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I am a business consultant with a background in people, operations, and organizational work across consulting firms and SMEs. My consulting experience includes working at Abacus Consulting with Mercer methodology, compensation benchmarking, job evaluation, employee engagement studies, and HR due diligence. My in-house experience comes from a growing SME where I built people and operations processes from scratch, working directly with leadership. I can engage across business functions, not just the people side. What I work on: - Business research, analysis, and reporting - Operational planning and process improvement - Compensation benchmarking and salary structure design - Job evaluation using Mercer IPE - Employee engagement surveys - design, analysis, recommendations - Recruitment support - job descriptions, screening, coordination - HR policies, documentation, and process setup - HR due diligence and audits - Org design and workforce planning I work best with founders, small teams, and consulting firms who need someone who can think through a problem independently and deliver clean work without constant direction.

Took a DTC health brand from a $2.9M annual loss to beating a cash-positive plan in two years. When their dashboards said CAC had tripled to $900, I went into the raw data and proved the real number was $472, which saved the channel and the year. I'm a fractional CFO for DTC, subscription, and Amazon brands doing $3M–$25M. My edge: I don't sit on top of dashboards. I go into the raw data myself (Shopify exports, ad platforms, 3PL invoices, cohort tables) and find where your numbers have drifted from reality. Every brand has at least one number that's lying to it. Finding it is usually worth multiples of my fee. What I do: 1. Growth and marketing finance. Channel-level unit economics, blended LTV-to-CAC ceilings, marketing mix modeling, Amazon vs DTC spend allocation, retention cohorts. I sit between you and your media buyers and make sure every dollar can be defended on the P&L. 2. Subscription economics. Most subscription brands are SaaS businesses measured with e-commerce math. Rebuilding one brand's finances around cohorts, LTV payback, and retention is what turned that $2.9M loss around and cut blended CAC roughly 25%. 3. Ecom-native FP&A. 13-week cash forecasting tied to inventory cycles and ad spend, scenario modeling for launches and peak season, KPI dashboards your team will actually use, clean monthly close. 4. Investor readiness. Board materials, valuation analysis, deal structuring. I led due diligence at a UK investment agency that took equity on my recommendations: 22 calls, publicly scored, including the one I got wrong. I know what investors will dig into because I was the one digging. 5. AI-native by design. I build Claude-based agents for transaction categorization, anomaly flagging, and forecast updates. You get senior CFO judgment plus automation, at the cost of neither. Background: MBA from IESE Business School, engineering by training. 120+ early-stage companies on the fundraising side through TribeFirst due diligence and Bitcoin Startup Lab pitch coaching. I've run finance for brands selling on Amazon and own-channel DTC, so I understand the tradeoffs between the two. If your finance function can't give you a straight answer to "is this growth profitable and can we afford it," let's talk. 30 minutes, I'll look at your numbers and tell you where I'd start.

🥇 Earned UpWork's "expert-vetted program" badge - top 1% on platform Strategic advisor with 20 years of experience and a passion for leveraging technology to drive business growth and enhance organizational value. Expertise in digital transformation, business process improvement, operating model design, establishing strong PMO governance structures, and financial valuation (especially for technology and Saas startups) Areas of Expertise • Strategy, Business Plans & Financial Analysis • Business Models, Organization Design and Governance • Digital Transformation, Enterprise Architecture and Solution Designs • Business Process Management and Automation • Implementation of ERP, CRM, Enterprise Project Management systems • Performance Management Industries Government, Retail, e-Commerce, Manufacturing, Consultancy, Hospitality, Distribution, Trading, Technology Firms, Professional Services, Ports, Logistics and Freight Forwarding, Printing Offices, and media productions. Regions Egypt, GCC (UAE, Oman, KSA), USA, Canada, Germany, India, Korea Achievements Digital Transformation Strategy & Implementation: -Formulate the Digital Transformation Strategy for a Bank in Egypt and planned a three-year digital transformation initiatives roadmap, in addition to conducting the cost-benefit analysis for each initiative -Led several Digital Transformation and Enterprise architecture projects for governmental entities, Technology firms, trading, retail, and real-estate -Led a Digital Transformation and Business Process reengineering Project for a Port in the GCC and designed the information system architecture of this organization -Led a business process improvement and a Digital Transformation Project for a governmental agency in Egypt. -Led the Digital Transformation Project and Business Process Improvement for one of the biggest agriculture factories in Egypt.  -Led digital transformation projects for more than 60 organizations in different sectors -Formulate a digital transformation strategy plan for a telecommunication organization in Jordan Enterprise Architecture & Business Process Improvement: -Led several Digital Transformation and Enterprise architecture projects for governmental entities, Technology firms, trading, retail, and real-estate -Led a Digital Transformation and Business Process reengineering Project for a Port in the GCC and designed the information system architecture of this organization -Design Enterprise Architecture Department in one of the biggest retail companies in Egypt and other entities -Led a business process improvement and a Digital Transformation Project for a governmental agency in Egypt. -Led the Digital Transformation Project and Business Process Improvement for one of the biggest agriculture factories in Egypt.  -Design and Improve the PMO Operating Model, Data and Governance model, and Business processes for a governmental entity in UAE, while Governing and standardizing Processes, Reports, and evaluating best automation options -Design and Improve the PMO for several other entities (IT, Consulting, and NPO), while Governing and standardizing Processes, Reports, and evaluating best automation options -Design the Business Excellence Department in one of the biggest Leading B2B Digital Transformation Companies Strategic Planning & Business Model Design: -Design and formulate the Corporate, Business, Marketing, and Digital Strategies for a Consultancy Firm -Design the strategy, Business, and Operating Model of a new business line for one of the largest real estate companies in Egypt -Design and formulate the Corporate, Business, Market, Brand, and Digital Strategies for NPO Organizations -Designing Strategic Management Offices for several Entities Feasibility Studies, Companies’ Valuations & Business Case Development: -Conduct a Feasibility Study for a new Virus and Bacteria detection Device, with a Complete business case for the recommended business and operating model for a new business line. Electronics Research Institute – Ministry of Scientific Research. -Conduct a feasibility study for a marketplace e-commerce platform, and formulate the Business and Go-To-Market Strategy -Conduct a Financial Valuation for a Software as a service a start-up in UAE and Designed the Investor Pitch -Carried out numerous business case while performing risk assessments, analyzing future scenarios, and conducting cost-benefit analysis for each available option to determine the optimal financial decision. - Design The 3-year business plan for the home appliances company involved detailed financial projections, including revenue forecasts, cost structures, and capital investment plans, to assess the viability and funding requirements for the strategic initiatives. IT Services - Led several IT Audit Projects in different sectors. - Design the IT Strategy, IT designed Processes

Hello! I’m Afonso, a versatile business consultant with over 20 years of experience across trading, company formation, immigration, market research, logistics, and more. I specialize in helping clients grow and streamline their businesses by providing expert advice and hands-on support in: Trading and sourcing products, including car trading and spare parts Company formation and legal compliance Immigration and visa services Market and product research to identify opportunities Cargo and freight forwarding coordination With deep knowledge of the UAE market and international business practices, I deliver clear communication, practical solutions, and reliable results tailored to your needs. Let’s work together to take your business to the next level!

I am a dedicated freelance consultant with over 9 years of professional experience in Accounting & Finance, currently pursuing a Ph.D. in the same field. I specialize in delivering data-driven financial solutions tailored to support strategic decision-making for startups, SMEs, and established enterprises across diverse industries including manufacturing, services, e-commerce, retail, and distribution. My core competencies include: ✅ Business Planning & Feasibility Studies – End-to-end development of investor-ready business plans and sector-specific feasibility reports, incorporating market research, competitor benchmarking, and SWOT/PESTLE analyses. ✅ Financial Modeling & Forecasting – Robust multi-scenario financial models with dynamic assumptions, sensitivity analysis, breakeven calculations, DCF valuations, and investor metrics (IRR, ROI, NPV, Payback Period). ✅ Investor Pitch Decks – Compelling and concise pitch decks that effectively communicate business potential, traction, and financial viability to attract angel investors or VC funding. ✅ Valuation & Due Diligence – Comprehensive business valuations using income, market, and asset-based approaches; financial due diligence support for acquisitions, divestitures, and equity raising. ✅ Consulting for Equity/Debt Financing – Advisory services for preparing documentation, projections, and analysis for bank loans, venture funding, or private equity, including assistance with CMA data and lender/investor queries. I’ve supported clients locally and internationally, particularly in Dubai, UAE, helping them navigate complex financial landscapes and align their strategies with long-term growth objectives. My work is grounded in technical precision, regulatory compliance, and client-specific customization, ensuring every deliverable adds measurable value.

With over 15 years of experience and recognition as a Top 1% Expert-Vetted Freelancer on Upwork, I am your trusted partner in turning visions into victories. From crafting compelling business plans to building financial models that investors can't ignore, I specialize in delivering results that matter. 🎯 Here’s What I Bring to the Table: - Strategic business planning that drives growth. - Feasibility Studies/Market Research - Investor-ready pitch decks that captivate and persuade. - Tailored business proposals designed to win. - Financial Modeling - Expert Virtual CFO services for seamless financial leadership. Having empowered over 200 companies worldwide, I’ve consistently transformed ideas into success stories, setting benchmarks for excellence along the way. Let's create something extraordinary together! 🚀 What sets me apart? Beyond the top-tier ranking, I hold the prestigious Expert-Vetted status on Upwork—an accolade whispered about in large enterprises. It's an exclusive nod to my prowess, visible only to those seeking the absolute best. I don't just crunch numbers; I orchestrate financial symphonies, turning complexities into opportunities. —let's redefine success together.