S Brian Smith 🪜

Strategy Ladders

At Strategy Ladders, we specialize in driving explosive growth for agencies, consultancies, and B2B service businesses.

Our mission: help founders like you scale from 7 figures to 8 figures and beyond, unlocking your business's full potential.

We work with founders ready to accelerate growth, overcome operational bottlenecks, and build a business that can scale rapidly and sustainably. If your business isn’t achieving 200% year-over-year growth, it’s time to rethink your strategy.

The Strategy Ladder System is designed to do just that. It’s a proven framework that delivers a bulletproof strategy tailored to your business’s unique needs. Our system streamlines operations, drives revenue, and positions your business for sustained, long-term growth.

But we don’t just stop at strategy. We execute.

Our team of 8-figure founders and industry experts ensures every aspect of your business is optimized for scalability. From marketing and sales to operations and leadership, we cover it all—making sure your business is set to thrive as it grows.

Our results speak for themselves. We’ve helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs achieve remarkable success, including:

💥 Scaling an agency from $150k to $4M ARR in just 10 months

💥 Boosting a digital marketing agency’s productivity by 450%, dramatically increasing profitability

💥 Streamlining a SaaS product’s roadmap, reducing development costs by 45% while increasing execution speed by 25%

💥 Repositioning a web development agency to secure a long-term contract with a Fortune 100 company

💥 Growing an app development agency’s recurring revenue from 2% to over 50% of total revenue in three months

💥 Building a sales organization of 65 people in two years

💥 Orchestrating the sale of key SaaS platform assets at a significant premium over market value

If you’re serious about scaling to 8 figures and beyond, let’s connect. We’re here to provide the expertise and execution you need to achieve exponential growth.

Founder & CEO

I host Strategy Ladders, a no-nonsense podcast delivering real-world insights on scaling, optimizing, and thriving as a founder of an agency or B2B service company.

With 17+ years in the field, my team and I tackle core challenges in B2B sales, leadership, and business growth to help owners overcome bottlenecks and build high-performing teams. Think of it as having an outsourced co-founder in your corner, sharing tactical strategies on everything from digital marketing to operations—minus the fluff. Ready to put your business back to work for you? Follow us now!

Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Amazon 🎙️

Podcast Host

Trivr Eats, Inc

Advisor

S. Brian Smith Group, LLC

"Simply put, Brian has an innate ability to cut through all the bullshit/programming/stories and help one identify and achieve their goals. Working with him has made me more successful in business and has had an overwhelmingly positive impact on my personal life." - Serial Founder & Investor

"S. Brian Smith changed my perspective on life. In fact, he just changed my life - full stop. I’m a better person because of the work we’ve done and I will continue to grow because of the way he has taught me to think." - Entrepreneur, Founder, Executive

"Brian's ability to, not only think outside of the box, but to help me approach various situations from multiple angles is simply, genius. His approach is methodical, authentic, and most importantly, leads to tangible results." - Fortune 500 Executive

"S. Brian Smith is the best damn coach I have ever worked with." - Entrepreneur

Business & Mindset Super Coach to Entrepreneurs

Forbes Coaches Council

Founding Member

Institute of Coaching, McLean/Harvard Medical School

The Institute of Coaching, McLean/Harvard Medical School advances research and education in coaching by bringing together leaders in the field to accelerate research progress and disseminate coaching's best practices.

Fellow

Unicorn Puff

Unicorn Puff is a brain trust of experienced entrepreneurs who help B2B agencies grow. We work with B2B service agencies who are ready to grow. If you’re stuck in one of these spots, we’ll help you take your agency to the next level:
- Founders who are focused on sales, rather than building the business
- Revenue growth has stalled or plateaued
- Despite outbound efforts, most of your sales come from referrals

Chief Executive Officer

Have2Have.it

Chief Marketing Officer / Chief Strategy Officer

Soldsie

Social Kapture

Chief Strategy Officer (CSO)

The Founders Organization

Conceived, built, and operated a paid membership group with 1500 founders throughout North America. Responsible for organizing and executing events in 35 cities throughout North America and large activations at SXSW.

COO / Head of Strategy

I free founders from ops, sales, & management | Founder @ Strategy Ladders | Coached 1000s of B2B and Agency owners | Stop struggling, start enjoying business ownership 🏖️

Are you a founder of a B2B service business or agency generating $2.5 million to $25 million in revenue?

You've tasted success, but you know there's more potential.

You believe your business can reach 8 figures and beyond, but...

😒 You’re the primary strategist for clients.  
😧 You lack a high-level operations leader.  
😖 You’re the main revenue driver.  

You’re exactly who we help.

Imagine a business that thrives without you. A business where your team drives growth, not just maintains it. A business that gives you freedom—not more stress.

❌ Your team struggles to run the business without you.  
❌ Your growth isn’t on track to meet your goals.  
❌ Your team is solid but not equipped to scale to the next level.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

At Strategy Ladders, we’re not just another option—we’re the only serious option for founders ready to scale their 7-figure business to new heights. Our team is unparalleled—every strategy advisor is an 8-figure founder who’s been in your shoes, scaled their businesses, and knows how to help you achieve explosive growth.

Our program provides direct access to a handpicked team of world-class experts in marketing, sales, operations, project management, finance, HR, and more. These aren’t just consultants—they’re industry leaders who’ve built, scaled, and exited businesses like yours.

With Strategy Ladders, you’ll do more than scale from 7 figures to 8 figures—you’ll transform your role in the business. You’ll step out of the daily grind and into true business ownership, where your business works for you, not the other way around.

Here’s what we deliver:

✅ A growth system that injects rocket fuel into your business 🚀  
✅ Strategies that make your business work for you, not the other way around 💎  
✅ Freedom from being irreplaceable ⛓  
✅ A clear path to becoming an owner, not just an operator 💪  
✅ Maximizing the value of your business 💰

Our results speak for themselves:  
"Working with Strategy Ladders has transformed my business and my outlook on life. Their expertise and insight are unparalleled."

"Thanks to Strategy Ladders, I went from 60-hour workweeks to 40, with a clear plan to reduce further. Their guidance is worth every investment."

If you’re ready for exponential growth and a real transformation in your business and life, let’s talk.

One final note: We’re not here to make you corporate. We challenge the status quo, and we will challenge YOU to achieve greatness.

🪜 Visit www.strategyladders.com to schedule a call and discover how we can elevate your business to the next level.

Founder & Head of Strategy

The Strategy Ladder Program delivers MASSIVE results to agencies, consultancies, and service businesses.

If your business is 25-85 employees, partially or fully remote, and you're stuck trying to "level-up," I will transform it with you.

The Strategy Ladder System will get you UNSTUCK. You'll develop a bullet-proof strategy that grows with your business, streamlines operations, scales your revenue, and sets your business up to continue to grow without you.

The Strategy Ladder System doesn't just change your business. It will transform YOU. You'll undergo a mental reset that frees you from the anxiety and beliefs that tie you to the day-to-day in your business. You're the leader of your business - if you don't change, your business never will.

The Strategy Ladder System has worked for over 400 entrepreneurs, delivering & implementing strategies that have:

💥 Scaled an agency from $150k to $4mil ARR in 10 months

💥 Increased a digital marketing agency’s productivity levels by over 450%, dramatically increasing profitability

💥 Streamlined a SaaS product’s roadmap, reducing development costs by 45% while increasing execution speed by over 25%.

💥 Developed and executing a repositioning strategy that landed a web development agency a long-term contract with a Fortune 100 company

💥 Repositioned of an app development agency that grew recurring revenue from 2% to over 50% of total revenue within three month

💥 Built a sales organization of 65 sales people in two years

💥 Orchestrated & executed a legal & and business strategy that lead to a sale of key assets of a SaaS platform for a significant premium over the market value of the company

MarTech Content Writer | Attracting Readers & Driving Conversions Like a Magnet

Hi, I’m Kate, a content strategist for B2B startups and ex content writer for global SaaS brands like Semrush and Backlinko. 

I specialize in content that drives SEO growth, builds brand trust, and supports sales. 

Whether you’re launching a new product or scaling your content engine, I help you turn complex topics into clear, value-packed assets that resonate with your audience.

What I bring to the table:
→ Strategic content with SEO baked in
→ In-depth research and expert interviews that add credibility to each content piece
→ Content that aligns with your funnel — from top-of-funnel education to bottom-of-funnel conversions
→ Real examples, clear structure, and CTAs that move readers to action

I’ve worked with industry-leading MarTech platforms like Semrush, Backlinko, Planable, creating long-form content that not only ranks but converts. My writing is grounded in marketing strategy and user insights.

Now, I also consult startups on building scalable content strategies, using AI tools to support production without sacrificing quality. If you’re a marketing lead, founder, or brand ready to scale content with substance — I’d love to chat.

Let’s connect if you’re looking for:
✅ A trusted content writer with deep MarTech/SaaS experience
✅ A strategist who gets both SEO and storytelling
✅ A consultant to help you streamline your content ops with AI

📩 DM me or email me at kate@kate-starr.com to chat about your goals or potential collaboration.

Kate Starr 🧲

One thing I genuinely dislike as a creator is...


having to use 5 different platforms to run one business.

Newsletter on one tool.
Website somewhere else.
Consultation bookings on Calendly.
Digital products on another platform.
Landing pages on another one.

It’s annoying, 
it’s messy, 
and honestly,
it gets expensive really fast.

So when I watched beehiiv’s Winter Release event today, my jaw dropped a little.

Are you telling me I’ll be able to run most of my creator business from one place?

Yes. Please.

This is exactly why I chose beehiiv 6 months ago, even after having a chance to test all the “big” email tools over the years.

And today’s launch just confirmed it again that I chose the most creator-friendly platform out there.

If you're starting your own creator journey (or want to migrate your newsletter), this is genuinely the best timing I’ve seen so far.

My link gives you:
 ✨ 30-day free trial on premium
 ✨ 20% off for 3 months if you stay on the paid plan
 
Thank me later: https://lnkd.in/dViJQHYm

Kate Starr

Helping startups write content that attracts ideal clients | Ex-Semrush | SaaS Content Strategist & LinkedIn Creator

Stop asking ChatGPT to write your content and do this instead:


- turn on the voice typing feature and speak freely. tell ChatGPT your idea, describe your experience, say everything that comes to mind.

- ask it to organize your thoughts into a social media post, newsletter, whatever you’re writing. tell it to use the exact tone of voice and style that you use in this prompt.

- ask it to analyze your final draft and challenge you. is there anything you can add to make the piece more valuable?


ChatGPT is still a great tool for creating content, but pleease, don't use it the lazy way.

Helping startups write content that attracts ideal clients | Ex-Semrush | SaaS Content Strategist & B2B Content Creator

I need to be honest, I’ve been keeping something from you for a while…


Aand it's finally time to break it to you 🥳

If you asked me two years ago, I would’ve never imagined myself speaking on a stage.

I always saw myself as “the person behind the content,” not the one holding the mic.

But something shifted this year.

After attending several conferences, 
directly connecting with founders, 
and realizing how much I love sharing what I know… 
the idea of speaking started to feel less scary and more like the next natural step.

And when Touch Platform reached out and offered me a workshop spot.
I SAID YES and applied immediately.

So, on December 6, I’ll be hosting a hands-on workshop where I'll help startups build a content strategy that works in the age of AI search.

If you’re in Georgia and you’re building/scaling a startup, I’d love to see you there.

I’ll also be around throughout the whole event, so if you recognize me from LinkedIn, please come say hi, I'd love to connect in-person too 😌

I spent the last weekend at a tech conference here in Tbilisi and it was such an inspiring experience.

Met some brilliant speakers and heard perspectives that genuinely made me rethink a few things.

Azahara Corrales Arnaud Collery Jaïr Halevi Daniel De La Fuente Anastasia Kim Alex Brunori Nicklas Bergman and more.

Thanks for your insights and the conversations on and off the stage 🙌 


Huge thanks to the Touch Platform team for putting this together: Natia Gogia Beka Kvartskhava Nino Kiknadze

You created such a well-run, welcoming event. Really appreciate the work that goes into creating spaces like this. 


Already looking forward to the next one.


I’m still buried under a couple of deadlines this week, but I’ll be sharing some interesting insights and snippets from the talks very soon. Including a few things I taught in my own workshop. 

Lots of good stuff coming 🤞

This year, I launched my very first newsletter.


And even though it’s still a baby, I’m soo proud of how it’s growing and sharing something useful every single week.

To everyone who's already subscribed, thank you! Knowing that almost half of you open every issue and find it useful means a lot.
47% open rate is no joke.

If you’d like to get my content-related insights, workflows, and tips every Friday, please join here: https://lnkd.in/gh7JSXVC

And a shoutout to beehiiv for creating a convenient, fun, and the most creator-friendly space.

November was my highest-reach month on LinkedIn so far. 


And I've noticed something during this month:

My best posts were the ones I made spontaneously. 
I simply crafted them on the whim, without overthinking.
I haven't spent much time/effort on polishing them.
I haven't posted on the "best times to post on LinkedIn".

I've also heard another creator had the same experience.

So I think I'm going to keep doing more of that:
Share something that sparks my mind immediately.
And enjoy the process more rather than feeling the pressure.

What do you think? Have you noticed your raw posts performing better than the polished ones?

Did you know you can now add your Duolingo  score to your LinkedIn? 👀

I just saw the update and immediately added my Swedish score.

Swedish - slowly getting there 💛💙

P.S. If you’re on Duolingo and want to nudge each other with dramatic streak reminders, feel free to hit me up for my username 😄

I audited 20 startup websites this week. Here’s what most are getting wrong and what you can do to leverage these opportunities. 💌 Note: You’re readi

Open article: 💡5 Missed Opportunities I Keep Seeing on Startup Websites (And How to Fix Them) by Kate Starr • 8 min read

💡5 Missed Opportunities I Keep Seeing on Startup Websites (And How to Fix Them)

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The Battle

S Brian Smith 🪜

Kate Starr 🧲

Followers

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Performance ScoreKate Starr 🧲's LinkedIn Performance

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The Battle

S Brian Smith 🪜

Kate Starr 🧲

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

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);}Kate Starr 🧲's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreKate Starr 🧲's LinkedIn Performance