World renowned business coaching & consulting for growing companies
When was the last time you took a deep dive into your business?
Our business advisors help owners accelerate and sustain growth with a proven business growth methodology for every stage, from startup and scaling to exit and succession planning.
Business coaching and consulting for owners in every industry, from startups to the Fortune 500.
Real owners. Real growth.
From launching a franchise to taking a company public, here is what business owners say after working with 7 Stage Advisors.
Launching a Franchise – and Going International!
“Carl, I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate everything you do for me. I know we have had a lot to learn and grow through, but it’s working. We are making so much progress. I couldn’t do this without you and I am eternally grateful for all your help.”
Become the Authority in Your Sector!
“I’ve seen and experienced the results 7 Stage Advisors have consistently been able to achieve and I have to tell you, it’s amazing stuff! Their ability to quickly identify the problem then zone in and focus on practical, realistic and achievable solutions is outstanding. Carl and the team at 7 Stage Advisors produce great results… it’s as simple as that!”
Going Public – the IPO!
“When we first founded Velocity Shares we worked closely with 7 Stage Advisors, and their insights played a central role in helping us establish a strong foundation. Carl is an expert on entrepreneurship, team building, leadership, execution and modeling excellence. I highly recommend them.”
7 Stages from startup to succession.
At the heart of 7 Stage Advisors is a proven business coaching and consulting methodology, documented in the critically acclaimed book The 7 Stages of Small-Business Success. Every business moves through the same seven stages. Knowing which one you are in tells you what to fix, what to build next and what to ignore for now. The methodology has helped thousands of small and mid-sized businesses worldwide grow sales, refine their lead generation systems, improve cash flow and build companies that run without the owner.
Strategic Planning
“A Dream Is Born”Map out your goals and strategies for starting and growing the business. “Planning to succeed” is 100% true, and successful companies follow plans.
Specialty
“A Job Is Born”Figure out where you are in the market and how you’ll stand out. Develop a point of difference, grow your expertise and become an industry leader.
Synergy
“A Sandbox Is Born”No matter how good you are, you can’t grow without good teams. Develop leaders for each part of the company, stop doing everything and let others do their jobs.
Systems
“A True Business Is Born”Decide the best way to get things done, from requesting vacation time to answering government RFQs. Repeatable systems let your teams exceed expectations consistently.
Sustainability
“A Scalable Business Is Born”Build a business that scales. With your strategy, team and systems in place, you can replicate what works, open new markets or locations and keep growing year after year.
Salability
“An Asset Is Born”Whether you sell or hand it off, shape the business into a profitable asset that appeals to buyers, partners or the next generation.
Succession
“A Legacy Is Born”Map out your exit. Sell, hand it off or take more vacations. Whichever you choose, the company keeps running profitably after you leave.
Most firms go through one or two stages, and some settle into stage 4 or 5. Find out which stage you’re in → or read about every stage.
Job one is to beat the odds. Then it’s time to thrive.
Big profits don’t fall from the sky. People get lucky for a few months, maybe a year, but not year after year. Owners who build 7-figure businesses learn how to run their firms to grow quickly and profitably, one stage at a time, with a clear business growth strategy.
Start with a free Business Analysis. Then build.
Your journey with us begins with a comprehensive, free business analysis to pinpoint exactly where your business stands within the 7-Stage Growth Cycle™. More importantly, we identify where you aspire to be. This first step gives you and our team the clarity to tailor our strategies to your unique situation.
Contact us
Business Analysis
We dive deep into your operations, strategies and market position to find growth opportunities and areas to improve, then hand you actionable insights and a tailored roadmap to grow faster, run leaner and earn more.
Get your free analysis →Anatomy for Scale
Our business advisors understand your challenges and goals. Gain the strategies, tools and perspective to overcome obstacles and move your business forward.
Talk to an advisor →Fast Track™ Your Results
Company training built around your business needs: leadership development, operational excellence, productivity and a collaborative, innovative culture that supports long-term success.
Train your team →
Training that moves your whole team forward.
Workshops and leadership sessions for your executives and team, tailored to your business and built on practical tools your people can use right away.
- Business growth and strategic planning
- Leadership and executive effectiveness
- Sales acceleration and business development
- Team accountability and performance
- Systems, operations, and efficiency
- Differentiation and premium positioning
- DISC training
- The 7 Stages of Business Success
Carl Gould built it from the ground up.
Talk about grass roots… I know how to build a company from the ground up. My first business launched when I was still a teenager. After a leg injury in my sophomore year in college, I launched a landscaping company.
After selling that business I started a construction and real estate investment business. I became a sponge for information and wisdom: county college, personal development seminars, NLP, Situational Leadership™, Adizes Methodology™ organizational life cycles. I even worked the overnight shift at UPS, midnight to 8am, then went straight to my landscaping business. That’s what it takes to build something from nothing.
Pioneers of business excellence.
Our business consultants and coaches guide you through the complexities of modern business management, so your organization not only meets its goals but exceeds them. With 7 Stage Advisors you gain more than a consultant: you gain allies committed to your success, with dedicated support, expert guidance and a shared vision.
Four pillars. One growth plan.
Every engagement covers the four areas that decide whether a business grows: Direction, Income, Systems and Control.
Strategy &
Planning
Our advisors craft distinctive business plans that set you apart from the competition and establish your authority in your sector, with strategies so compelling your clients see value beyond the price.
We inspire your team and create a workplace that breeds innovation and commitment.
Business Development
& Sales
Imagine ideal clients who find you and keep coming back. We build multiple, dynamic lead generation systems that hunt, farm and nurture prospects into loyal customers.
With our advisors, consistent client conversion becomes your new reality.
Operations &
Systems
Efficiency and harmony in operations are the backbone of any successful business. We align your team with your mission and vision for seamless execution, and a fulfilling experience for your people.
Trust our experts to refine your processes into a well-oiled machine.
Finance &
Cash Flow
Cash flow is the lifeblood of your business, and not all cash flow is created equal. Our financial advisors dig into your systems to strengthen your balance sheet and master your profit and loss.
So your business doesn’t just survive, it thrives.
“If you’re ready to see your business thrive, to push beyond the boundaries of what you thought possible, and to embrace the next level of growth, then it’s time to explore the 7 Stage Growth Methodology™ with us. Success is not just about where you’re going, but how you get there. Let us show you the way.”— Carl GouldTalk to a 7 Stage Business Advisor →
Grow alongside owners who get it.
A free online business community for owners who want to grow and scale without doing it alone. Built on the 7 Stages of Business Success and led by the 7 Stage Advisors team.
- Trainings and workbooks, starting with The Growth & Scale Blueprint
- Live calls with Q&A, hot seats and webinars
- The Pinch Point Scorecard to see what’s holding you back
- 7 Stage advisors answering questions every day
- Owners at your stage sharing wins and helping each other
- A leaderboard that unlocks bonus trainings
Join free as one of our first 100 members and get the Founding Member badge and an invite to our launch call.
I’m in. Show me how → Powered by SkoolInsights for growing companies.
Get Business Strategy That Goes Beyond Motivation
The coaching industry has grown dramatically over the past decade, and executive coaches, leadership consultants and motivational speakers create real value. But that isn’t the role of 7 Stage Advisors. While motivation has its place, most business owners don’t lack ambition…
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How Business Leaders Can Address Imposter Syndrome
For business owners and senior leaders, imposter syndrome is not an occasional experience. It is a recurring one. As your business grows, so do the expectations placed on you: larger clients, more complex decisions and greater visibility…
Read more →
The CEO Model vs. The Superstar Model
When evaluating a small business, one of the first areas to assess is not the org chart, but how leadership truly functions in practice. In most owner-led companies, leadership follows one of two models: a true CEO model or the “superstar” model…
Read more →Get your free Business Analysis.
Tell us a little about your business and a 7 Stage advisor will reach out to find your stage, the pinch points holding you back and your best next step.
- Find out which of the 7 stages your business is in
- See the three areas costing you the most right now
- Leave with a clear, practical next step
Thank you!
We have your details. A 7 Stage advisor will be in touch within one business day.