Susanne Ekström

I Coach CEOs to Build Winning Companies Where People 💜 to Work (SME:s) | +$30M Client Profit Generated | Top Ranked Management & Leadership Creator Globally (#1 in Sweden) | Serial Entrepreneur

💡 Are you enthusiastic about waking up in the morning to be the master strategist of your company, or are you dreading another day spent fighting fires and not getting anything significant done?

👋 Hey! I'm Susanne, a CEO Coach, entrepreneur, #1 international bestselling author, and the founder of BeASmarterLeader and SEE Management.

𝐌𝐲 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧: To guide CEOs like you in reaching the top of your game.
I specialize in turning your big business dreams into reality, making your company richer, your team happier, and your business more robust.
And if you're up for it, we'll boost your bottom line by $499k in 99 days.


𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐈 𝐆𝐨𝐭 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞: Back in 2001, life was amazing. I co-owned a big Swedish dot.com company and started our Netherlands office. I invested my heart, time, and money into it. But then, everything fell apart when the company went bankrupt. I lost everything, and it was devastating—going from a dream job to no job at all.


𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐖𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠: We made these 4 epic failures!
⛔ We didn't delegate effectively
⛔ We weren't ready for massive growth
⛔ We didn't have streamlined processes in place
⛔ We, the C-Suite, stopped listening to our people


𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝: Combining 20+ years in management consulting, over a decade in leadership, and hard-earned lessons from my dot.com collapse led me to develop a foolproof system to help CEOs like you:
✅ Boost your profits
✅ Keep your best people
✅ 'Buy back' +8 hours a week
✅ Build a scalable business model for growth


Great leaders aren't born; they're made.
True transformation can be challenging, so I've designed my system to help you save time, reach your potential, and become a top-notch CEO. 


𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫: Strategies to:
⭐ 'Buy back' your time so you can lead, not be 'all-over the place'
⭐ Create a CEO role that you'll absolutely LOVE having
⭐ Create space for innovation & big-picture planning
⭐ Create trust, structure, and sustainable growth
⭐ Build a winning, scalable company culture



𝐌𝐲 𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬: CEOs of SME companies on the U.S. East Coast, Canada, and Europe.
But why is this Swedish lady targeting the U.S. and Canada?
The mindset around the importance and value of a coach differs in the US and Canada from the rest of the world. I also love to speak English.
𝘚𝘔𝘌 = 𝘚𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘔𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘶𝘮-𝘴𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘥 𝘌𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘦


𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩: Book a 15-minute Opportunity Call today!
👉 https://calendly.com/susanne-ekstrom/15mincall

Susanne Ekström
📞 +46 70 205 40 44
✉ susanne@beasmarterleader.com
🌐 www.beasmarterleader.com

Founder & CEO | BeaSmarterLeader

🔥 We help CEOs and Owners of Companies with $5-20 Million in Revenue, Strategically Work ON the Business Instead of Being Stuck IN it.

BeaSmarterLeader is 100% dedicated to helping CEOs and Owners across dynamic industries scale business operations and obtain unparalleled marketplace advantages to unlock transformative, growth-driven futures.

As the Founder & CEO, I work confidently with you while providing all of the dynamic tools and coaching methodologies required to take your business to the next level with The CEO Profit System!

Ultimately, I’m here to help enable the conditions for your peak performance, and you'll drive your business forward in ways previously unimagined. Sign up today to double your profits and cut your daily workload by 50% in less than 4 weeks!

👉 www.beasmarterleader.com/ceopsli (With a Large Discount)

If your people stopped telling you the truth tomorrow, how long would it take before you noticed?

Most CEOs wouldn’t know until it was too late.
And by then, trust, energy, and ideas would already be gone.

According to Gallup, only 3 in 10 employees strongly agree their opinions count at work.

This costs billions every year in lost engagement, missed opportunities, and slow decision-making.

The real question isn’t 𝘪𝘧 your people talk to you.
It’s 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺’𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘴𝘢𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦.

So... when you put on your clothes in the morning, put on your large ears too. 😉 

Because if you don’t, you’ll miss:
💢 The frustrations that drain motivation
💢 The bottlenecks your dashboards never show
💢 The small ideas that could become your next breakthrough

Why do so many CEOs stop listening?

Usually it’s:
↳ A lack of time
↳ A lack of focus

Another reason is, sadly:
↳ A lack of interest (and/or courage) 

Make time.
Create space.
Ask questions that matter.

Then, truly, listen to the answers.
💢 See the problem areas 
💢 Document what you see & hear 
💢 Thank your people for their input 
💢 Do something about it (if prioritized) 
💢 Leave feedback about what's happening 

Leadership isn’t about having all the answers.
It’s about hearing the truth early enough to act on it.

PS. Use your large ears, but don't be all ears... 💜
Always listen with purpose.

Order My Latest Leadership Book In My Featured Section 💫

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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The Battle

Susanne Ekström

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Engagements

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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);}Susanne Ekström's LinkedIn Performance

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