - the upfront learning investment or the ongoing weekly maintenance?

3.5 years. 45 classes. Over 600 registrations. And one final public Deeper Business Dialogue this Wednesday.

In March 2022, I taught my first free class.

Eight people registered. Four showed up live.

And the next month I taught another one, and the month after that.

I had no idea those free classes would become a nearly-four-year rhythm that would shape my business and connect me with so many of you.

What these Dialogues gave me:

A space to workshop ideas in real time. 
Permission to teach what I was still exploring. 
Connection with brilliant, curious humans building businesses differently.

They were proof that you can build without gatekeeping your foundational thinking behind a high-priced paywall (or a paywall at all).

One of you once told me: "This wasn't a sales pitch disguised as helpful content. It was simply helpful."

That mattered more than you know.

To everyone who showed up live, watched a replay, asked brave questions in the chat, shared your struggles and wins, told a friend—thank you.

You made this chapter so special.

Here's what's next:

The Dialogues will continue for Members, where we can go deeper every month on new trainings and topics, drawing from our shared foundation. 

And there are more ways than ever to enter my world if you're curious about building a right-sized, sustainable business—YouTube, the Leaving the Casino book, the Membership.

But I want to close this chapter the right way.

Join me Wednesday for "What Is Enough?": the final public Dialogue.

Bring your Leaving the Casino book if you have one. Let's close this chapter together.

Here's to everything we've learned together. And to what comes next.

Register here:

Open article: Book Club: What is Enough? · Zoom · Luma by luma.com

Book Club: What is Enough? · Zoom · Luma

Every activity in your business has a job to do. The question is: Does it still have that job?

When I started free monthly trainings (my Deeper Business Dialogues) in 2022, the job was clear.

Be the primary entry point to my work. Give people a feel for my methodology. Build audience from 117 email subscribers.

It worked.

Fast forward to 2025, and that activity isn't doing the job well anymore. 

So what do I do? Should I keep them, evolve them, or prune them?

Here's the framework you can use to evaluate activities in your business:

1. First, name the job this activity currently does.

Not what you want it to do. What it actually does right now.

For the Dialogues? Towards the end, the job they were doing was mixed and muddled.

2. Next, ask if it still needs to do that job, or if something else does it better now.

My book, blog, and YouTube channels are much more effective at welcoming people into my work and worldview now.

3. Can the activity do a new or different job? 

The same activity can do a new job. My Dialogues are now an opportunity to go deeper with Members, showcase *their* expertise, bring in guest speakers, or teach new frameworks. 

4. Decide to evolve it or prune it.

Sometimes activities end (like when I quiet quit Instagram a few years ago). I enjoy having my attention back for longer-form marketing.

Or you can evolve it, which is why my monthly Dialogues are now members-only. 

As you move into 2026...

What activity in your business served you beautifully in one season but needs to evolve (or end) in this one?

You can still get my "98.5% off" Black Friday sale, even though the rush is over.

We obviously start with the obligatory value stack:
In this bundle, you get 6 of my never-been-released courses:
- Business Models & Offer Architecture Course — $500 value
- Pricing Foundations Course — $300 value
- Sustainable Marketing Course — $300 value
- Right-Sized Hiring Course — $300 value
- Time Management & System Design Course — $300 value

Total value? At least $1,700.

But you can get these "courses" for 98.5% off.

You'll get 300+ pages of written content (no videos to watch!) plus an accompanying workbook (to help you implement), with 15+ unique frameworks (not just stories of what's worked for me)...

For just $25.

This might be the only  deal that actually saves you money in the long run.

Because once you understand what kind of business you're running, what's right for your stage of business, and frameworks for making decisions, you stop:

Wasting money on courses you don’t need

Chasing tactics that don’t make sense for your business

Paying for strategies designed for someone with a team, an audience, and capital you don’t have

So what is this wildly-underpriced, "never seen before", Black Friday bundle that's now suspiciously still on sale?

My book: Leaving the Casino!

A full-color, practical field guide for experts who want a right-sized, sustainable business without the hustle and hype.

The equivalent of a $1,700 course library—priced like a paperback.

Now, full disclosure: this “Black Friday exclusive” is available every single day at the same price. But when else am I going to remind you that a guide to building comprehensive business foundations can cost less than dinner out?

B2Btail 

Helping B2B Manufacturers Attract Their Ideal Customers Online

Most B2B companies are great at what they do but struggle to be found online by the customers they’re best equipped to help.

At B2Btail, we help manufacturers and B2B companies stop being the best kept secret by building strong digital foundations and using educational marketing to attract high-value customers.

Our work combines search engine optimization (SEO), content strategy, LinkedIn marketing, and foundational website enhancements to improve visibility and generate more qualified leads.

What we do:

Build and execute SEO strategies that help manufacturers rank for buyer-intent keyword phrases

Create and repurpose educational content that speaks directly to soulmate customers

Implement LinkedIn lead generation systems using live video, original content, and smart outreach

Guide companies through our Digital Game Plan to uncover growth opportunities, ideal markets, and the buyer’s journey

Develop marketing strategies that support long-term inbound lead generation and customer engagement

Who we help:

Manufacturers who are tired of being invisible online

B2B companies that want to attract better-fit customers but don’t have a marketing team

Business owners looking for a clear marketing roadmap they can execute over time

If you’re trying to grow but feel stuck with inconsistent leads, confusing messaging, or outdated digital presence, we can help you change that.

Let’s talk about building your Digital Game Plan or launching a lead-generating content strategy that finally gets you found.

Relentless Business Growth Advocate

Exit Your Way®

With over 20 years of experience in manufacturing, eCommerce, and healthcare, I bring a hands-on approach to transforming businesses so owners can sell their businesses and generate the wealth the desire.

Challenges we help you solve:

Developing and executing initiatives to significantly increase business value.

Enhancing leaders' abilities to inspire teams and drive continuous improvement.

Streamlining operations to reduce costs and boost profitability.

Providing resources to prepare businesses for sale.


Results from our work with clients:

95%+ business sale success rate, often selling businesses for up to 20% over market value.

A business you love to own but you can sell when you want to the best buyers.

 Fractional Chief Exit Officer

Navigating the challenges of scaling, preparing for a business exit, or selling a business? Feel like you're not tapping into your business's full potential?   - You're not alone. 

Many business owners grapple with realizing the true value of their business in a market that often seems stacked against them. 

I'm Damon Pistulka, and at Exit Your Way®, we're not just about transactions; we're about transforming businesses one at a time.

Imagine a scenario where your business doesn't just meet your expectations but exceeds them to increase your value 2x+ its current market value. 

Picture a business sale / business exit success rate that's not the average 25% but is 90%+. 

That's the Exit Your Way® difference.

With decades of hands-on experience across diverse sectors, we've honed a unique approach that focuses on YOU:

Unlock Potential: We delve deep, identifying hidden strengths and opportunities, ensuring your business is operating efficiently and effectively.

Strategic Growth: Our tailored services propel your business forward, amplifying its value and appeal.

Achieve Your Vision: Whether you're aiming to double revenue, quadruple business value, or exit the market with unparalleled returns, we're your partners in realizing that dream.

Our manufacturing, ecommerce, construction, and occupational rehabilitation clients don't just achieve their goals; they surpass them. They experience transformative growth, often selling above market prices. 

We give owners peace of mind, confidence, and the freedom to envision a brighter, more prosperous future.

If you're a forward-thinking business owner, eager to elevate your venture and see tangible, lasting results, let's connect. 

Experience the transformative power of Exit Your Way® and envision a future where your business doesn't just succeed; it thrives. 

Let's redefine success, together.

If you want to learn more, contact us:

info@exityourway.com
833-BIZ-EXIT (249-3948)
www.ExitYourWay.com

Co-Founder | Managing Director | CMSH

Navigating the complexities of selling a business can be daunting. 

With a mere 25% success rate in the traditional market, many business owners feel trapped, undervalued, and overwhelmed. 

At Exit Your Way®, we've flipped the script. 
Leveraging 20+ years of hands-on experience in manufacturing, eCommerce, and healthcare, we guide businesses to achieve 2x+ their current market value with a 90%+ business sale success rate. 

Our integrated approach ensures you're not just selling a business but realizing its true potential. Let's transform your hard work into tangible wealth. Connect with me to discover how.

If you want to learn more about how Exit Your Way® might help you preparing and selling a business, contact me at info@exityourway.us

Business Broker

As part of the overall Exit Your Way® efforts helping clients build and sell valuable businesses we help clients identify, review, and acquire businesses.  We walk clients through a proven process to evaluate businesses appropriately in stages to ensure they are making informed decisions efficiently to ge the right deals done.

Business Acquisition Advisor

Helping business owners solve strategic and operational issues with fractional CEO & COO services.  Fractional CEO & COO resource to solve business challenges hampering growth or owner freedom.  Fractional CEO & COO resource to solve strategic sales challenges allowing owners to achieve their short and long term goals.  Fractional CEO & COO resource to onboarding new executives so they are more effective and are more productive, faster.

Fractional CEO, COO

Increasing sales & business value.  Sales consulting to help owners create sales momentum, increasing sales and business value.  Sales consulting to ensure businesses are creating the profits today and providing the long term business value the owners need to fuel their life after the business.  Sales consulting to help business owners achieve their goals

Sales Consulting

Our Team has over 40 years experience in providing certified business valuations, fairness opinions and pricing services of debt and equity securities in connection with transactions, stock ownership plans, and disputes.  Our process returns your certified business valuation in days not weeks with more calculation methods and risk assessments to ensure accurate and fair certified business valuations.  We have the certifications needed to back up all certified business valuations including certified business valuations used for legal and IRS matters.

Business Valuations

Management Consulting to help owners solve problems hampering business growth. Helping owners restart growth in plateaued businesses.   Helping business owners break through performance challenges by solving operational and executional challenges.  Management Consulting with the knowledge, tactical skills to help your company increase business value 25%, 50% or more.

Management Consulting

The Faces of Business - Business professionals sharing life and business experiences to entertain, engage, build community, & help others succeed.  Our guests share stories and information to inspire and educate.  

There are incredible people all around us.  We share their stories and knowledge.

Live Tuesday & Thursday at 3:05 pm PT. on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.

All episodes are released on popular podcast channels.

All past episodes:  https://exityourway.us/the-faces-of-business/

The Faces of Business | Livestream / Podcast Host & Producer

The Manufacturing eCommerce Success Series – Hosting guests helping manufacturers connect with great people and resources helping manufacturers improve and grow their businesses. 

Co-host weekly event with Curt Anderson from www.B2BTail.com. 

Every Monday & Friday at 10:32 am PT speakers share real world information about key aspects of ecommerce/digital sales/sales growth/leadership. 

Shows broadcast live on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.

Manufacturing Ecommerce Success Series | Livestream Co Host & Producer

Cross NW - Business Advisors

Cross NW - Cross Northwest, Inc. is a boutique Business Advisory / Investment Banking firm that helps business owners build dominating businesses and sell a business for more money.  Cross NW does this by providing Sales Acceleration, Results Management and Merger & Acquisition Advisory/ Business Brokerage services for business owners of privately held companies.  Our hands-on resources and value improvement expertise allows us to increase business values, make companies run better and guide companies through the process to successfully sell a business transitions.  NO B.S.  JUST RESULTS

★Sales acceleration services to drive top line revenues and profits
★Results management to focus the organization on building business value and prepare companies for a transition.
★The "Exit Your Way" system for developing and measuring progress towards exit value goal
★Strategic and tactical services working alongside business owners and staff to make things happen  
★Coordination of business transactions
★Business advisory for new business buyers to continue the success long after the sale

Managing Partner - Sell a Business

Ecommerce MGMT Cooperative

Helping companies that want to improve their digital sales strategies through live stream training that builds a foundation of knowledge which can be applied to real world solutions in businesses.

Leadership Team

Evergreen Renewable LLC

Management consulting and project development company

Manage the business and consulting projects for process developers, manufacturers, and commercial customers.  

★ Evaluation of technologies, applications, and project development opportunities. 
★ Technical support, business strategy, and diligence for project development and execution.  
★ Develop business plans for project finance and development.
★ Identify and connected with potential investment groups.
★ Present business plans to interested investment groups.
★ Manage project development and business improvement projects.
★ Provide leadership, direction, and business management for the company

President | General Manager | Consultant

Synergy Systems Inc.

Machining, stereolithography (SLA), and urethane molding of components and assemblies for aerospace, defense, medical, and technology companies.

Managed the business - Company needed significant structural and operational changes to become competitive in the marketplace.  

★Implemented formal cash usage controls from holding company 
★Implemented weekly performance review/cash management meetings with holding company
★Implemented weekly soft close to measure estimated profitability on a weekly basis
★Combined similar capabilities in subsidiaries to increase utilization of equipment and efficiency
★Utilized Kaizen to restructure business processes 
★Implemented ERP system to provide streamlined financial and operational information
★Created visual factory scheduling system to reduce WIP and slow moving products
★Assisted management and staff in completing AS9100 certification audits.
★Worked directly with SBA personnel to maintain 8A certification
★Maintained Boeing Gold supplier rating for quality and delivery
★Fostered relationships with large aerospace and nuclear customers seeking 8A certified suppliers

➤Company cash neutral in 120 days. Cash positive in 180 days
➤Reduced G&A costs by 20% and increased operational productivity by 25%.  
Turn around role for Alaskan Native Corporation holding company.

Vice President | General Manager

Olympic Fabrication LLC

Precision fabrication of ground support equipment, vessels, and facility subsystems for aerospace and NQA1 nuclear customers.  

Managed the business for the holding company with an on-site General Manager - Company needed significant organizational changes to become an efficient producer.  Lead the General Manager and Operational Management team to make these changes. 

★Implemented formal cash usage controls from parent company 
★Implemented weekly performance review/cash management meetings with parent company
★Eliminated capabilities to focus on core strengths
★Managed extensive 5S organizational work with operational team
★Provided operational direction to develop plans to increase throughput up to 2X as needed to complete projects
★Worked directly with SBA personnel to maintain 8A certification
★Assisted management and staff in completing AS9100 and NQA1 certification audits.
★Fostered relationships with aerospace and nuclear customers seeking 8A certified suppliers 

➤Company cash neutral in 90 days. Cash positive in 120 days
➤Ultimately increased revenues over 20% and profitability over 70%  

Turn around role for Alaskan Native Corporation holding company.

Vice President

EverGreen Renewable LLC

Energy company working to develop a 50 MGY Washington State based corn ethanol facility. Elected not to construct facility due to market conditions. 
.
★ Researched and selected technology partners to develop off grid corn ethanol production facility
★ Developed business plans and identified team to construct and operate the corn ethanol facility
★ Conducted technology diligence and economic modeling to determine commercial feasibility for   project
★ Developed investor package to raise funds for the $150 million corn ethanol facility.

Project Developer

CNC Diversified Manufacturing, Inc.

Complex 5 axis machined precision components and assemblies for tier 1 aerospace and defense manufacturers. 

Managed the business - Company needed significant changes to turn around financial and operational performance.

★Eliminated processing constraints inoperations resulting in over 50% sales increase.
★Increase machine utilization over 45% through organizational process changes
★Developed operational KPI's to ensure high machine utilization
★Set up 24/7 operational schedule to increase utilization of key equipment
★Combined operations into one facility to improve costs and efficiency
★Implemented communication and process changes to improve Boeing customer rating from red to silver “High Performer” for delivery and quality
★Coordinated technical efforts to reduce overall production times approximately 40% on titanium products.
★Increase throughput of company by over 25%
★Developed supply chain and internal controls to complete composite tooling project which doubled sales during the 4 month project period

➤Company cash neutral in 120 days.  Profitable in 270 days. 
Turn around role for private equity group

VP, Operations

Automated Metal Techologies

Precision sheet metal fabrication 

Managed the company - Implemented significant changes throughout the business to grow the revenues and profits.

★Implemented improvements that allowed 30% growth with a reduction in company staffing.
★Applied visual work in process scheduling at workstations
★Implemented programming software to dynamically nest production requirements on a daily basis
★Developed kan ban replenishment of raw sheet stock from supplier
★Utilized automatic sheet feeders and implemented remote video cameras for lights out operation
★Provided customers 3 business day service on custom items
★Managed supply chain and inventory at customer locations to eliminate stock outs

➤Increased revenues approximately 50% in 24 months
➤Company set new records for sales and profit %
Private owner

VP | General Manager

Helping Founders Scale, Prepare, and Exit | Value & Profit Growth | Live Streaming Business Development | Buying & Selling Businesses | Chief Exit Officer | LinkedIn Live Stream Host

Running a business was supposed to give you more freedom, not take it away.

But somewhere along the way, growth slowed. The work got heavier. You’re buried in day-to-day decisions, your team is busy, but results aren’t where they should be. Instead of scaling, it feels like you’re stuck.

That’s not failure. That’s a business plateau. And it’s more common than most business owners are willing to admit.

I help fix that.

For more than 25 years, I’ve worked with owners and leadership teams in manufacturing, ecommerce, and B2B services to help them grow businesses that run better, generate more value, and eventually become sellable when the time is right.

Through Exit Your Way, I guide B2B companies to build systems, elevate teams, and create exit options, even if they don’t plan to sell for years. Through our work at B2Btail with the Digital Game Plan strategy development/execution process, we help companies stop being the best kept secret by creating marketing foundations that attract their ideal customers and position them for long-term success.

My focus is simple: helping you build a business that works, whether you’re in the room or not.

Common challenges I help solve:

Low visibility: Your best customers don’t know you exist. We fix that by aligning messaging, strategy, and marketing assets to bring them to you.

Owner overload: If everything depends on you, growth hits a wall. We help build teams and systems that keep moving, even when you step away.

Exit confusion: You want out someday, but the path forward is unclear. We build companies buyers want and owners are proud of.

When it works, here’s what changes:

Customers find you because your message finally speaks their language

Your team handles the day-to-day, freeing you to focus on higher-value work

You move from reacting to leading, and from being stuck to scaling intentionally

I’ve built and sold companies, led investor-backed teams, and helped founders grow from $5 million to $30 million and beyond. I bring the tools, perspective, and calm needed to lead through messy growth and prepare for clean, profitable exits.

But this isn’t just about growth or selling. It’s about control over your time, your team, your income, and your future.

If you’re ready to lead again instead of constantly catching up, I’d be glad to talk.

damon@exityourway.com

425-654-7757
exityourway.com | b2btail.com

You’ve built something great. Let’s make sure it works for you.

Damon Pistulka √

Your customer is the hero.

You’re the guide.

Remember that to earn trust and drive sales.

Most businesses position themselves as the hero:

🔷We do this.

🔷We built that.

🔷We’ve been around since…

But your customer doesn’t care about your story…

They care about how you help them succeed.

When you make them the hero in your messaging:

🔥Your story supports theirs

🔥You become a trusted guide

🔥Your brand becomes magnetic

When you clearly help people understand how you might help them succeed your messaging resonates more clearly.


⚡Show people how things will be better working with you! ⚡


How would your messaging change if it was all about your customer’s success?


⭐ Helping owners grow their businesses with coaching, training, systems, and a supportive community. ⭐

👉Subscribe to "The Best Kept Secret Sauce" newsletter for strategies that turn conversations into opportunities.

🔔 Follow me for thoughts on relentless business growth, leadership, and life.

Video credit - readersdigest

#StoryBrand #CustomerSuccess #MessagingMatters #MarketingStrategy #DigitalGamePlan

Helping Business Owners Achieve Significant Profit Growth | Transformative Business Development | Transaction Advisory | LinkedIn Live Stream Host

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Damon Pistulka √

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The Battle

Jessica Lackey

Damon Pistulka √

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Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Jessica Lackey's LinkedIn Performance

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