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

Positioning the Exceptional. Build your post-exit venture in public ✍🏼 Ghostwriter + Strategist.

If you want to :

- Sell your B2B services through Linkedin that CFOs beg to buy
- Close $1M in deals (minimum) without building a personal brand
- Cash in on sales through LinkedIn everytime you post  
- Outsmart every competitor in your market

DM me "window" for early access to my private program



Stéphanie Lauer

When you realize the handshakes at $100K trade show booths aren’t actually booking the $1M projects you travelled 38 hours for (even if the whole team showed up in matching shirts) and then you see the logo you flew in for, right there at booth 21…

…that’s when it hits you.

You are so done competing over an RFQ that has been mentally awarded to your competitor 6 months to ago.

By day two it dawns on you: the real buying decision already happened somewhere else.

When their loyal supplier fucks up. Quality issues showed up. The domino effect are millions lost had procurement on chokehold - “we need a second source.”

That emergency has procurement in search mode.

The stack of business cards thick enough stopped convincing yourself it was working.

60–70% of B2B buying decisions are shaped before the first sales call.

You’re often competing in a conversation that already started without you.

And today that conversation is happening in one place more than anywhere else:

LinkedIn.

I see it constantly in my clients inboxes.

A buyer reads a precise post about a production crisis they’re already dealing with.

They send a message.

A few exchanges later…

It turns into a $500K–$1M opportunity.

A post can you past any gatekeeper: it’s compressing exactly what your buyer needs to hear at the moment they are facing a real crisis you solve:

- a supplier they no longer trust
- a production delay threatening a launch
- a redesign cycle burning six months
- a CFO asking uncomfortable questions

Do that 3–4 times a week and you start conversations that skip multiple trust layers almost instantly.

Especially in manufacturing.

Because right now?

Most of the industry is still spending 6 figures to shake hands…While the vendor decision gets made in silence months earlier - without you.

I partner with founders (at $5M–$30M) so their buyers say yes to 1M+ deals. Subscribe below:

It’s 9:12pm after a trade show…You spent $100K on the booth in the corner. Got 187 business cards. And you already know Monday will be your team chasing gatekeepers.

You sell a $1M+ solution…but you’re still trying to sneak past assistants like it’s 2009.

Meanwhile the VP of Ops you want is scrolling LinkedIn on the commute.

They read a post about:
- a $2M supplier switch mistake
- a delay that killed a launch window
- a redesign that burned 6 months

They send it to the CFO. Now your name is in the room.
No more gatekeepers.

A call gets booked…Your rep closes. Onboarding starts on Wednesday.

Most CEOs hire more reps, buy more lists. Send more “quick question” emails. 

While the budget gets allocated to fund your competitor.

Because your competitor has credible positioning.

I fix client acquisition systems so $500K–$1M manufacturing deals start in DMs instead of trade show booths.

60–70% of B2B decisions happen before the first sales call.

They reach out with a Linkedin message telling you how one delayed production cycle burned $500K–$2M in redesigns, supplier changes, and missed launch windows.

No gatekeeper can block a name that’s already trusted

Less than 10% of manufacturers do this well.

Most are still dialing.

You’ll forecast another $200k-$500k per quarter in projects when you stop sending linkedin inquiries away to your email.

Everytime i read about a big opportunity in my clients messages, we ask a few questions first to: 

(1) qualify the lead before wasting everyones time. I usually ask at what stage they’re in, which always tells me how much capital they’re then willing to invest with us next.

(2) build tension. asking questions before sending them your calendly link builds curiosity instead of killing it with “sure send me an email”.

The people who understand this close $200k - $500k projects directly out of messages. 

Sometimes even without going on calls.

taplio

The Battle

Scott Proposki

Stéphanie Lauer

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taplio

The Battle

Scott Proposki

Stéphanie Lauer

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);}Scott Proposki's LinkedIn Performance

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