Steven B.

𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐌𝐞 I build the operational infrastructure and systems for scaling companies stuck between growth momentum and operational capacity. With 30+ years as a CEO/COO across major companies and entrepreneurial businesses I've founded, acquired, grown, and sold, I bring executive pattern recognition to complex growth challenges. Today, I integrate that experience with AI-enhanced strategic frameworks to solve high-stakes growth and transformation challenges. My proprietary Big 3™ Framework translates strategy into clear priorities, accountable ownership, and disciplined execution. 𝑻𝒐𝒑-𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝑷𝒍𝒖𝒔 (100% Job Success), 𝑬𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒕-𝑽𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒅 (top 1%). 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 I've led and operated businesses across the full growth spectrum—from entrepreneurial and formative-stage companies to national multi-unit organizations, private-equity and venture-backed roll-ups, and billion-dollar corporate environments. I now bring that range of experience to CEOs as a strategic advisor and fractional executive. My experience spans service businesses, digital commerce, healthcare, manufacturing, franchising, and multi-unit operations. 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐬: Principal & COO, Nathan's Famous — QSR and CPG Senior Division Executive — $1.4B Goldman Sachs-backed acquisition COO, National PetCare — VC-backed veterinary care roll-up, 90 U.S. locations Owner & CEO, Gianna Rose Atelier, luxury products manufacturer + e-commerce SVP, Chock Full 'o Nuts — NYSE food manufacturing & distribution company COO, national 125-unit restaurant system 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲, 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡, & 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽: Executive guidance and hands-on expertise to accelerate transformation (Fractional COO/Strategic Advisor). 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: Vision to executable roadmap, enhanced by AI-driven insights and predictive analytics. 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Team empowerment, accountability systems, and AI-powered KPI dashboards for real-time performance optimization. 𝗔𝗜-𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: Automated workflows, AI-enhanced SOPs, and integrated project management systems. 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀: Guide companies through the complexities of multi-unit expansion—from unit economics and growth strategy to operating infrastructure, franchise systems, and scalable execution. 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘆: Strategic financial planning powered by AI analytics to accelerate growth and inform critical decisions. 𝗠&𝗔 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘆: Financial and operational due diligence, valuation analysis, and post-acquisition integration with AI-powered analytics. ------------ 𝗘𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 & 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 I maintain Top-Rated Plus status with a 100% Job Success score. Please see how I got there by reading my Upwork client reviews. For deeper insight into my collaborative approach, I've included testimonials from former colleagues below: ". . . Steve challenged and pushed our Coca-Cola team, and he held us accountable. As a result of his leadership, our partnership and collaboration rose to new heights, creating more value for both." -- Ted Yost, Former VP Strategic Development, The Coca Cola Company. " . . . Steven was responsible for driving significant growth and value for his organization. His perseverance as a skilled operator, attention to detail, and strategic vision for building and executing the digital roadmap, helped grow [his company's] highly-competitive e-commerce platform." -- Scott Lamb, Former Sr. VP, Olo. ". . . Steven brought an incredible amount of discipline through process . . . , which drove brand performance. His ability to leverage technology, and a collaboratively-built brand strategy, lead to success during his tenure." -- Harry Price, Former Director of Sales - North America, The Coca Cola Company. ---------- 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 I partner selectively with scaling companies where growth runs the risk of outpacing operational capacity—businesses that need systems built to match their momentum.