If your team is talented but your systems are duct tape and spreadsheets, that's exactly where I come in. I'm Clishe Larke, M.Ed., PMP, PSM I, Operations Strategist, AI Systems Consultant, and Founder of LC Business Services LLC. I work with small businesses, nonprofits, and founder-led organizations to build the operational foundation they need before adding automation, AI, or scale. My work has been featured in WE Magazine for Women and the Leadership Loading Podcast for my Foundation First approach to AI-powered operational transformation. My results speak for themselves: → 50% reduction in client onboarding time → 18+ hours saved per engagement through workflow automation → 689 tasks completed across 15 simultaneous projects → 100+ outreach emails per week enabled through strategic system setup What I bring to every engagement: Project Management (PMP + PSM I certified) I manage end-to-end projects in both Agile and Waterfall environments, keeping scope tight, timelines moving, and stakeholders aligned. I've led multi-phase projects for state government agencies, nonprofit organizations, executive coaching firms, and private sector clients. Operations & Workflow Design I audit, map, and rebuild operational processes that create clarity and eliminate bottlenecks. My work includes SOP development, onboarding system redesigns, knowledge management infrastructure, and cross-functional coordination. AI & Automation Implementation I design intelligent workflows using Airtable, Make, n8n, Notion AI, and Power Automate. My Foundation First approach ensures automation is built on clean, well-documented processes, not layered on top of chaos. Strategic Planning & Stakeholder Engagement I've led Theory of Change workshops, facilitated strategic planning sessions for 12+ person leadership teams, authored 15-page stakeholder engagement reports, and designed monitoring and evaluation frameworks with SMART indicators and prototype dashboards. Fractional Chief of Staff For founders and executives who need more than a project manager, I serve as an embedded strategic operator translating priorities into plans, managing follow-through, coordinating stakeholders, and keeping key initiatives moving without close supervision. Sectors served: small business · nonprofit · state government · professional services · executive coaching Tools: Asana · ClickUp · Airtable · Notion · n8n · Make · Power Automate · Google Workspace · Jira · Confluence · SharePoint · QuickBooks · Loom · Scribe My work is grounded in one belief: strategic operations and AI-ready systems built to last, not just launch. I'm selective about the clients I take on because I'm committed to doing the work well. If you're ready to stop reacting and start operating strategically, let's talk.

When a project stalls or things start to feel like organized chaos, it's usually not a people problem. It's a structure problem. I help teams get out of reactive mode and into systems that actually work. Most of the clients I work with already have tools in place, whether that's ClickUp, Airtable, Asana, or something similar. The issue is usually that the setup has become hard to manage, difficult to trust, or inconsistent across the team. Tasks fall through the cracks, reporting is unclear, and no one is fully confident in what's getting done. That's where I come in. My background is 20+ years in enterprise operations and data strategy, most of it inside Fortune 500 financial services. I work with small businesses and growing teams now, but the systems thinking comes from environments where things had to work at scale. I look at how your work actually runs day to day, figure out where things are breaking down, and rebuild your system so it's clear, usable, and aligned to how your team operates. Typical work includes: Cleaning up and restructuring ClickUp, Airtable, or Asana setups that have gotten unwieldy Designing role-based dashboards so individual contributors, managers, and leadership each see what's relevant to them Building CRMs and intake systems that replace spreadsheets and manual tracking Standardizing workflows and SOPs so work doesn't get stuck when one person is out Building dashboards in AgencyAnalytics, ClickUp, or Asana so leadership can actually make decisions My approach is practical and focused on adoption. If a system looks good but your team won't use it, it doesn't work. AI is part of how I work now. I use Claude, ChatGPT, and Copilot for things like research, documentation drafts, and dashboard prototyping, which means I can turn around in days what used to take weeks. The recommendations are still mine; the tools just help me get to them faster. I don't hand off a plan and disappear. I stay through implementation, work alongside your team, and make sure the system actually runs before stepping back. A few things clients have said: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Rose-Ann led an enterprise-level initiative across multiple teams. She mitigated risk, delivered on time, and was a key reason the project succeeded." — Sal V., Sr. Program Manager, Fortune 500 Asset Management Firm ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Exceptional technical PM. On the ball, responsive, responsible, diligent, organized, intelligent, and also just a pleasant person to work with. You would be lucky to have her on your team." — Charlie Render, Render Analytics ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"She really took the time to understand our business and came up with a system that was tailor-made for our needs. Knowledgeable, goes the extra mile, and a true pleasure to work with." — Fadima F., INNATE Traditions If you’ve got a project that needs structure or a system that could run more smoothly, feel free to reach out. Happy to talk through what’s going on and see how I can help.

You already know you're the bottleneck in your business. Every decision, every approval, every fire routes back to you. And now everyone's piling on about AI, too. Here's what they're missing: AI can't run a business that lives in your head. The tools aren't the hard part. The hard part is getting the business out of your head. And that's what I do. In practice, that means: - Turning how the work runs from something in your head into systems your team—and your AI—can actually run - Standing up the project-management structure, KPIs, and accountability that make delivery visible instead of living in your head - Delegating decisions to your team (with guardrails), not just the tasks, so people stop waiting on you - Bringing AI and automation in where they remove real busywork. They need to be aimed at the right problems, the right way Some of my accomplishments: 40 hours/week recovered for founders, 98% client repeat engagement, 200+ workflows systemized, and 20+ years in operations. On Upwork alone, I've earned $300K+ with 100% Job Success. I'm senior and hands-on, but I don't waste your hours on low-leverage work. Rather, I architect the systems and bring in specialists to execute to specifications, the same "right person on the right task" principle I'll build into your business. Clients tend to see around $40K a year in savings along the way, while saving on average 10+ hours a week. The point is to get you out of the middle of everything. The cost savings are just a bonus. **Engagement options:** $125/hour or fixed-fee projects starting at $3,000, based on scope.

Are you a founder or CEO of a 7–8 figure business ready to scale—but bogged down in day-to-day operations? If your company feels stuck in the weeds and you're constantly putting out fires instead of focusing on growth, it’s time to bring in operational leadership that creates clarity, structure, and momentum. I'm a C-level operator with a proven track record of leading and mentoring 8-figure companies. I specialize in transforming operational chaos into streamlined, scalable systems—and helping teams evolve as their business matures. Whether you're looking for a fractional COO or strategic consulting, I help businesses: -Streamline operations to reduce overhead and increase capacity -Build and align high-performing teams around clear KPIs and ownership -Improve financial visibility and forecasting for sustainable growth -Navigate change as you transition from startup to a structured, scalable company If you're ready for experienced, no-fluff operational support that drives real results—let’s connect.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐I DEFINITELY made the RIGHT decision to go with Erik. He is EXTREMELY proficient. Is your technology roadmap truly aligned with your business goals? Are your teams delivering products efficiently and on time? If you're facing stalled projects, inefficient workflows, or a disconnect between your tech capabilities and your company vision, I can help. I am a senior technology leader with over 20 years of experience helping companies—from ambitious startups to large corporations—navigate complex digital transformations. I act as an extension of your leadership team to diagnose issues and implement solutions that deliver measurable results. My core consulting services include: Technology & Team Audits: A comprehensive assessment of your current people, processes, and platforms to identify critical gaps and opportunities. Strategic Roadmap Development: Collaborating with your stakeholders to build a clear, prioritized plan for technology and product development. Process Optimization: Implementing tailored Agile and governance principles to break through bottlenecks and accelerate your product lifecycle. Large-Scale Project Leadership: Steering complex, multi-million dollar technology initiatives to successful completion. I've successfully guided growth and transformation in Fintech, Retail, Services, Manufacturing, and Government. Want to ensure your technology investments are generating maximum ROI? Invite me to your project, and let's schedule a call to discuss the specific challenges you're facing.

Start with a $100 written assessment of your books, margins, and reporting. I give you a one-page memo that says what your numbers mean, what is missing, and what the next move is worth. No sales call. You decide what happens next. Forty plus years as a CFO, mostly with owner-operated companies between $2M and $50M in revenue. I work in three lanes. E-commerce and distribution. Shopify, Amazon, wholesale, warehouse management systems, books in QuickBooks or NetSuite. Stock-keeping-unit-level margin, channel profitability, and 13-week cash forecasts that pull from actuals each week instead of waiting on month-end. Specialty manufacturing and job-cost businesses. Job-level cost tracking in your ERP, books in QuickBooks. Pricing analysis, capacity planning, and the bridge between the shop floor and the income statement. Mission-driven and transition-stage companies. Nonprofits, family-run service firms, founders preparing for exit. Budget-to-actual reporting, board packets, and quality-of-earnings preparation. What I actually deliver for clients: Margin intelligence at the stock-keeping-unit, channel, and customer-cohort level. 13-week rolling cash forecasts that update from real data, not assumptions. Board-grade reporting with budget-to-actual and variance narrative the owner can read in two minutes. Quality-of-earnings preparation for owners getting ready to sell. Background you can verify: Seven years as seated CFO at International Imaging Electronics. Took the company from bankruptcy turnaround to preferred-provider status with Toshiba, Acuson, GE, and Siemens. Selected and implemented the INMASS ERP. Partner at Tatum, the largest national fractional CFO practice in the US before the Randstad acquisition. Fractional CFO at Alpine Consulting. Grew the company from $4M to $10M plus in revenue. Exited to HeroDigital with PwC quality-of-earnings on the deal. ERP implementation work including Edwards Garments. Oliver Wight certified. Power BI practitioner. I build the reporting infrastructure with my clients, not just talk about it. How engagements work: Start with the $100 written assessment. If we both want to do more, the next step is a fixed-fee diagnostic that produces an actionable plan with a dollar value attached to each finding. After that, fixed-fee implementation projects or a monthly retainer, whichever fits the scope. Hourly work available at $250 per hour when the scope is too narrow for a fixed fee.

I'm Talha Shakeel. TOP-RATED PLUS SDR with 9+ years of extensive experience on Upwork. With 34,000+ billable hours delivered on Upwork, helping B2B and B2C SaaS, AI startups, agencies, and service businesses book qualified sales meetings through LinkedIn outreach, cold email, and AI-assisted personalization. If you need a reliable GTM partner to fill your calendar with qualified discovery calls, not just open rates or vanity metrics, you're in the right place. I run end-to-end sales development: ICP research, prospect list building, multichannel sequencing (LinkedIn + email), reply handling, lead qualification, and meeting booking straight into your calendar. What I deliver: • Qualified sales appointments booked with decision-makers who match your ICP • Personalized LinkedIn connection + follow-up sequences (no mass blasts) • Cold email campaigns with deliverability-safe infrastructure • AI-assisted prospect research and 1-to-1 personalization at scale • Clean targeting using Sales Navigator, Apollo, and intent signals • Reply management, objection handling, and CRM hygiene • Weekly reporting on pipeline, reply rates, and booked meetings Who I work with: I have booked 4,000+ qualified meetings booked across industries such as B2B SaaS, AI startups, agencies, consultants, coaches, IT service providers, healthcare companies, recruitment and staffing firms, fractional executive practices, and SMBs that need a steady flow of qualified conversations, not a flood of unqualified leads. Tools and platforms: • LinkedIn Sales Navigator • Apollo • Lemlist • Instantly • Smartlead • Expandi • PhantomBuster • Clay • HubSpot • Pipedrive • Salesforce • Airtable • Notion • Google Sheets • ChatGPT • Claude • Perplexity for research. How I use AI in outbound: • Prospect research at scale (firmographic + signal-based segmentation) • 1-to-1 personalization that reads as human, not templated • ICP refinement using reply and meeting data • Sequence A/B testing and copy iteration • Intent signal enrichment (job changes, funding, hiring patterns) Common engagements: • Dedicated fractional SDR for B2B SaaS and AI founders • LinkedIn outreach systems for agencies and consultants • Cold email infrastructure setup, warmup, and deliverability • Outbound for AI startups seeking design partners and early customers • Pipeline generation for service-based businesses If you're looking for a LinkedIn SDR, appointment setter, cold email specialist, Apollo lead generation expert, or B2B outbound partner who combines strategy, execution, and AI tooling, Send me a quick note with your ICP, target market, and monthly meeting goal. I am happy to jump on a discovery call. Talha Shakeel Helping Sales Development teams turn conversations into clients

I help fintech startups, neobanks, and payment companies build secure, scalable products, from digital banking platforms and core banking systems to POS terminal software and payment gateway integrations. With strong experience across the full stack, I deliver end-to-end fintech solutions that are compliant, reliable, and built to scale. What I build: • Digital Banking & Neobank SaaS platforms (onboarding, KYC/AML, wallets, ledgers) • POS Terminal Solutions (Android POS, payment terminal apps, card processing) • Payment Gateway & API Integrations (Stripe, PayPal, ACH, card networks) • Core Banking Systems & financial dashboards • Secure REST APIs, microservices, and cloud-native architecture • B2B Sales outreach AI SAAS Platform just like Instantly • Food Delivery Platform Tech stack: Frontend: React, Next.js, TypeScript Backend: Node.js, Python, Java Database: PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB Cloud/DevOps: AWS, Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD I focus on security, PCI-DSS-aware development, and clean architecture so your fintech product is ready for real users and real transactions. Let’s discuss how I can help bring your digital banking or POS terminal project to life. Message me to get started.

Business Consultant, Fractional COO, Startup Advisor & Mentor for the Gov Exec Management Program, I’m passionate about helping businesses with practical, actionable growth strategies to navigate challenges, overcome stagnation and scale. I provide clear, no-nonsense guidance on pressing challenges, and can set up efficient operations and workflows that support long-term growth. Over the past 20 years I’ve worked closely with hundreds of founders on scaling strategy, operations and exit planning. A highly experienced professional, I'm creative and detail-focused, with a strong ability to see scale. Many of my clients have described me as inspiring and particularly skilled at bringing structure to chaos, and creating clear step-by-step launch roadmaps and growth strategy. Experience: • As CEO of a Business Consultancy, I’ve guided numerous founders through my Brand Accelerator program – a structured pathway that takes them from the idea stage to generating revenue, with clear milestones and internal systems mapped out. • As a Startup Advisor and Business Mentor for the Gov Exec Management Program, I work with growth-stage businesses, helping them crystallise strategy and market positioning, and prepare for operational scale • As a fractional COO and Project Manger, I work with founders who need support with building internal processes and organisational structures. I’ve managed complex projects across various sectors, identifying where things weren’t working efficiently and improving workflows to make operations run smoother, including handling resource allocation, marketing, rebranding, and automation. • Designed bespoke business strategy and reviewed 500+ investor decks. Organised and hosted high-end networking events for selected startups to pitch to a room of investors, VCs and Family Offices. • Owner/co-owner of 4 successful businesses Key Skills • Project lifecycle management and workflow optimisation • Scaling operational systems for growth • Business restructuring and change management • Branding, rebranding, and creative market positioning • Identifying unique selling points and differentiation strategies • Marketing strategy and execution • Budget development and financial oversight • Investor relations and fundraising strategy • Pitch deck creation and investor readiness • Stakeholder engagement and community building • Cross-functional team leadership and team structure mapping • Contractor and partner coordination (design, marketing, AI, operations) • AI-powered process and operations integration • Franchising • Mentorship and founder support I currently split my time between London and Miami. Signature programs: Brand Accelerator; Branding, Marketing and AI Tools; Successful Launch Roadmap. LET’S CONNECT!

I am the current Founder & CEO of Sweetberry, a healthy fast-casual chain with locations across the United States. This is currently my 2nd National Restaurant Chain, as I exited my first one with a buyout. I have opened over 30 corporate/franchise restaurants over the past ten years. I frequently speak at restaurant conferences about scaling chains and restaurant technology. In 2020 I won QSR's Top 40 Emerging Concepts and Fast Casuals Top 100 Movers and Shakers. You can Google my name, "Desi Saran," for reference. FastCasual.com and Entrepreneur.com have recognized Sweetberry as 2020's hottest startup fast casuals, 2019 Franchises of the Future, and 2020 Top 100 Movers & Shakers. I am on here looking to help and advise startups, restauranteurs, and business owners. I can provide a wealth of knowledge on starting from scratch, structuring companies, brand development, marketing, tech infrastructure, marketing, finance, franchise, etc. For restaurant expertise, I can help with everything from interior design, commercial real estate, menu engineering, and financial modeling to franchising and growth.