PROFIT & GROWTH STRATEGISTS

 

Take Control of the Numbers
that Drive Your Business.

We help small business owners create freedom of time and money using our
straightforward framework to manage profit and cash.

 

UNDERSTAND YOUR
FINANCIAL HEALTH.

Financial data can be confusing. We help you understand the ‘why’ behind them and what drives your revenue, profit and cash so you can be intentional about growth.

FOCUS ON WHAT MATTERS.

You’re wearing so many hats and there’s endless tasks to do. We help you understand where you should focus to make a real difference in your business.
  

STOP BEING
ALONE.

Business ownership can be a lonely place. We help you take the guesswork out of running your business and we’ll be by your side, giving you peace-of-mind.

WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS SAY…

“Five years in to building a company, I had a bookkeeper and accountant in place — but I was looking for someone who could help me look at the numbers and draw strategic conclusions. Ascendwise has exceeded my expectations. Their framework helps me spot trends, connect important dots, and make key strategy and spending decisions. Bruce brings a wealth of practical business experience to each discussion, makes insightful observations, and gives excellent advice.”

Kirsten, Rethink Compliance (2021 Inc. 5000)

“Bruce has been an invaluable help to our business. He has been a guiding hand in helping understand the numbers that drive our business. I regularly look forward to our check in meetings. Bruce’s approach and communication style make him easy to follow, and a pleasure to work with. I highly recommend Bruce and Ascendwise to anyone who wants to take full control of the numbers that steer your business.”

Justin, Drainworks Plumbing & Septic

“Ascendwise has helped me define what I want out of my business and develop a crystal clear plan on how to get there. I always know exactly where we stand against the plan and they’re helping us understand where to improve weak, or blind, spots in critical functions of the business which have real impact in our profits. I now feel like I’d be lost without this partnership.”

Eric, All Knowing Parent

“As a new small business owner your first task is to have financial clarity. A clear path on how to reach your financial/ revenue goals. You will save yourself from many stressful days and the possibility of going bankrupt. I recommend Ascendwise to help your business thrive.”

Chanovia, Entrepreneur

Psst…your numbers are trying to tell you something
but you don’t know what it is.

We translate those confusing numbers into a story – a story which you can take action on to improve your profits and build a thriving business. A business which can work
without you – not because of you.

No accounting speak. No need to be a finance guru.
No nonsense. Just results.

COMMON PAIN POINTS WE HELP SOLVE

Your business falls apart without you.

The Problem: You being the expert in your craft is an advantage to getting the business started but now it’s become a disadvantage. You wear all the hats – the ones you’re good at and the ones you’re not good at. At this point you can’t grow the business because you’re too busy being the business.

The Solution: We help you build a business which can work without you working in every role or working longer and harder.

You don't have enough profit or cash and don't know why.

The Problem: You don’t have the cash you want or need and without the cash you cannot create more profit. You’re stuck.

The Solution: We help you make more money from your business so you can pay yourself more or re-invest it back into the business to generate more cash. We will spot the red flags and opportunities for increasing profit margin without necessarily increasing sales.

You don't have a simple way to know what's working/not working in the business.

The Problem: Standard financial reports are confusing because they weren’t made for you (a business owner) – they were made for accountants, investors and Wall Street. Next, your bookkeeper or accountant (you know, the numbers people) are not paid to help you understand how to grow your business because they focus on recording past transactions. Most reporting software only shows outcomes, not how to change outcomes or how to improve.

The Solution: We build a scoreboard for your business so you’ll always understand not just your financial health but what functions of your business are working as they should.

You don't have clear goals, or a vision, for your business.

The Problem: You started a business and business happened. You never had a chance to reflect on what you need out of the business or what you want it to be “when it grows up” so, you’re driving without a destination. Because of this, you cannot set goals, or targets, for what drives your revenue, profit and cash flow.

The Solution: We help you establish clear goals for your business down to what drives revenue, profit and cash flow so we create the outcome you want rather than hope it happens.

You don't know what to focus on or what to do next.

The Problem: There’s no shortage of things you can do on a daily basis but you don’t know what to focus on to make a difference in your profit and cash flow…your bank account. You don’t have a trusted resource or a system to help understand where to focus you and your team’s efforts.

The Solution: We develop a plan for your business and help you see where to focus your time and resources. When this plan is achieved, you will hit your goals and have a growing, more profitable business generating the cash you want as the owner.

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS

1. THE TARGETS

In the first few weeks we will get to know you and your business, understanding your goals.

Right away we will build a plan designed to improve the profit and cash flow of your business and achieve the goals.

 

2. THE ASSESSMENT

Each month we will analyze your business and financial health.

We will determine exactly what’s holding you back from more profit, cash flow and achieving the established goals for you and the business.

 

3. THE SCOREBOARD

Each month we will give you a straightforward business scoreboard.

This will clearly show you what’s going right and what’s going wrong in the business. Don’t worry, it’s built for business owners, not accountants.

4. THE ACTION PLAN

You will always know what to focus on this month, no more confusion.

We help you develop a short list of the most important “next steps” that need to happen in the next 30-days to stay on track.

After our kickoff process and target setting is complete, we will meet monthly via Zoom to discuss your business owners’ scoreboard and your Action Plan. While this is happening, you’ll be building a better business, one which can survive without you, not because of you.

When you need us in between, you reach out and we help. Whether it’s a question about your Action Plan, you’re stuck on a challenge or decision, or you need a simple tool to better run your business, we help you. This is what it means to have us by your side.

Examples of other decisions we can help with: understanding breakeven or ROI, analyzing cost of sales/gross profit, pricing analysis, analyzing marketing spend and more.

COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT WORKING WITH US:

Who do we best work with?

While many of the businesses we work with are service-based (B2C & B2B), we are industry agnostic because our approach and framework make for a solid foundation for any business, no matter what the business provides.

With that said, we focus more on determining if we are a good fit to work with the business owner.

Common qualities are: Those who are ready to grab the bull by the horns. You’re either sick of how things are or need guidance getting to the next level. Things are getting bigger, fast and you need help. You’re an action taker and not looking for a silver bullet, you’re ready to act with intentionality and purpose. While our framework and process works, it requires your effort to work ON your business (but we’ll guide you).

How are you different from my bookkeeper or CPA?

They record your past transactions, we use the data they record (in addition to other data) to inform the work we do together. We are here to help you understand what’s working and what’s not working in your business and what to do about it and our analysis extends beyond your basic financial statements. We tell you what’s working and not working in your business – down to marketing, sales and operational issues.

We are here to monitor and improve profit and cash flow while helping you get from where you are today, to what helps you achieve your vision and goals.

I don't like talking numbers - will this still work?

Yes. The numbers and your data simply inform us of how your business is performing, in what areas. Some customers like discussing their numbers in depth, some don’t. Either way is fine. What’s important is, we at Ascendwise know what numbers to look at to help you grow your business and where to go next to do so.

How often do we meet and how?

We will meet monthly via Zoom. However, if you are faced with a question on your action plan items, confused about next steps or need to talk through a challenge in your business, we encourage you to reach out. We are here to see you succeed.

Do I have to sign a contract?

No. We prefer to keep customers due to results, not contracts. We value relationships built on trust and performance over legalities.

How much does this cost?

We need to go through the free financial assessment to give you an exact price, but we charge a monthly fixed fee because…

1. It’s straightforward and you always know what to expect.
2. We don’t want you to feel nickel and dimed by reaching out to have us help you. Our ultimate goal is to help you be more profitable and thrive and a phone call or email shouldn’t get in the way of that.

Everything you spend money on should have an ROI and we’re no exception. If we’re a good fit to work together, we believe we will more than cover our monthly fee from helping you increase profits.

We simply won’t take from a small business where we cannot do that.

With that said, we offer a quarterly or annual clarity session for customers who are not yet a ‘right fit’ for our monthly program due to size. You’ll leave the session with the same clear path to achieving your goals, and a plan of action, as our monthly customers do.

SIDE EFFECTS OF WORKING WITH US MAY INCLUDE:

  • MORE CASH. Keep more of your sales in your pocket.
  • MARGINS GROWTH. More efficient with your time & profit.
  • LESS HEADACHES. Reduced confusion, stress & worry.
  • CLARITY. Know what areas of your business work, or not.
  • FOCUS. Know where to spend your time as business owner.
  • DIRECTION. Know where you’re going and how to get there.
  • FREEDOM. Of time & money. (Maybe a vacation?)
  • INCREASED VALUE. Your business will be worth more.

GETTING STARTED IS EASY

1. Book a call – let’s make sure we’re a fit.

2. We give you a FREE financial assessment.

3. Get started with your new Chief Profit Officer and have a clear plan for this year in the first 2 weeks!