Hire the Best Business Consultants in Illinois

I help small and mid-sized business owners make high-stakes financial decisions with confidence—whether that means running or acquiring a company, raising capital, improving performance, or preparing for an exit. I work as a fractional CFO and M&A advisor to founders, investors, and management teams, typically in the $2M–$10M revenue range, providing senior-level financial leadership without the cost of a full-time executive. My background includes 25+ years as a partner at two major CPA firms and 10+ years running my own financial and M&A advisory firm. In addition to advisory work, I have hands-on experience running business units, turning around underperforming operations, and building new practice areas—so my guidance is practical, not theoretical. How I Help Clients Fractional CFO & Financial Leadership -Financial strategy, budgeting, forecasting, and cash-flow modeling -KPI dashboards and board-level reporting -Debt and equity financing support -Pricing, margin improvement, and cost reduction -Incentive compensation and performance plans -Tax strategy oversight (in coordination with CPAs) M&A, Due Diligence & Valuation -Buy-side financial due diligence & Quality of Earnings (QoE) -Pre-LOI analysis and valuation -Deal structuring and acquisition financing -Sell-side readiness & reverse due diligence -Partner buyouts and internal transactions Strategic Growth & Exit Planning -Growth planning and execution support -Capital planning for scale -Exit planning and sale readiness -Special financial and strategic projects Selected Engagement Examples (Representative and anonymized) -Conducted Q & E Review and financial due diligence and provided lender report for a manufacturing acquisition (~$12M revenue) with lender providing pari passu SBA and traditional financing, relying upon my work. -Guided and advised the buyer through the valuation, structuring, and financing of a specialty construction company (~$13M revenue). -Serves as long-time on-going fractional CFO for family or solo owner real estate, SaaS, consumer products, and instructional businesses, providing financial management and reporting, cash flow forecasting and budgeting, oversight of tax matters, and strategic financial advice and guidance. -Prepared sell-side financials and exit readiness for founder-owned service firms. -Structured partner buyouts and ownership transitions for multi-owner businesses. Industries -Technology & SaaS -Professional & B2B services -E-commerce & consumer brands -Manufacturing & distribution -Healthcare services -Real estate & construction Why Clients Choose Me -100% Job Success on Upwork -Expert-Vetted fractional CFO & M&A advisor -600,000+ earned on Upwork across 300+ engagements -Trusted with acquisition, financing, and exit decisions -Clear communicator with owners, lenders, attorneys, and investors Let’s Talk If you’re considering an acquisition, need senior-level financial leadership, or want to prepare your business for growth or exit, I’m happy to discuss whether I’m the right fit.

I streamline operations and enhance customer relationships, drawing on 13 years of experience in relationship management and administrative support. I excel in high-volume environments, adept at managing complex workflows and maintaining meticulous documentation. My track record includes boosting team efficiency and improving client satisfaction through strategic support and organizational skills. I thrive on collaboration, having worked across various sectors including banking and small business consulting. If you need a reliable partner to optimize your operations or enhance client interactions, I am here to help. Let's discuss how I can contribute to your team's success.

Most people pick a lane. I built a highway. I'm Jae and in the time it takes you to read this, I've already thought about three ways to make your business run better. I help businesses untangle operations, ship projects, and build brands that actually work — from the inside out. With 8+ years as a freelance business consultant and technical project manager, I've worked across healthcare, finance, hospitality, and creative industries. I bring the same strategic clarity to a $200K revenue recovery audit as I do to launching a brand from the ground up. What I've delivered: — $200,000 in recoverable revenue identified through a billing and operations audit at a skilled nursing facility — 100% staff adoption of new workflows at Rush University Medical Center through a full change management strategy — 35% reduction in audit preparation time through process redesign — Built and launched a full multi-channel brand (SJRH) including digital products, B2B sales strategy, and AI-powered content production. I work well with founders who need both strategic thinking and execution, operations leaders who need things documented and done right, and growing businesses that need project management with real accountability. My approach is direct, organized, and results focused. I don't just deliver documents — I deliver outcomes. Ready to work? Let's go. Check Out Some Cool Things Below & My Gallery Tools Used: Sharepoint| Smartsheets| Gumroad| Microsoft Office Suite| MS Project| Microsoft CoPilot| ChatGPT| Claude Anthropic|| HeyGen| Canva| JIRA| ASANA| SLACK| NOTION|

With over 18 years of experience in Human Resources Management, I specialize in developing strategic HR plans, crafting comprehensive policies and procedures, and cultivating a workplace culture that empower employees to thrive. In addition to driving organizational success, I create legally compliant employee handbooks tailored to state-specific regulations—helping businesses stay aligned with compliance requirements. As a progressive leader and former Vice President of Human Resources at a national firm, I work with businesses and organizations to develop HR and payroll strategies. I specialize in: • Employment Law & Compliance • Employee Handbook Development & Compliance • Talent Acquisition & Recruiting • Performance & Compensation Management • Benefits & Payroll Administration • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Initiatives • Workers’ Compensation & Safety Programs • Training & Development Strategies I earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in communications and training; HR-certified by the Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI) as a Senior Human Resources Professional (SPHR); and HR-certified by the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM-CP).

I help companies grow revenue, expand into Spanish-speaking markets, and improve the quality of their marketing content — human or AI-generated. With 20+ years of experience as a CEO, CMO, and Head of Marketing operating across the U.S., Mexico, and Spain, I bring executive-level strategy to every project. I have scaled brands to 100+ locations, managed $30M+ budgets, led international expansion, and built high-performing demand-generation systems from the ground up. On Upwork, I combine three powerful capabilities: • Digital marketing strategy & growth execution • AI content evaluation & LLM response ranking (marketing-focused) • Spanish localization & executive-level transcreation Unlike traditional translators or junior marketers, I understand positioning, unit economics, conversion psychology, and market expansion. That strategic lens ensures your content doesn’t just sound right — it performs. CORE SERVICES DIGITAL MARKETING & GROWTH • Go-to-market strategy development • Funnel optimization & performance marketing • CRM & lifecycle marketing strategy • Brand positioning & competitive differentiation • Franchise & multi-location expansion strategy AI CONTENT EVALUATION • LLM response ranking & quality scoring • Marketing content evaluation for clarity, persuasion & structure • AI output refinement for Spanish & bilingual markets • Enterprise-level marketing quality review SPANISH LOCALIZATION & TRANSCREATION • Marketing localization for LATAM & U.S. Hispanic markets • Executive deck & investor presentation adaptation • Website, landing page & email campaign localization • Advertising transcreation preserving brand voice & conversion intent • Spanish–English translation with cultural precision and strategic alignment RECENT RESULTS • +200% qualified lead growth for a U.S. legal services firm through digital funnel redesign • Doubled restaurant sales in 30 days via culturally aligned campaign strategy • Evaluated and ranked AI-generated marketing responses for enterprise quality standards (Upwork Enterprise project) • Advised franchise brands on scalable expansion into Hispanic markets INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE Food & Beverage | Beauty & Personal Care | Retail | Franchise Brands | Legal Services | SaaS | Consumer Goods WHY WORK WITH ME • Former CEO & CMO — I think in revenue, not just words • University professor in Marketing, Consumer Insight & Research • Native Spanish (Mexico) + U.S. market expertise • International expansion experience (U.S., Mexico, Spain) • Strategic, fast, and business-focused communication If your project influences growth, positioning, or market expansion — let’s build it right. Send a message and tell me your goal.

Experienced leader with 20+ years of driving operational success across multiple industries. I specialize in Customer Success, Process Optimization, and Project Management, and I’m passionate about getting projects done on time and on target while finding smarter ways to work more efficiently. I’m known for my strategic mindset, open communication style, and knack for bringing people together to solve tough problems. Ready to elevate your team’s success or streamline your processes? Let’s connect and see how I can help your business thrive!