Operational Strategy For
$1mm–$5mm Creative Agencies

You started your firm with big ideas and a drive to do great work. I bring the structure and discipline to turn your vision into a thriving, profitable business — the one you set out to build in the first place.

The Problem

You’re Working For The Business, Not On The Business

Even the most driven principals with color-coded task lists and carefully prioritized goals can’t do it all. And let’s be real, the work that gets pushed aside is usually the long-term, strategic stuff that builds the business you actually want to run.

Even with a solid team and clients who love you, your firm can still feel stuck. If you want to grow, stay sane, and stop holding the business together with duct tape, it’s time to zoom out and aim further ahead.

You can keep hitting your goals and steer toward a more sustainable future — but not by doing it all alone.

The Solution

Unlocking Your Agency’s Untapped Potential

Tom Hart, Operations Consultant

I help you fix what feels too big, too complex, or too awkward to tackle — and turn those pain points into real strengths.

Together, we’ll clarify your financial picture, streamline how you work, and make room for your creative vision to shine. The growth and stability you’ve been craving? It’s closer than you think.

1

Review and diagnose

We start with a focused assessment of your financials and operations — fast, not fluffy. I’ll help you spot what’s dragging down your profits, draining your time, or simply not adding value. No long audits. Just real insights, real quick.

2

Prescribe the treatment

We design the right plan for your firm — tailored, practical, and built to stick. That might include a clear sales mandate, tighter project management, or sharper accountability across the team. We’ll add just enough structure to boost performance without stifling your culture.

3

Measure the change

You’ll know what’s working because we’ll track it. I set clear performance goals and hold the team accountable to results — not vibes. The goal: sustainable profitability and a healthier, more valuable business.

The Five Common Scenarios

These aren’t problems — they’re common milestones in a business journey. Wherever you are, I’ll meet you there and help you get to what’s next.

1
Survival

You’re barely keeping the lights on. Sales are shaky. The team’s looking to you for answers, and you’re feeling the pressure. You need clarity fast — what to fix, what to pause, who to keep — and a realistic plan for getting through it.

2
Profit Focus

You’ve stabilized, but there’s debt to pay or opportunity to seize. You want to make the most of the moment — without burning out or making calls you’ll regret. I’ll help you maximize margin, move with confidence, and keep your momentum.

3
Contraction

It’s time to tighten up. You’re stretched thin and your team isn’t delivering the return you need. Letting people go is hard, and figuring out how to operate with less can feel overwhelming. I’ll help you cut carefully and rebuild smarter.

4
Expansion

The market’s right or a new service is gaining traction. You want to grow — but hiring, org design, and smart bets feel risky. I’ll help you expand strategically, with the right roles, systems, and financial footing.

5
Exit

You’re ready for what’s next — whether that’s selling the business or stepping back. Either way, you want to leave behind a company that can thrive without you. We’ll get things in order and set you up to move on with confidence.

“Tom implemented systems and processes that have transformed our operations, enabling us to consistently deliver projects on deadline and with 40% improved profitability.”

Tom Conlon, CEO @ North Street Creative

“Tom’s unique blend of professionalism, charisma, and patience lands him in the upper ranks of operations management.”

Matthew Amundson, COO @ Lemonade Creative

Services

Support For When You Need It Most — And After

Most clients come to me when things feel urgent. Once we fix the immediate issues, we keep going — building a stronger, more sustainable business together.

Here’s what I bring to the table.

  • Sometimes the real issues are hiding in plain sight. That’s where I come in. I offer a steady outside perspective to help you cut through the noise, challenge assumptions, and see what’s really going on.

    My coaching is practical, honest, and grounded in your reality — built to help you lead with clarity, make confident decisions, and bring order to the chaos.

  • The strongest firms know exactly who they are, what they do best, and who they do it for. Getting clear on your positioning helps you stop chasing distractions and start saying no with confidence.

    Once your strategy is locked in, we’ll make sure your CRM supports it — not clutters it. With the right systems in place, you’ll see where your efforts are paying off and where to focus next.

  • Big goals don’t happen by accident — they’re built through clear decisions and steady progress.

    We’ll break your long-term vision into practical, measurable milestones so you know exactly what to do now, next, and later. Whether you’re planning for the next quarter or the next decade, you’ll move forward with clarity, confidence, and a roadmap that actually works.

  • Whether you’re growing or tightening up, the right org structure is key to doing it well.

    I’ll map out a team structure that plays to your people’s strengths and supports your goals — whether that means scaling up, slimming down, or just getting clearer on who owns what. Along the way, I’ll spot inefficiencies others tend to overlook and make the changes that actually move the needle.

    The result? A focused, flexible team that knows where it’s headed and how to get there.

  • Every new hire shapes your culture — so let’s make sure you’re bringing in the right people, the right way.

    I’ll help you build a hiring process that’s clear, thoughtful, and designed to surface real fit. From well-crafted job descriptions to interviews that reflect your values, every step will work in service of your culture. Once they’re in the door, I’ll design onboarding that sets expectations, builds momentum, and makes new hires feel like part of the team from day one.

    Great teams don’t just happen — they’re built with intention. I’ll help you do exactly that.

  • Strong businesses are built on solid financial footing — and that starts with visibility.

    I’ll help you get a clear, accurate picture of where your money’s going and what it’s telling you. From smarter budgeting to setting up the right metrics and decision-making frameworks, you’ll gain the tools to manage confidently — whether you’re stabilizing, scaling, or just getting out of the dark.

    Because when you know your numbers, you can actually use them.

  • I prefer playbooks over rigid processes — because real life rarely follows a script.

    You’ll face unexpected curveballs, whether it’s a random Tuesday mess or a full-blown fire that needs putting out. A good playbook doesn’t just tell you what to do — it helps you think strategically, adapt quickly, and respond with confidence.

    Instead of prescribing a fixed set of rules, I design playbooks that make you and your team more resilient, resourceful, and ready for whatever comes your way.

  • Sometimes the fastest win comes from knowing what to let go.

    I’m great at spotting the baggage that’s slowing you down — whether it’s clunky processes, overlapping roles, or tools that aren’t earning their keep. A quick look behind the curtain usually reveals simple ways to streamline, simplify, and move forward with a lot less friction.

Contact

Let’s Turn Potential Into Profit — Without The Guesswork

You’ve built something great. Now let’s make it stronger, more sustainable, and easier to run.

We’ll start with a conversation about where you are and where you want to go.

Tomorrow’s business starts with today’s clarity.