Sales stuck, pipeline a mess, marketing all over the place? I fix that. I help SMEs turn unpredictable sales into steady, scalable revenue. That might mean building a sales process from scratch, cleaning up the lead flow, or finally getting sales and marketing to work together. I’ve spent the last 27 years working with more than 450 SMEs in Europe and the US. Clients usually see 50 to 150 percent revenue growth in less than a year. I lead, I fix, and I put the right systems in place so growth keeps going after I’m gone. What you get when we work together • A revenue teardown in the first 90 minutes with a clear plan you can start using tomorrow • Weekly calls, shared dashboards, and check-ins so nothing slips through the cracks • Proven ways to bring in more leads, move deals faster, and close more sales • Tech, tracking, and reporting that actually tell you what’s working and what’s not Some wins I’m proud of • Tripled pipeline speed for a 4M euro SaaS in six months • Boosted e-commerce repeat purchases from 18 percent to 42 percent without extra ad spend • Helped three founders settle a major dispute and keep the business growing until a seven-figure exit If you want someone who won’t just talk strategy but will roll up their sleeves and make things happen, let’s talk.

I am an Expert-Vetted Project and Operations Specialist with close to three decades of experience helping organisations improve execution, operational structure, and delivery consistency across construction, finance, e-commerce, technology, and professional services. I work with founders and leadership teams when priorities become fragmented, ownership is unclear, and delivery begins to lose momentum. My focus is on aligning people, processes, and systems to create clearer ways of working and more controlled execution. I have managed a £550M portfolio of 375 projects over five years, established PMOs, implemented earned value management, and introduced process and system improvements to strengthen control across time, cost, and quality. On a £1.2B healthcare programme, I restructured a stalled design process and increased completion from 53 percent to 96 percent within five months. I also bring strong experience in contract and change management. In one case, I supported a client facing a $60K contractual claim. By reviewing the contract in detail and identifying key breaches, I established a clear contractual position that resulted in the claim being withdrawn and avoided escalation, saving the client a significant cost exposure. Alongside large-scale programmes, I support organisations transitioning from reactive operations to more structured and scalable ways of working. This has included operational transformation work within a major financial institution in Dubai, where I reduced fragmented processes, established a PMO, and onboarded close to 100 staff onto Monday to improve coordination and visibility. As a Fractional COO, I have implemented operating frameworks (EOS), standardised SOPs, improved cross-functional alignment, and rationalised technology stacks to create more efficient delivery environments. I have also introduced practical AI applications to support research, analytics, and operational workflows. In e-commerce, I managed the recruitment of staff, liaising with suppliers, ensuring stock was on hand, coordination of an in-house team of specialists, and the launching of three multilingual websites, along with Facebook and YouTube ads within a two-week period in preparation for Black Friday/Cyber Monday, contributing to measurable sales growth year on year. I have also supported startups and SMEs in developing scalable operating models and structured delivery processes. I am a Certified Monday Partner, have direct hands on experience with ClickUp, Miro, Notion, and am a Primavera P6 super user, amongst other systems. I am currently working towards PMP certification and an MBA, while continuing to expand my capabilities in AI and automation.

Entrepreneur (0-IPO:NASDAQ), proven innovator (64 patents) and charismatic leader (CEO/CTO) who has founded venture backed companies in SaaS software and systems, telecommunications, Fintech, high speed electronics devices and energy harvesting. I specialize in helping early stage companies move from surviving to thriving. You have a good idea, a 1.0 product and your company is making progress but it is not clear how to get from where you are today to enough revenue to pay bills, hire the people you need and ramp growth. Ugh. Here are some recent wins: * I worked with a founder and CEO of a social media marketing company to triple revenue in 2025. * I helped the CEO of a startup fintech company get their mobile App from a lost cause to complete and launched in the market. * I prepared a consumer fintech App company for $1.5m series A funding, solving operations issues, providing proof points of customer acquisition costs and consumer demand in the App. I'm here to help. I have CEO and CTO experience and judgement in startups and will work closely with you to get organized, formulate a plan and execute successfully. I have walked in your shoes and know the business and emotional struggles. I have raised venture capital and took one of my companies public. I guarantee my work or you don't have to pay. We'll do what needs to be done to be successful: align your product with the market, establish key partnerships to bring in new revenue streams, prepare yourself for funding, locate funding partners and close on a round of investment, add discipline to the sales process and start meeting sales goals. I've earned my experience by founding companies, recruiting talent, raising capital, building products and exiting through IPO or sale. I'll help you manage any area of your business or transform it. I'm proven by my experience and will help you with everything from Agile delivery and technology issues to the company itself. I can advise you or you can put me in a problem location and we'll get it resolved. As a freelancer, I can work as an individual contributor and not only will I accomplish the mission, you'll get my good judgement, communication, positive attitude and leadership as a bonus. I know funds are tight but you need my kind of expertise. I will meet you where you are at and work out a way for you to afford my skills. bests, Pat Member of Upwork's elite "Expert-Vetted" top 1% team. ------------- Summary I am an experienced leader and innovator with a strong background in business revitalization, technology, and strategic growth. I specialize in aligning products and technology with market demands, driving business transformation, and establishing strategic partnerships. My expertise spans business strategy, software and hardware technology, investor relations, fund raising and intellectual property management. Key Roles and Achievements Businesses * Veteran Crowd Rewards, LLC: As a CTO/CISO, I led business strategy and product management, enhancing the company's valuation and securing $1.5M in funding. * RedWave Energy, Inc.: As CTO/Founder, I raised $20M+, led groundbreaking R&D, and built a valuable IP portfolio. * Apropos Technology: Founded the company, CEO/CTO, raised $25m in VC funding, leading it to a successful IPO and substantial growth (NASDAQ:APRS). Consulting * Unmatched Marketing: I worked closely with the CEO to expand and refocus product content tripling revenue. * Money Match App: Moving company to successful product launch and series A funding. Salvaged a struggling App development, shored up operations and brought on key talent. * Strategic Alliance Consulting, Inc.: I helped the CEO focus the company on cybersecurity, and transforming to a software company driving revenue growth and helping raise pre-seed funding round. * Trifin Labs: As a vSenior Project Manager, I revitalized distressed projects, leading to successful software delivery and business growth. Organizations Juna Amagara Ministries: Co-founder and Chairman of an organization to support AIDS orphans in Uganda, growing it to $450k/year recurring donations. Skills * Expert in software and tech company development, project management, product management, CEO and CTO leadership, and innovation (over 65 patents). * Proficient in sales, business analysis, intellectual property strategy, talent recruiting, fund raising and contract negotiations. Boards * Buttery AI - early stage AI platform innovation company. * Renmind - AI UI/UX innovation. * Harmoniq Insights - AI driven quant trading technology firm. Education * Master's in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from Northwestern University. * Bachelor's in Astronomy from the University of Illinois. * PMP Certification Awards * Distinguished Award of Technical Merit - Bell Laboratories * R&D 100 Award 2018 * RedHerring Global 100 Award Winner 2018 * 65 Patents References: Available upon request.

🌟 What Others Say About Me: 🌟 "Reif's versatility is unmatched. He's smart, resourceful, and a tech genius with a heart of gold." — Christopher Hamze, Founder of teelaunch 🌟 "Reif 'gets stuff done', which is the most critical quality for a successful leader." — Gary Kliegman, COO at Mate Fertility 🌟 "Reif is one of the smartest individuals I have had the pleasure of working with. He streamlines processes and adds value in ways that are both innovative and efficient." — Mike Kunz, SVP Operations at AAPC 🌟 "Reif is the full package—tech-savvy, resourceful, passionate, and a team player. He's the rare talent who can set vision at a high level and also get scrappy when needed." — Michael Simon, Managing Principal at Traverse Pointe Partners 🌟 "From leading through a merger to handling the challenges of a global pandemic, Reif's leadership is unparalleled. He's the kind of leader every growth-stage company needs." — Gary Kliegman, Board Member at Qualtry 🌟 "Reif's intellect is exceptional, placing him among the smartest individuals I have had the privilege to know. His ability to adapt and deliver results is simply remarkable." — Christopher Hamze, Founder of teelaunch 🚀 About Me: I'm a versatile problem solver with a strong background in tech, business strategy, and leadership. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science & Accounting from BYU-Hawaii and have experience leading companies through growth, transformation, and challenging times. From software development to running 7-figure e-commerce businesses, I've worn many hats and delivered results. 💼 Experience Highlights: - CEO/President of Q2 Brands: Led a company with over 500 SKUs to 7M in yearly sales. Managed a diverse team across 5 time zones and turned the business around into a market leader. - Executive VP of Revenue at Qualtry: Transitioned the company from repetitive tasks to automation, leading through a global pandemic and a complex merger. - Tech & Sales Wizard: Launched offsite channels, responsible for $1.5M+ in sales, and implemented software solutions that saved $250k/year. 🎸 Unique Skills: - Versatile Leader: Whether it's strategic vision, navigating business challenges, or rolling up my sleeves to get in the weeds, I get stuff done. - Tech & Automation Guru: If it can be automated, I’ve done it. From cash flow management to inventory buying, I use technology to drive efficiency and success. - Creative Marketer: Developing and executing viral content strategies that engage audiences and increase brand visibility is one of my passions. 🤝 How I Can Help Your Company: 1. Business Turnaround: Transform struggling businesses into market leaders through strategic leadership and process optimization. 2. Automation & Efficiency: Implement cutting-edge technology to streamline operations, reduce costs, and boost productivity. 3. Sales Channel Expansion: Launch and optimize e-commerce channels (Amazon, Etsy, etc.) to drive millions in new revenue. 4. Team Leadership: Build and lead high-performing teams across multiple time zones, ensuring everyone is aligned and motivated. 5. Creative Marketing: Develop and execute viral content strategies that engage audiences and increase brand visibility. --- Let’s create some magic on Upwork! ✨

Transforming Small Business Challenges into Growth Opportunities Are you navigating the complexities of small business operations, grappling with HR issues, or driving a startup towards its next growth phase? I'm here to help. With over 35 years of robust experience in business strategy and HR management, I specialize in empowering small businesses and startups to overcome hurdles and achieve sustainable growth. My journey began with launching my own company on a modest budget of $20,000, which I escalated to a thriving $10 million enterprise within a decade. My success is not just a track record—it's a blueprint for transformation that I can tailor to your unique needs. From refining HR processes and smoothing operational challenges to strategic scaling, I offer comprehensive expertise that's designed to steer your business towards success. If your growing company is transitioning and needs seasoned leadership, consider me your go-to Interim or Fractional CEO, ready to alleviate pressures on both short-term and long-term horizons. Are you ready to elevate your business? Connect with me to discuss how we can forge a path to your success together. My rates are flexible and will be thoughtfully adapted to meet your specific needs. Let’s make your business goals a reality. Reach out today!

I help companies eliminate manual work and scale their operations by building structured, automated, and AI-enhanced systems. If your CRM is messy, your processes are manual, or your team is wasting time on repetitive tasks—I fix that. With 10+ years of experience in CRM architecture and business process automation, I specialize in turning fragmented workflows into clean, scalable systems that improve efficiency, visibility, and decision-making across your business. Previously, I founded and led Automated Dreams, where I designed and implemented automation and CRM systems for growing companies. Today, I work independently with clients to deliver high-impact operational systems that actually scale. ⸻ AI-Enhanced Systems (Practical Use, Not Hype) I incorporate AI where it meaningfully improves operations: ✔️ Automating decision logic (lead routing, support triage, internal workflows) ✔️ AI-generated summaries, notes, and task automation inside CRM systems ✔️ Data enrichment, classification, and cleanup ✔️ Connecting tools like OpenAI, Zapier, and HubSpot for intelligent workflows My focus is simple: use AI where it saves time or improves outcomes—not just to check a box. ⸻ What I Do Best 🔹 Automation & Workflow Design Design systems that eliminate manual work and reduce operational friction 🔹 CRM Architecture (HubSpot Expert) Build and optimize CRM systems that actually support your team 🔹 Integrations & Data Systems Connect your tools into a unified, reliable system 🔹 AI-Enhanced Operations Introduce AI into workflows in a practical, maintainable way 🔹 Change Management & Operational Strategy Successfully roll-out new systems and processes while instituting a culture of continuous improvement. ⸻ Tools & Technologies HubSpot, Pipefy, Zapier, Make, Ontraport, Fireflies, Klaviyo, ActiveCampaign, GHL, SquareSpace, WordPress, Lucid, MailChimp, Constant Contact, ClickUp, Jotform, Calendly, YouCanBookMe, Kajabi, ClickFunnels, Keap, PandaDoc, Shopify, WooCommerce, JustCall, Aircall, Stripe,... and many more APIs, webhooks, automation frameworks ⸻ Results ➖ Reduced operational costs by 30% through automation and system redesign ➖ Increased sales team efficiency by 40% via CRM optimization ➖ Built 200+ integrations, reducing data delays by 70% ➖ Designed systems handling 1M+ daily transactions with 99.9% uptime ➖ Cut infrastructure costs by 50% through cloud optimization ⸻ If you’re looking to: ✔️ Replace manual processes with scalable systems ✔️ Clean up and optimize your CRM ✔️ Introduce AI into your workflows (without overcomplicating things) ✔️ Build systems that support real growth Let’s talk.

👉Are you struggling with your enterprise/key accounts or partner & distributor acquisition in your home market or when entering new markets such as Europe, the US, or the Middle East? I help startups, SMEs, and PE-backed companies with a B2B or B2B2C business model craft sales strategies that grow revenue fast, build a sales team, and acquire & manage enterprise/key accounts/partners (as an individual contributor building relationships with a high LVT as well) in their home market or new markets. A foot in blue-chip corporations (Coca-Cola system, Ecolab (NYSE: ECL), and another in startups (SaaS, AI, marketplaces) with a focus on B2B sales and B2B2C describe my career. See below examples of challenges and how I can help the companies to overcome them👇 👨‍💻Tech Startups - Idea stage GTM | Country Launcher I launch new markets, define the go-to-market strategy, and land the first clients and customers for marketplaces and SaaS while in discovery mode, getting insights for product development. 🤜 I launched a British multisided marketplace and SaaS tool in Iberia as Country Director, having defined the go-to-market strategy. As an individual contributor, I signed the first users, landed the first customers in two weeks, and closed the first corporate client in two months. 👉 I have helped an AI Chrome extension from a US startup develop a scrappy GTM for user acquisition, having conducted Customer Development to improve the PLG strategy. 👉 I improved the positioning & partner management processes of a German hardware startup. 👉 I developed the GTM for a Spanish biotech startup. 🏢 International Expansion, Enterprise Sales & Corporate Sales👇 I set up sales departments, and as an individual contributor, I own the full sales cycle and land new clients. I will expand the existing accounts by partnering with clients to develop plans to grow your revenue. 🤜 I helped EasyJet Airline PLC set up a Remote International Account team, and as an individual contributor, I got RFPs from Business Travel Global Accounts with no traction (UK, Netherlands, Denmark, and the USA) accounts partnering with clients and external stakeholders. I've landed new clients/accounts using my own Rolodex. I founded a Wellness Business with a D2C and B2B business model where I sold wellness programs to HR departments that survived during the financial crisis. 🚀Key Accounts Management & Direction B2B2C and Export Management 👇 I start new departments, working with different stakeholders in product development, while negotiating complex deals from prospecting, lead nurturing, to closing the first deals to get revenue quickly. 🤜I started a BU at Ecolab (NYSE: ECL), taking it from 0 to 1 in 6 months, launching in one year with almost 1 million euros in revenue. 👉 I helped plant-based & organic food companies expand internationally as International Marketing Manager while in London and Barcelona. I transform sales departments into Key Account Departments when you already have several customer segments and drive growth via partner/client strategies 🤜l transformed a sales department into the Away From Home Key Accounts Department at the Coca-Cola bottler with another colleague and maintained a 20% YOY growth over 5 years. Me in a nutshell👇 - 7 New Ventures of my own. - Started the business of 2 startups in Iberia. - 4 new ventures at the prototype stage (hardware, app, marketplace) - Started 3 Departments/Business Units at 2 Food & Beverage Corporations and a biotech startup. - Managed up to 55 million euros of revenue, - 8 years in management and P&L roles in corporations. - Team leadership across multiple geographies. - Acquired & managed clients/partners/distributors worldwide (Europe, Asia, Brazil, and the USA). - B2B2C, B2C, B2B. - Negotiated many deals from 2.000 euro contracts to complex multi-million euro contracts with corporations: Retail: Carrefour, Dia%, Auchan, Intermarché, El Corte Inglês, Sonae, Makro, etc. Food & Beverages: Burger King, Sodexo, Compass. Travel & Tourism: Accor Hotels, Marriott Hotels, Club Med, Sheraton Hotels, Hilton. FMCG: Heineken, Unilever, P&G, Beiersdorf, J&J, Johnson's Wax, etc. Banking: Nomura, Citi, JP Morgan, Morgan & Stanley. Industry expertise: SaaS, Fintech, Food & Beverages, Skincare/Cosmetics, Marketing Services, Non-Profit, Organic Food. You can find me in London, Lisbon, or Barcelona, or where you need me! Looking forward to helping you!

C-suite Executive: Strategy | Growth | Operations Visionary Leadership for Ground-Up System & Infrastructure Solutions Propelling Massive Growth Multi-Industry Expertise: Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), Agriculture, Health and Wellness, Logistics & Marketing EXECUTIVE BIOGRAPHY The hallmark of Faron McNeal’s successful career driving revenue growth, value creation, and operational excellence is his passion for people—from customers to employees and the executive management teams of which he has been a part. With a fearless, deeply curious approach to building and scaling effective organizations, he embeds a spirit of empowerment and transparency into his leadership which has enabled him to excel across multiple business disciplines. Faron’s forte is translating the vision of CEOs leading small- and medium-sized businesses into real-world infrastructures, systems, and processes and guiding his C-suite colleagues along the journey to new heights of growth. Complemented by his aptitude for operationalizing high-level corporate strategy is his uncanny ability to identify areas of opportunity and convergence that others miss. As head of sales operations for DCA Outdoor, a 12-brand holding company in the agricultural industry with $100M in revenue, he has served as a trusted advisor and de facto chief of staff to the president/founder as he shapes systems and processes to support a goal of scaling five-fold over the next five years. His efforts have accelerated the sales cycle for a 100-person commercial organization, rearchitected a ten-year-old Salesforce platform, laid the groundwork for enterprise-wide data transformation, and established an actionable plan for boosting sales discipline. In 2018, Faron founded BEO Consulting as an avenue through which he could extend his impact to diverse small- and medium-sized businesses with a strong emphasis on agile, entrepreneurial startups. He currently serves as fractional chief sales officer for First Cornerstone Group, a real estate education and marketing company, where he is partnering with the CEO to jumpstart revenue generation through vigorous attention to top-flight sales systems and processes. He was recruited to join FlexPro, a subscription-based meal delivery company, as the vice president of sales and services. Here, he co-led a business transformation to drive sustainable, scalable growth as revenue exploded five-fold. He introduced processes, systems, and team structures that reversed losses into an 18% positive margin and reduced customer churn from 25% to 10%. He continues to provide consulting support to the business and manages a portfolio of projects to continue its upward trajectory while serving as an executive coach to top talent. Faron’s track record of turnaround leadership and sales operations excellence was established early on in his career. As director of business development for Tanner Consolidated Holdings, a Kansas-based products and services business, he revitalized an underperforming team of account managers to ultimately yield a twelve-fold increase in net operating income and industry-leading client retention rates. His attention to the scaffolding onto which high-growth organizations are built, coupled with his abiding commitment to championing a high-performance culture of training and empowerment, enabled him to steer a departure from the industry’s breakeven mindset to a profitability-driven business model. In 2004, he was selected to serve as team manager for Rush, a Knoxville-based products and services business and quickly earned the reputation as the go-to leader for turning around struggling businesses, which earned him two promotions into director-level roles overseeing education and sales. He built leadership strengths, sales competencies, and workplace cultures that directly contributed to the company’s expansion from three to 23 locations and ultimately played a vital role in a subsequent sale to Gold’s Gym International. Faron earned his MBA from Northwest Missouri State University and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee. Civic minded from an early age, he achieved his Eagle Scout award as a teen and continues to engage in his local community as a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City.

Through pure grit, you've built something real. Now it needs to run without you in every decision. I'm a Fractional COO who designs, installs, and runs the operational infrastructure that fast-moving businesses need to scale, without adding complexity or chaos. My approach follows a disciplined sequence: Diagnose | Design | Document | Delegate. Every engagement ends with your team running the system, not depending on me. What I've delivered: 🚀 4 x revenue growth in 4 months - $300k to $1.2m increase in monthly sales by fixing the fulfillment process 🚀 4× revenue growth in 4 years ($600K → $2.4M) through systematic scaling 🚀 $4M project redevelopment delivered ahead of schedule and under budget 🚀 10% COGS reduction through team redesign and automation 🚀 60+ staff hired and onboarded through purpose-built recruitment systems 🚀 Doubled business footprint (3 to 6 sites) in 12 months through scalable systems 🚀 $10M P&L accountability across multiple operating entities What makes this different in 2026: I now design my own custom systems. Using AI-augmented workflows, live dashboards, and automated pipelines, I deliver operational infrastructure faster and at a fraction of what a full-time COO costs. Clients keep what I build. It works without me. I have working expereince in using Claude, OpenAI, Vercel, Supabase, Apollo, Instantly, and Github. Core Expertise: Business Systems Design & Implementation Strategic Operations Leadership Performance Optimization Leadership Team Development Process Engineering & Automation Sectors I've worked in: NDIS Aged Care Healthcare including medical Fitness Entertainment Publishing Professional services Financial Services I work with a small number of clients on ongoing retainer engagements. If you're a founder or CEO building past $1M and ready to install systems that scale without you, let's talk. Core specializations: Fractional COO, COO, Chief Operating Officer, Business Advisor, Business Consultant, Operations Systems Expert, Operations Strategist, Integrator, Systems Integrator, Executive Coach, Startup Operations Consultant, Scaling Expert, Fractional COO, Business Advisor, Operations Systems Expert, Integrator, Business Operations, Strategic Planning, Operational Planning, Organizational Design, Business Scaling, Workflow Optimization, Process Improvement, SOP Development, KPI Development, Leadership Team Development, Staff Recruitment & Management, EOS Integrator, Scaling Up, Performance Optimization, Operational Efficiency, Project Management, Change Management, Business Process Mapping, Operational Frameworks, Team Accountability Systems, Monday, ClickUp, Notion, Dashboard Reporting, AI Operations.

B2B SaaS sales leader with a track record of growing revenue and beating targets across the US, EMEA and APAC. Skilled at building and leading high-performing teams, shaping go-to-market strategy and closing complex, multi-stakeholder deals. Combines commercial, technical and operational depth to optimise sales processes, open new markets and build long-term, trusted customer relationships.