Frequently Asked Questions

Is the initial consultation really free?

Yes, absolutely. The initial consultation is complimentary with no obligation. We use this time to understand your situation and determine if there's a good fit for working together. This typically includes a 45-60 minute conversation where we discuss your business challenges, goals, and explore whether our approach aligns with your needs.

What should I prepare for the initial consultation?

Come prepared to discuss:

Your current business challenges and pain points
Where you want to take your business in the next 1-3 years
What's worked and what hasn't in the past
Your leadership team structure and capabilities
Any specific concerns about growth, profitability, or operations

No need to bring financials or detailed documents to the first call—we'll discuss what's needed if we move forward.

How do I know if Brightline Advisory is right for my business?

Brightline Advisory is a great fit if:

You're committed to systematic growth, not just working harder
You're willing to invest time in strategic planning and implementation
You want honest, direct advice from someone with real operational experience
You're ready to build systems and develop your leadership team
You value financial discipline and measurable results

We're not right for everyone. If you're looking for quick fixes, aren't willing to examine how you operate, or expect consultants to do the work for you, we're probably not a good match.

Do you work with companies outside your listed industries?

Yes! While we have deep expertise in transportation, waste management, professional services, and trade services, our frameworks and strategic planning approach work across many industries. The fundamental challenges of scaling a business—leadership development, financial management, strategic planning, and operational systems—are largely universal.

Contact us to discuss your specific situation. If we don't think we're the right fit, we'll tell you honestly and may be able to suggest alternative resources.

What happens after the initial consultation?

If we both feel there's a good fit, the typical next steps are:

Business Assessment: We conduct a comprehensive diagnostic of your current state, challenges, and opportunities
Proposal Development: Based on the assessment, we develop a clear recommendation including approach, timeline, deliverables, and investment
Engagement Agreement: If you decide to move forward, we formalize the engagement and set kickoff dates
Implementation Begins: We start working together based on the agreed plan

This process typically takes 2-3 weeks from initial consultation to engagement start.

What services does Brightline Advisory offer?

Our core services include:

Strategic Planning & Advisory: Facilitated strategic planning, quarterly reviews, and ongoing advisory support
Framework Implementation: EOS, Scaling Up, Metronomics, or custom operating system implementation
Fractional CFO Services: Part-time financial leadership for companies not ready for a full-time CFO
Leadership Development: Executive coaching and leadership team development
Leadership Circle: Peer cohort programs for waste industry leaders (Incubator and Accelerator)

Many clients work with us across multiple service areas as their needs evolve.

What's your approach to consulting?

Our approach is practical, hands-on, and focused on implementation:

No ivory tower theory: We bring real operational experience from building and scaling businesses
Financial grounding: Every recommendation considers financial impact and feasibility
Systems over heroics: We build sustainable systems, not dependency on individual heroics
Implementation support: We don't just create plans—we help you execute them
Honest feedback: We tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear

How hands-on will you be with my business?

Our level of involvement depends on the service and your needs:

Strategic Advisory: Regular touchpoints (typically monthly or quarterly) with you doing the day-to-day implementation.

Fractional CFO: Very hands-on with your financial operations, reporting, and strategic financial decisions. We become part of your leadership team.

Framework Implementation: Intensive facilitation during implementation phase, then ongoing oversight and coaching as your team takes ownership.

In all cases, our goal is to build your team's capability—we're not trying to create dependency, we're trying to make you more capable and self-sufficient.

What if I'm not sure which service I need?

That's perfectly fine and actually very common. Part of our consultation is helping you identify which approach makes the most sense for your current situation and goals. We'll discuss:

Your most pressing challenges and opportunities
Your current team capabilities and capacity
Where you are in your business growth stage
What outcomes you're trying to achieve

Based on this conversation, we'll recommend the approach we believe will deliver the best results for your specific situation.

Will you work with my existing accountant/CFO/advisors?

Absolutely. We're not trying to replace your existing relationships—we're trying to complement them. We work collaboratively with:

CPAs/Accountants: They handle compliance and tax; we focus on strategic financial management
Attorneys: We coordinate on business structure, contracts, and strategic legal needs
Industry consultants: We integrate with operational or technical consultants you're working with
Bankers/Lenders: We help prepare materials and communicate effectively with your financial partners

Good advisors don't compete—they coordinate to serve the client's best interests.

How much does it cost to work with Brightline Advisory?

Investment varies by service and engagement scope. Typical ranges:

Strategic Advisory: $3,000-$8,000/month depending on frequency and depth of engagement
Fractional CFO: $4,000-$10,000/month based on company size and complexity
Framework Implementation: $5,000-$15,000/month during active implementation phase
Leadership Circle: $1,500-$1,800/month (founding member rates)
One-Time Projects: $5,000-$25,000 depending on scope

We'll provide a clear, specific proposal after understanding your situation and needs.

What kind of ROI should I expect?

ROI varies by company and engagement type, but clients typically see returns through:

Margin improvement: 2-5 percentage points through better pricing and cost management
Revenue growth: 15-30% through better strategy execution and accountability
Time savings: 5-15 hours per week for owners through improved systems and delegation
Cash flow improvement: 30-90 days improvement in cash conversion cycle
Enterprise value increase: 20-50% through improved systems and reduced owner dependency

Most clients tell us the investment pays for itself multiple times over within the first year.

What's the typical engagement length?

Engagement length depends on the service:

Strategic Advisory: Ongoing relationship, typically reviewed quarterly. Many clients work with us for years.
Fractional CFO: Ongoing engagement, minimum 6-12 months to see meaningful impact
Framework Implementation: 12-18 months for full implementation, then optional ongoing support
Leadership Circle: 12-month commitment
Project Work: 1-6 months depending on scope

We believe in building long-term relationships, but we're also pragmatic about what makes sense for each client.

How do you structure payments?

Payment structures vary by engagement type:

Monthly Retainer: Fixed monthly fee for ongoing advisory, fractional CFO, or framework implementation work
Project-Based: 50% deposit, 50% on completion for defined project work
Hybrid: Monthly retainer plus project fees for specific deliverables

Payments are typically made by ACH or check. We require 30 days notice for any changes to ongoing engagements.

Can we start with something smaller before a full engagement?

Absolutely! Many clients start with:

Strategic Planning Workshop: Single-day or two-day facilitated planning session to create clarity and alignment
Business Assessment: Comprehensive diagnostic of your current state with recommendations
Framework Assessment: Determine which framework fits your business best
Quarterly Advisory Trial: One quarter of advisory services before committing to ongoing work

These smaller engagements let you experience our approach and see results before committing to full implementation.

What's the difference between EOS, Scaling Up, and Metronomics?

While all three are excellent business operating systems, they have different strengths:

EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System):

Simple, straightforward approach
Great for service businesses, distributors, small manufacturers
Focus on clarity, accountability, and traction
Easier to learn and implement

Scaling Up:

More comprehensive and detailed
Best for technology companies and businesses planning rapid growth
Strong focus on the four key areas: People, Strategy, Execution, Cash
More tools and frameworks to choose from

Metronomics:

Focus on predictable execution rhythms
Cascading priorities throughout the organization
Strong emphasis on team cohesion and culture
Built-in measurement and accountability systems

We'll help you choose based on your industry, culture, and growth goals.

Do I have to choose a framework?

No, you don't have to implement a formal framework. Many clients work with us on strategic advisory or fractional CFO services without adopting EOS, Scaling Up, or Metronomics.

However, we do believe strongly in systematic approaches to business management. If you don't want to adopt a formal framework, we'll help you develop custom systems that create similar benefits: clarity, accountability, strategic alignment, and disciplined execution.

The framework is less important than having some systematic approach to how you run your business.

How long does framework implementation take?

Timeline varies by framework:

EOS Implementation: 6-9 months for full implementation, with quarterly sessions ongoing
Scaling Up Implementation: 9-12 months for comprehensive rollout
Metronomics Implementation: 6-12 months depending on organization size
Custom Systems: 6-12 months depending on complexity

However, you'll see improvements within the first 90 days. Full implementation takes time because we're building lasting organizational capability, not just doing a one-time project.

How much time will this require from me and my team?

Initial time investment is significant but decreases as systems take hold:

During Implementation (first 3-6 months):

Leadership team: 4-8 hours per month in facilitated sessions
Owner: Additional 2-4 hours per month in one-on-one coaching
Some homework assignments between sessions

After Implementation:

Quarterly strategic sessions: 4-6 hours per quarter
Regular team meetings using new rhythms: Built into ongoing operations

The time investment pays for itself quickly through increased efficiency and better decision-making.

What if we try this and it doesn't work?

We're confident in our approach, but we also know that fit matters. Here's how we handle this:

Before We Start: Thorough assessment during consultation to ensure mutual fit. We'll be honest if we don't think we can help.

During Engagement: Regular check-ins to ensure we're on track. If something isn't working, we adjust the approach.

If Fit Issues Arise: We discuss openly and either modify the approach or part ways professionally. We don't lock clients into engagements that aren't working.

Most importantly, we establish clear success metrics upfront so you can objectively evaluate whether the engagement is delivering value.