The quickest way to choose is to name the decision first and the service second. If the question is "should we grow, and where?", you need a growth plan. If it's "why aren't enough of the right customers finding us?", you need a marketing strategy. If it's "why does everything still run through me?", you need operations advice. And if it's one specific question with a deadline, book an hourly session.
All four are business and marketing consulting. We don't install, repair or service anything, and we don't act as your accountant or lawyer.
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Growth and expansion planning
Test a second location, a new service line or a new part of the city on paper before you commit money to it.
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Marketing strategy and budget
A written plan that says which customers to chase, which channels to fund, how much to spend and how you will know it worked.
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Operations advice
Tighten quoting, scheduling, follow-up and first hires so the business runs on routines instead of on the owner's memory.
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Hourly strategy sessions
Bring one decision, such as a lease, an agency quote or a price change, and leave with a clear recommendation.
Growth and expansion planning
Choose this when you're weighing a move that would commit real money for a year or more. Typical examples in Coquitlam are a second location near a SkyTrain station, a new service line, or extending your service area into Port Moody, Port Coquitlam or Burnaby.
We build a simple model of each option, work out the break-even point in customers per month, and test the assumptions against what you already know about your market. You finish with a short written recommendation and a 12-month sequence of steps. Details are on the growth and expansion planning page.
Usually priced as a project, because the work has a clear start and finish.
Marketing strategy and budget
Choose this when you're spending money on marketing but can't say which part of it pays. It also suits owners who have never had a written marketing plan and are tired of reacting to whichever sales rep called last.
The strategy defines your most profitable customers, the few channels worth funding, a monthly budget tied to your margins, and the three or four numbers you'll check every month. We don't run your ads; the plan is written so your staff, a freelancer or an agency can carry it out. See marketing strategy and budget.
Usually a project, sometimes followed by a light retainer for quarterly reviews.
Operations advice
Choose this when demand is fine but the business is struggling to keep up. Signs include quotes going out days late, customers who never hear back, jobs booked twice, and an owner who can't take a week off.
We map how work actually flows from first enquiry to final payment, find the two or three points where it stalls, and write simple routines and checklists to fix them. We also help with the order of first hires and which tasks to hand over first. See operations advice.
Usually a project for the review, then a retainer if you want help putting the changes in place.
Hourly strategy sessions
Choose this when you have one decision and a deadline. A landlord has offered you a renewal. An agency has sent a proposal. You're thinking about raising prices 8% in January. A supplier wants an exclusive deal.
You send the documents ahead of time, we read them before the session, and you leave with a clear recommendation and the reasons behind it. See hourly strategy sessions.
Priced by the hour, between $175 and $350 depending on the work involved.
A quick way to decide
| Your situation | Start with |
|---|---|
| "We're thinking about opening, expanding or adding something" | Growth and expansion planning |
| "We spend on marketing but can't tell what's working" | Marketing strategy and budget |
| "We're busy, but it's chaos and I'm the bottleneck" | Operations advice |
| "I need an answer on one thing this month" | Hourly strategy session |
| "All of the above" | An hourly session first, to set the order |
When more than one row fits, fix operations before you push marketing harder. Sending more customers into a business that already loses track of enquiries mostly produces more disappointed customers.
What every engagement includes
Whatever you choose, a few things stay the same:
- A written scope and price before any paid work begins, as described on our pricing page.
- Advice from a senior strategist, not a junior account manager.
- Recommendations you can read in ten minutes and act on the same week.
- No lock-in. You can stop after any piece of work.
If the right choice still isn't obvious, read how we approach different parts of Coquitlam, browse the frequently asked questions, or simply call, text or email and describe the decision. We'll tell you which service fits, or whether you need one at all.
Frequently asked questions
Can I combine services?
Yes, and many owners do. A common pattern is a growth plan first, then a marketing strategy that serves it, with a few hourly sessions afterwards to check progress. We price each piece separately so you can stop after any of them.
Which service should I start with if I'm not sure?
Start with an hourly strategy session. In one or two hours we can usually tell whether your problem is about growth, marketing or operations, and recommend the next step in writing.
Do you carry out the plan or hand it over?
Both are possible. Project work ends with a written plan your team can follow. On a retainer we stay involved month to month and help your staff or outside suppliers put the plan into practice.
Do you provide accounting or legal advice?
No. We work with your numbers to make business decisions, but tax, bookkeeping, contracts and leases should be reviewed by your accountant or lawyer. We'll tell you when a question needs one of them.