President | Business Exit Advisor | Exit Factor Essex County

Growth doesn’t usually stall because of demand.

It stalls because complexity compounds faster than clarity.

I work with founder-led creative and service businesses navigating the $1M–$3M stage — where growth introduces structural friction:

• Offer sprawl
• Margin compression
• Team misalignment
• Founder bottlenecks
• Decision fatigue
• Identity lag (operator → CEO)

At this level, the issue isn’t effort.

It’s architecture.

Inside advisory engagements, we focus on:

• Revenue architecture and margin visibility
• Offer simplification and pricing clarity
• Organizational structure and delegation design
• Founder role recalibration
• Long-range strategic planning

Before advising founders, I built and led Photos In A Minute, developing national experiential partnerships with organizations including the White House, New England Patriots, and HBO.

I’ve operated inside growth.

Now I work behind the scenes with founders navigating complexity at scale.

If you’re leading a business where growth feels heavier than it should, I’m open to thoughtful conversations.

Scott Proposki

Hockey Legend Ray Bourque's Coaching Secret Revealed‼️

#Camerafocus #PhotographyBusiness

Founder → Strategic Advisor | Helping Businesses Scale With Structure | 4x Author | Podcast Host

I didn’t realize something until I started writing this.

ometimes reflection shows you things you didn’t see in the moment.


Years ago, I was working for Fox News Corp in Chicago.

Chicago was home to legends.

Reverend Jesse Jackson.

And Michael Jackson.


At events, whenever Michael arrived, there was always an entourage surrounding him.

Security.

Advisors.

People creating space around a global icon.

And often, right there with him, was Reverend Jesse Jackson.

Not separate.

Not distant.

But present.

Looking back now, something strikes me.

They shared the same last name.

Jackson.

No family relationship.

Just two powerful men.

Both rooted in Chicago.

Both carrying influence in completely different arenas.

One through music that moved the world.

One through activism that moved a nation.

At the time, it was just another event.

Another assignment.

Another moment in a busy career.

But now, it feels bigger.

It feels like I witnessed history standing next to history.

Two men.

Same name.

Same city.

Different callings.

Both leaving undeniable impact.

As we reflect on the passing of Reverend Jesse Jackson, I can’t help but think about legacy.

About presence.

About who walks beside us in our most visible moments.

Take a moment today to think about the mark you’re leaving.

The rooms you walk into.

The people you stand beside.

Rest in peace, Reverend Jesse Jackson.

Rest in peace, Michael Jackson

Talk to ya tomorrow,

Scott

No alternative text description for this image

I saw an old post from Facebook back in time post...

My yellow Lab, Jackson.

Tennis ball in his mouth.

Snow everywhere.

Perfect timing, because Boston is about to get hit with a blizzard.

But it wasn’t the snow that caught me.


It was the ball.

There’s a story about the founder of Box.

When he was building the company, he’d throw a tennis ball for his dog.

Throw it.

Chase it.

Bring it back.

Again.

The dog didn’t care about noise.

Didn’t care about chaos.

Just the ball.

Most small business owners struggle because they’re chasing five balls at once.

New idea.

New platform.

New distraction.

Meanwhile, the one thing that would actually grow the business sits there.

So what’s your tennis ball?

What’s the one thing that, if you focused on it relentlessly, would move everything forward?

If you’re not sure what it is, let’s figure it out.

Let's have virtual coffee... -&gt; Pick a time that works best for you HERE.

Talk to ya tomorrow, (If I still have power and internet)

Scott

~ Scott Proposki

White house easterbunny pics? 🐰📸 Unconventional start.

#Photography #CareerPaths #UnconventionalSuccess

Life-Changing Coaching ⏳ | Predict Your Death Age 💡✨

#LifeCoaching #IntentionalLiving #GrowthJourney

If I could go back and start my business over…

I wouldn’t change my logo.

(Although… wow. It was rough.)

I wouldn’t change my pricing.

Okay maybe a little.

I wouldn’t even change my camera.

I’d do one simple thing.

I’d save every single contact I ever met.

Every.

Single.

One.

Right now I’m staring at four boxes of business cards I’ve collected over the years.

Four boxes.

Not a cute little stack.

Not a tidy spreadsheet.

Four slightly dusty, mildly chaotic boxes.

Apparently I’ve been networking like a squirrel with anxiety.

Here’s the funny part.

I didn’t even realize I was doing something smart.

I just kept collecting names.

But looking back?

My biggest clients didn’t come from my photography skills.

They came from my network.

From relationships.

From staying in touch.

From email.

Like this one.

At some point, we crossed paths.

Maybe we met.

Maybe you clicked something.

Maybe the internet did its weird magic.

But you’re here.

And that’s not luck.

That’s a list.

The biggest mistake most business owners make?

They obsess over their website.

They tweak their logo 17 times.

They buy another lens.

But they don’t build the list.

And then they wonder why bookings feel like a rollercoaster designed by a toddler.

And while we’re talking about money being left in weird places…

If I looked at your photography business for 15 minutes, I’m confident I could find $25K you’re leaving on the table.

In your pricing.

In your packages.

In your sales process.

Probably hiding in plain sight.

I’ll map it out for you — free.

Think I can’t?

Book a call and let’s see.

Worst case?

You waste 15 minutes.

Best case?

You find $25K.

Your move.

Talk to ya tomorrow,

Scott

Pandemic's Devastating Impact on Event Photography Business 📸‼️

#EventPhotography #PhotographyBusiness #BusinessChallenges

Photography sales secret: adapt or lose the business. 📸💼

#PhotographyBusiness #PhotographySales #PhotographyTips

Psychology of Sales: Land Your First Client! 💼🧠

 #SalesPsychology #EntrepreneurTips #SalesStrategy

📸 Top Event Photographer’s Secret to Big Deals Revealed! 💰✨

#EventPhotography #PhotographyTips #MarketingForPhotographers

The future is here.

And it still oversleeps.

I’ve been playing around with all these new AI tools lately.

And don’t get me wrong…

They’re amazing.

They write.

They design.

They strategize.

They basically think.

It’s wild.

Technology is moving faster than ever.

We can generate almost anything in seconds.

But somehow…

Siri still can’t set my alarm correctly.

How is it that AI can build a business plan…

But my phone can’t wake me up on time?

I’m not mad.

I’m just confused.

We’re living in the most advanced technological era in human history.

And I still double-check my alarm like it’s 2009.

Don’t get me wrong... I love where this is going.

AI is powerful.

If you use it right, it can seriously work in your favor.

But moments like this make me laugh.

The future is incredible.

And slightly dysfunctional.

Tell me I’m not the only one.

Has your “smart” tech ever humbled you?

Hit reply and let me know.

Talk to ya tomorrow,

Scott

it’s not the big, complex stuff holding you back. It’s the small, foundational things that make the biggest impact. Fix a few key habits, and your business can change fast. 💯

🚀 Want to see how? Apply for Scott’s Camera Focus Program. DM me 📩

#CameraFocus #Photographybusiness #Photographers

Nobody wants to talk about this.

I had 20 conversations with photographers this week.

Twenty.

Every single one of them needed help.

usiness changed almost overnight.

What used to work… just isn’t working anymore.

Leads slowed down.

Bookings dropped.

Confidence took a hit.

And here’s the interesting part.It’s not saturation.

There are 7.5 billion people in the world.

If you run a small photography business, how many clients do you actually need?

20?

30?

The problem isn’t that there aren’t enough people.

The problem is that what worked before isn’t working now.

Markets shift.

Buyer behavior shifts.

Attention shifts.

Strategies have to shift too.

But here’s what really stood out to me.

The hesitation.

The way help is immediately labeled as an expense.

Like going to a casino.

Like money walking out the door.

And I understand it.

When things feel uncertain, spending feels scary.

But there’s a difference between an expense…

…and an investment that generates revenue.

We’ll buy new gear.

Subscriptions.

Courses we never finish.

But when it comes to investing in something that directly impacts bookings and revenue?

uddenly it feels risky.

I’m not frustrated.

Just reflective.

Because the math is simple.

If something helps you generate more than it costs…

It’s not an expense.

It’s leverage.

If you’re feeling stuck right now...

If what used to work suddenly stopped...

Let’s talk.

Not because you need to “spend.”

But because you might need to shift.

And that shift could change everything.

This keeps it compassionate, firm, and clean.

Are we locking this in?

Talk to ya tomorrow,
Scott

I’ve spoken to 223 photographers over the past nine months.
Yes, I counted.

Want to know how many of them brought up profit?
Brace yourself....

Almost none.
Like… basically zero.

Now revenue?
Oh, we talked about that all day.

Big bookings.
Big launches.

Six-figure months.
Five-figure weddings.

New gear.
New logos.

New Instagram strategies.
New stress levels.

But profit?
Crickets.

Not one said, “I really want to increase my profit.”
And that should concern us.
Because revenue is loud.
Profit is sneaky.

Revenue buys the shiny lens.
Profit pays for it.

Revenue makes you feel important.
Profit makes you stable.

Revenue is what you post about.
Profit is what lets you sleep at night.

Back in 2022, I wrote my fourth book.
It was completely done.

Cover designed.
Back cover written.

Proofread.
Ready to print.

The title?
Focus on The Profits


I knew after COVID things were shifting.
Budgets were back.

Margins mattered again.
“Vibes” were no longer a business model.

And then I stopped.
Pulled the plug.
Maybe I thought people weren’t ready.
Maybe I got distracted by cameras again.

Because let’s be honest.
Talking gear is way more fun than talking spreadsheets.

But funny how life works.
It brings you back.

After 223 conversations.
After hearing the same pattern on repeat.

Celebrating revenue.
Quietly struggling with cash flow.

Incredible talent.
Confusing numbers.

I’m done avoiding it.
Completely.

Yes, we are camera-focused.
That’s not changing.

But from here forward?
We’re profit-focused too.
If you’re reading the Daily Focus emails, you’ll notice it.
It won’t be subtle.

More clarity.
More structure.

More talk about margins, pricing, expenses, and sustainability.
Less pretending revenue equals success.

Because talent without profit?
That’s an expensive hobby.

And I don’t want you running a hobby.
I want you running a business that actually pays you.

So keep reading.
We’re going back to the beginning.

And this time?
We’re building it on numbers that make sense.

Let's start from the beginning!

~ Scott

Write your death age to plan your life Plan your life with this strategy 💯

Photographer's Darkest Hour ⏳ Nat Geo to Book Launch 📚

#PhotographersJourney #BehindTheLens #PhotographyDreams

From Fear to Thousands 💸✨ My Sales Call Transformation Story 📞🚀💪

#SalesTransformation #FromFearToSuccess #SalesCallJourney

📸 Photographer's Lifetime Business — 3 Decades of Adventure 🌍✨

#PhotographyJourney #BehindTheLens #PhotographyLegacy

Brilliant Business Hack_ Pre-sell & Create Exclusive Demand 🚀💡🔥

#BusinessHack #PreSellStrategy #SmartMarketing

10-Year Plan_ How My North Star Guided Success ⭐🧭📈

#10YearPlan #GoalSetting #LeadershipMindset

Community Residences, Inc.

CRi  
Choice. Respect. independence.  
Do you live your life with Choice and have the ability to make personal choices about where you live, or the activities you participate in? 
Are you respected for who you are, and not disrespected based on what people see when they "look" at you?
Do you have independence, that is living your life to your fullest potential as independently as possible?

At CRi, every person has choices, respectfully treated and supported so they may live independent lives. 
Are you or your organization looking to make a difference or to be engaged with others who believe like I do in choice, respect and independence?

If so, reach out and I will share CRi's opportunities for Corporate Partnerships, Young Professionals Group, Individual or Corporate Volunteering.   Together we can bring change to individuals so often overlooked or unseen.

Manager of Corporate and Foundation Relations

Westminster Ingleside Foundation

The Westminster Ingleside Foundation supports the mission of Ingleside Continuing Care Retirement Communities offering engaged living for its residents and guaranteeing them a home for life, regardless of their abilty to pay should they outlive their assets and income.  The Foundation provides these resources along with providing donors opportunities to support their friends and neighbors in need. 

As Directory of Philanthropy, I manage Ingleside's Corporate Giving Program offering opportunities for corporate vendors and businesses to support the Foundation’s Giving Programs. 

Support the planning and completion of fundraising events at the Ingleside Communities, including working with committees consisiting of volunteers and staff, soliciting sponsorships and inkind gifts. 

Promote annual giving campaigns of Ingleside communities, including kickoff celebrations, donor cultivation, appeals and individual solicitations with donors.  

Write articles and stories for the Foundation’s publications: Gratitude, the Ingleside 2014 Annual Report, The Good We Do Social Accountability Report, and the Ingleside Newsletter.

Engage volunteer members of three Development Committees, including coaching, education, and sharing best practices for donor-centric fundraising.

Director of Philanthropy

Asian Center of Merrimack Valley, Inc.

The Asian Center of Merrimack Valley (name changed in July 2014 to Merrimack Valley Immigrant and Education Center) is the leading provider of education and naturalization services to the Greater Lawrence immigrant community.  As executive director I managed day to day operations, staffing and human resources, budgeting, marketing, development, fundraising, community outreach and much more.  Other services include elder services, preschool and youth educational activities.

• Manage all aspects of the organization including day-to-day operations, budget development, financial management, development and fundraising, marketing, human resources, Board development and relationships. 
• Proficient in all areas of grant research, including complex applications for both State and federal Funding opportunities
• Created work environment that promoted cultural diversity, strong sense of community, creativity and inclusiveness.
• Promoted citizenship growth through program development.
• Managed the foundation grant process including research, writing proposals, meeting with funders, allocating grant funds, and reporting on usage, providing outcomes and results. 
• Created annual development plan that included various fundraising activities; appeals, newsletters, annual reports, outreach and events.
• Excellent communication skills both oral and written..

Executive Director

Citizens for Adequate Housing

• Oversaw, developed and implemented Citizens for Adequate Housing' s annual development budget and plan including various revenue sources. 
• Developed and created marketing materials and activities including biannual appeals, newsletters, agency website, social media, and special events. 
• Built lasting relationships with individual and corporate donors through extensive stewardship and cultivation. 
• Managed development staff and created strong working relationships with Board of Directors
• Played an integral role in the management team, creating agency policies and procedures.
• Represented the organization in the local community.
• Researched and wrote foundation proposals for general operations, programs and capital expansion. Followed up with grant reports sharing results and outcomes.
• Planned and produced annual fundraising gala, community and legislative breakfasts.
• Recruited and coached qualified Boston Marathon runners to raise funding for shelter programs.
• Worked with volunteers on several committees: Special Events, Development and Marketing.
• Incorporated all staff in development plan, expectations and need for their support.
• Participated in annual strategic planning with the Executive Director and Board of Directors.

Director of Development

Lazarus House Ministries

Lazarus House is a gospel-based ministry and welcomes all in the name of God. They provide a continuum of care encompassing, but not limited to: food, shelter, clothing, advocacy, education, work preparation, a listening ear, a welcoming heart and the restoration of dignity and self-respect to people who are poor and in dire need. Since opening its doors as an emergency homeless shelter in 1983, Lazarus House has been breaking the cycle of poverty in the Merrimack Valley region.

Director of Volunteer Activities, Development Manager, (2005 – 2007)
Fostered relationships with donors and volunteers throughout the community.  

Recruited, trained and motivated over 2,000 volunteers annually, volunteers supported staff in the shelter, soup kitchen, food pantry, dental clinic, job training, ESOL and thrift stores.

Raised $100,000 through coordination of a 15-member running team that completed the Boston Marathon. Funding earmarked for food pantry and job training.

Development Manager (2001 – 2005)
Enhanced donor relationships throughl bi-annual appeal program, stewarding donors of all levels. 

Established "Hike for Hope," an walk that raised $125,000 in three years for transitional housing.

Increased outreach to religious and civic groups within the community, speaking publicly, soliciting major gifts, organizing food and clothing drives, recruiting volunteers, and spreading the organization's mission to surrounding towns.

Special Events and Communications Manager • 1997 – 2001
Increased sponsorships through special events, including establishing an annual breakfast and celebrity dinner, and created multiple sponsorship levels and in-kind contributions.

Wrote, edited and created marketing materials, newsletters, press releases, invitations, and brochures. Collaborated with management team to plan and establish the agency's initial website.

Development Manager

                             "Be the change you want the world to see,"  said Gandhi.                                                                                
I believe I am.  I am a change maker. Corny, yes! However, to be a part of change inspires me to do more. Identifying problems and asking yourself or others, "what is wrong with this picture?" Following up with "what can I do, or can we do to make things better?" Change might start with a dream or that tiny wish you had since you were in grade school.  Are you ready to get started and be the change? If you are, let's work together.

As an experienced philanthropy professional, my expertise includes donor engagement and stewardship, major donor cultivation, and aren't all donors Major Donors? I can ignite your corporate relationships, adding volunteer connections, and unique opportunities for corporate giving.  I an well versed in grants management, identifying funding opportunities through research, writing winning proposals (foundations, corporate sponsorship), and responses to RFP's.

I offer fiscal management and financial analysis, marketing and communication, strategic planning, event planning and delivery, organizational oversight and management, and building diverse Boards of Directors with a passion for all board roles, including fundraising.  

Reach out and learn more - together, we can create change and "be the change you want the world to see."


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Scott Proposki

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The Battle

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