solve for (x), llc

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Vice-President, Commercial Development of AMI Group

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We supply food and beverage products and services to airlines. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire solve for (x), llc to accomplish?

• Airline Retail Strategy Consulting
• Branding
• Business Consulting in the Airline/Food Services Industry

SOLUTION

How did you find solve for (x), llc?

Previous professional relationship

Why did you select solve for (x), llc over others?

• Great culture fit
• Intimate understanding of our businesss

How many teammates from solve for (x), llc were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Project 1:  Airline Retail Strategy Consulting:

Pre Launch Analysis & Discovery
Policies and Procedures
Program Pre Launch
IT Infrastructure
Branding
Commercial Terms & Vendor Negotiation

Project 2:  Branding:

Name Generation
Logo Development
Branding & Style Guide

Project 3:  Business Consulting in the Airline/Food Services Industry:

Business Consulting
Strategy for Commercializing “Menu-Design-As-A-Service”

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Project 1:  Airline Retail Strategy Consulting-we walked away with a marketable frame work, cost and pricing structure, IT infastructure, branding, and contractual terms for the customer and vendors. 

Project 2:  Branding-we walked away sharp brand name, logo and branding and style guide. 

Project 3:  Business Consulting in the Airline/Food Services Industry-we walked away with a cost and pricing model for a new service offering.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Stuart and team did an excellent job supporting all three projects. They were

1. Always on time with all deliverables.
2. Supportive in wrangling our team (no small feat).
3. Clever in helping us get out of our conventional thinking
4. Insightful in how customers may percieve our offerings, which allowed us to pivot and create better value. 
5. And honest about areas where thier expertise didn't necessarily allign with thier needs. Helpful in pointing us to better alternatives. 

What was your primary form of communication with solve for (x), llc?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

They were good at getting to the heart of any issue. For many of our projects, we were establishing new business offerings that didn't necessarily exist before, or at least not in the format we wanted them to be, so that skill allowed to focus for effectively. 

Are there any areas for improvement or something solve for (x), llc could have done differently?

From our perspetive, no. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the President, Board of Directors of Sonia Nabeta Foundation

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Nonprofit charity supporting children with type 1 diabetes

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire solve for (x), llc to accomplish?

Develop financial model, business plan and pitch deck

SOLUTION

How did you find solve for (x), llc?

Online Search

Why did you select solve for (x), llc over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from solve for (x), llc were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

As the Board President of the Sonia Nabeta Foundation (SNF), I have had the privilege of working with many consultants, but Stuart from Solve for X stands out as a true master of his craft. Our nonprofit, which is dedicated to supporting children with type 1 diabetes in Africa, operates in a space where financial modeling, strategic planning and compelling pitch decks are critical for our sustainability and impact. 
Yet often out of reach, for several reasons (budgets etc.). With Stuart, he worked with us delivering outstanding service at a nonprofit rate.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Working with him felt like working with a true partner, someone who was as invested in our success as we were. 

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

His ability to distill complex financials into a clear narrative, is compelling.

What was your primary form of communication with solve for (x), llc?

Virtual Meeting

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

If you are a nonprofit or social enterprise looking for top tier financial and strategic guidance, I cannot recommend Stuart highly enough. Without hesitation or reserve I highly recommend him

Are there any areas for improvement or something solve for (x), llc could have done differently?

Stuart was great and i couldnt provide a stronger review

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Co-Founder of Hub Space Flex

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We are a real estate-focused operator of small bay and industrial warehouse properties. We reconfigure warehouses in a way that allows businesses to thrive by giving them solutions that fit their business size. The result is the perfect warehouse space for small and medium-sized companies to operate, scale, and be part of a community of like-minded entrepreneurs. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire solve for (x), llc to accomplish?

• Establish market and Complete competitive analysis
• Identify target customer persona
• Develop a custom-built financial model for the business

SOLUTION

How did you find solve for (x), llc?

Referral

Why did you select solve for (x), llc over others?

• High ratings
• Close to my geographic location
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from solve for (x), llc were assigned to this project?

1 Employee

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Discovery, Creating a one-page business plan, market research, financial model development and refinement. Ad-hoc consulting and strategy.  Ultimately, we spent a lot of time discussing more CFO level decision making and building a fully custom and robust financial business model. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Stuart did a great job with our project and I'm confident he will do the same with any opportunity that he is involved with. I have not met many excel experts who can also work well with a team to develop a custom financial model. It has brought a great amount of clarity to our project. Stuart can do both and he is also an expert in market analysis and marketing studies as well. We received exactly what we needed to take the next steps in our business.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Stuart worked very diligently and completed all work on time and sometimes ahead of our schedule. They were quick to respond and detailed in the content of their responses. 

What was your primary form of communication with solve for (x), llc?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Stuart took the time to make sure he "got it" and really understood our problem, the outcomes we wanted and what it would take to get there. This meant he had to learn new things outside of his experience but I was very impressed with his ability to take on this challenge and do a great job with it. 

Are there any areas for improvement or something solve for (x), llc could have done differently?

Nothing I can offer. We are very pleased. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Chief Operating Officer of Tradery Labs

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We develop technology powered by AI to trade assets and generate profits for clients.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire solve for (x), llc to accomplish?

• Conduct a Comprehensive Audit of the Company's Legal and Accounting Framework
• Fulfill the Role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) with All Associated Responsibilities
• Guide the Company in Strategic Planning and Securing Investment

SOLUTION

How did you find solve for (x), llc?

Online Search

Why did you select solve for (x), llc over others?

• High ratings
• Great culture fit
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from solve for (x), llc were assigned to this project?

1 Employee

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Undertake a comprehensive evaluation and analysis of the company's entire legal and accounting infrastructure. This process involves a thorough examination and verification of all legal documents, compliance measures, financial records, accounting practices, and internal control systems. 

The objective is to ensure compliance with regulations, financial accuracy, and operational efficiency while identifying improvement areas. Assume complete responsibility as the company's CFO, overseeing all financial operations. This includes managing the finance team, budgeting, financial planning, cash flow management, and financial reporting. 

As CFO, you will provide strategic financial input to the CEO and board members, ensure the company's financial practices comply with regulatory requirements, and work towards optimizing the organization's financial health and stability. Play an essential role in shaping the company's strategic direction and growth plans. This involves analyzing market trends, identifying opportunities for expansion, and advising on business model adjustments. 

Additionally, lead the effort in attracting and securing funding from investors. This entails preparing compelling investment pitches, negotiating terms with potential investors, and managing investor relations to support the company's long-term financial objectives.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

In the Legal and Accounting Audit scope, a full audit was completed within six months. During this process, 90% of compliance issues or discrepancies in legal and accounting practices were identified and resolved. This thorough audit led to the implementation of 15-20 new or improved internal control measures derived from the findings. 

Furthermore, the audit achieved a significant level of compliance, reaching 90% adherence to relevant industry regulations and standards. As Chief Financial Officer (CFO), the CFO notably reduced operational costs by 10% within one year through efficient financial management. 

Additionally, the CFO ensured the successful and timely completion of quarterly financial reporting, maintaining high accuracy and adhering to all deadlines. In the realm of Strategic Planning and Securing Investment, over five years, investment funds were successfully raised, surpassing the targeted amount of $2.4 million. Moreover, they executed three critical strategic growth opportunities or partnerships within a single year.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Solve for X's project management skills were notably efficient and effective. He consistently delivered on time, meeting all project deadlines with precision, which is evident in the completion of the comprehensive audit within six months and the timely execution of quarterly financial reports. 

Stuart's responsiveness to the company's needs was exceptional, especially in managing operational costs and securing significant investment, aligning perfectly with our long-term strategic goals. On a personal note, Stuart was delightful to work with. His intelligence was apparent in every aspect of his work, and his approachable demeanor made collaboration smooth and productive. 

His clear and effective communication ensured everyone was well-informed, fostering a transparent and cooperative atmosphere. Stuart's blend of professionalism, intellect, and pleasant personality significantly contributed to the success of our projects.

What was your primary form of communication with solve for (x), llc?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Solve for X has a unique and impressive philosophy noticeable in all aspects of its operations. Their approach involved improving existing strategies or processes to attain a new level of excellence. The company excelled in enhancing and refining its existing processes, resulting in a better outcome for the company.

Are there any areas for improvement or something solve for (x), llc could have done differently?

The company's reluctance to adhere to the established protocols for using our product management software posed challenges in efficiently tracking project progress. Without the use of this centralized digital tool, obtaining updates on the projects often required direct and sometimes time-consuming inquiries.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the CEO of JogAlong Stroller LLC

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

JogAlong Stroller developed an ergonomic stroller with elliptical-like arms enabling proper running and walking form.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire solve for (x), llc to accomplish?

• Prepare a pitch deck, business plan and executive summary
• Develop an extremely robust financial model that is easy to use by a non finance person
• Provide fractional CFO service relating to start-up strategy and fund-raising

SOLUTION

How did you find solve for (x), llc?

Other

Why did you select solve for (x), llc over others?

High ratings

What was the size of solve for (x), llc’s team?

Stuart is the lead, but does not hesitate to pull in others when appropriate.

What was your primary form of communication with solve for (x), llc?

Virtual Meeting, Email or Messaging App

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Solve for x developed a financial model, business plan, pitch deck, and executive summary. The financial model Stuart built is outstanding. It is easy for a non-finance person to use, and when I did have questions about why things were the way they were (stemming from my lack of financial experience) he walked me through step by step until I understood.

The model is very thorough. We have received many compliments on the financial model from investors examining our assumptions and inputs. The business plan Stuart created for us has been a vault of gold we have visited again and again.

We have used many paragraphs and phrases from the business plan for other documents and applications. With the information from the financial model and business plan Stuart created an excellent pitch deck and executive summary. They flow well, look great and are backed up with solid data.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

• Our confidence in the deliverables Solve for x provided enabled us to apply for grants.
• We were also well prepared to apply and run an equity crowdfunding campaign.
• The deliverables were also important resources when applying for financing.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Solve for x managed our projects expertly. Dates given for tasks were reasonable and met. Often times when we asked for something, they were able to improve our ask. It was reassuring to see and benefit from the variety and number of startup and business projects they have already completed. And along the way, all aspects of the project were transparent, and all questions were thoroughly answered.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

All of the work is high quality. When something is delivered, you know it will be top-notch. Stuart is very efficient with his time and kept us up to date. I always had full confidence we were with the right person. And the MOST impressive thing is to share a screen with Stuart when he is working on your financial model in Excel. I just stop talking and watch, it's like a business Twitch session!

Are there any areas for improvement or something solve for (x), llc could have done differently?

All the work is great, the process and pricing are transparent. I continue to contract Solve for x on a fractional basis to keep us at the level we want to be.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the VP of Sales and Marketing of Preferred Packaging

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We are manufacturer of equipment, flexible films and containers for the retail and food service markets.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire solve for (x), llc to accomplish?

Gain a deeper understanding of nutrition/food packaging in K-12 schools

SOLUTION

How did you find solve for (x), llc?

Other

Why did you select solve for (x), llc over others?

High ratings, Pricing first our budget, Great culture fit, Referred to me

What was the size of solve for (x), llc’s team?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Gain a deeper understanding of nutrition/food packaging in schools K-12:

• Size the school market to understand scope, trajectory and degree of opportunities
• Define major markets reliant or potentially reliant on food packaging
• Identify how they operate (…so we can sell)
• Understand usage and attitudes regarding bulk versus pre-packaged
• Identify operational structures and procurement processes (user vs buyer & influencer roles)
• Gauge material sentiment beyond paper vs. plastic (environmentally friendly – what is real attachment)

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Size the school major markets reliant or potentially reliant on food packaging

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Very professional, thorough and responsive. All deliverables on time and as specified.

What was your primary form of communication with solve for (x), llc?

Virtual Meeting, Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

They have passion for their projects, and it shows in their final product. They immerse themselves into their research to have a true understanding of defined expectations from the customer's perspective.

Are there any areas for improvement or something solve for (x), llc could have done differently?

none

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the CFO of Moxie CLT

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Early stage women's membership club in development. Building out flagship location and fundraising. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire solve for (x), llc to accomplish?

• Help with financial model
• Equity structure

SOLUTION

How did you find solve for (x), llc?

Referral

Why did you select solve for (x), llc over others?

Referred to me

How many teammates from solve for (x), llc were assigned to this project?

1 Employee

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Help building investor friendly financial model, help with equity buyback structure and help with key investor talking points 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Helped us raise a significant portion of capital in our fundraise. 

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Stuart was extremely professional, prompt with deliverables and response times and he helped our team tremendously. 

What was your primary form of communication with solve for (x), llc?

Virtual Meeting

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

How much I was able to learn as the CFO of our team from his years of experience working with start ups. 

Are there any areas for improvement or something solve for (x), llc could have done differently?

N/A

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the CEO of Solve For (X), LLC. We are a boutique consultancy that helps small startups develop proof-of-concept solutions in robotics, signal processing, and embedded systems. We leverage deep technical expertise to meet specific product or customer objectives.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Solve For (X), LLC?

We needed fractional CFO services to get our books in order and create financial projections.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Solve For (X), LLC helps us get our finances in order and manages our bookkeeper. They also provide back-office services as needed, create financial projections, and do scenario modeling. We look at project headcount increases or how different compensation structures would affect finances and budgeting.

What is the team composition?

We work with one teammate from Solve For (X), LLC.

How did you come to work with Solve For (X), LLC?

We found them through Clutch. We chose them because they had a good alignment with our startup's needs and showed flexibility and adaptability.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together a year ago, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

We continue to work with Solve For (X), LLC to provide fractional CFO services. We've noticed less load on the founder and saved 1–5 hours per week. Additionally, there's less stress about finances.

How did Solve For (X), LLC perform from a project management standpoint?

Solve For (X), LLC is timely and responsive to our needs. We communicate via Slack and email.

Are there any employees from the service provider's team that you would like to give a shout-out to in this review?

Stuart is great.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Solve For (X), LLC is adaptable and flexible to our needs. They build custom models and dashboards.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They should aim to operationalize more of their services so they can lower costs and attract more customers.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Chief Product & Marketing Officer

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Manufacture and distribute automotive parts for the automotive aftermarket.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire solve for (x), llc to accomplish?

• Business analysis
• High level strategic findings
• Product analysis for acquisition

SOLUTION

How did you find solve for (x), llc?

Referral

Why did you select solve for (x), llc over others?

• Company values aligned
• Expertise and working style

How many teammates from solve for (x), llc were assigned to this project?

1 Employee

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Global business analysis and 3-yr trends for product categories. Also included a cross reference across two product portfolios to analyze an acquisition for a rationalization effort. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Completion of a 3 yr trend analysis with a set scope of work that was prepared in advance of the project. 

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Very efficient with timing, and met all deliverables. Very good communication and check points throughout the process. 

What was your primary form of communication with solve for (x), llc?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

We appreciated their ability to work with disparate data, clean things up, and shift to a strategic lens for insights and findings. 

Are there any areas for improvement or something solve for (x), llc could have done differently?

No. I was very happy with the overall process. Excellent upfront scoping, good communication, met all deliverables, and enjoyed working with them. Plus were thrilled with the final output.