Hi
My name is Jeff Dussich.
I am a hopeless romantic when it comes to business. I've been known to become enamored with dull subject matter because I see the niche that can be exploited.
For nearly two decades, I have worked in both a B2B janitorial supply distribution business and a B2C consumer products company. In the consumer products company, I forged relationships with the biggest retailers in the world, growing revenue from zero to deep into eight figures, soon to be nine.
I've seen it all, I've done it all. I've had wins, losses, and blowout losses. (Hint: you learn way more from losses than you ever do from wins).
I've navigated the seas you're trying to navigate. This season of my life is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and businesses spot the mines, while also keeping an eye on the big picture and scaling around the engine - the person, product, or service that makes the business unique.
I am passionate about taking your vision and turning into a cash cow. Unless you don't want a cash-cow business. And if you don't, that's OK, and I'd love to hear why not.
EXPERTISE & SERVICES
Taking Your Business to
the Next Level
Business Evaluation
The most basic building blocks. Whether you're a pre-revenue start-up, or an early stage company that is trying to find its stride, I can help you see the forest for the trees.
Competitive Assessment
My favorite thing to do. There's nothing quite like a deep dive into the vast ocean of competitive products and services. What is the inefficiency or assortment void in the market that your product/service can address? What are the consistent branding messages across your competition that seem to resonate with your target market?
Identify the Engine & Scale Around It
Your business, or your business idea, has an engine. It's the person, product, or service that makes your business relevant. In order for your business to be successful, you need to be crystal clear about this engine and how it's presented to your target market. Once that is solidified, we need to scale around that engine so that the business can maximize revenue and efficiency. I love efficiency
Fail Fast
Do you practice radical honesty? It's not always good in relationships, but extremely helpful in business. You are brave enough to get your business to this point. Let's you and I together be brave enough to take a sober look at your business and decide if we need to pivot. The sooner we fail, the sooner we correct.
Presentation Preparation
First big pitch at Walmart? Raising money from friends and family? You can never be too prepared. I've developed and presented hundreds of decks. Were some of them wordy? Yes. Were they effective? Also yes.
Do You Know...?
Whatever comes after this, my answer is: yes, or I know someone that does. Do you know where I can get a quick prototype? Do you know how to prepare for (and present at) a Trade Show? Do you know about UPCs, GTINs, pallet patterns, retailer deductions, line reviews, die lines, NDAs, MOQs, the USPTO, H2R Logos, and Prop 65? Glad you asked. Yes, I do.
General Business Knowledge
I'm not an attorney, and make no claim to offer legal advice. But I do know the types of attorneys and documentation that you need to start and protect your business. Remember: I've made the mistakes already.
Ideal Client
I have found my best fit with companies and entrepreneurs that are super early-stage (you've got an idea but need help organizing) up to $20MM in revenue (you're clearly doing something right but need help scaling and/or finding the next $20MM revenue).
I'm Good With Numbers
18
Years of Experience
14
Domestic & International Patents
12
Relationships with World Class Retailers
$150M+
Aggregate Retail Business Awards
PHILOSOPHY
My Philosophy
Today’s consumer goods economy is as close to a meritocracy as we have ever been. Eventually, the best companies and products will find a way to be successful, and the inefficient companies will be left with boxes of trade show swag that has their defunct company’s logo on them. (Hint: don’t spend money on swag until we talk.)
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There are, of course, caveats.
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Inefficient, yet well-funded, companies often exist for longer than they should. Conversely, great companies, great products, great ideas, often do not get off the ground because they are unable to find funding. This second group of companies, though, has a fighting chance of success.
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Every business must exist for a reason. The bigger your aspirations, the more you need to be able to defend that reason. If you are the only plumber in a small town, your service can be mediocre, and you’ll probably continue to have a stable business. If you want to expand to other towns, you’ll need to distinguish yourself against competition.
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Similarly, if your service falls below mediocrity, there’s a decent chance someone will teach themselves to be a plumber – and there’s a decent chance she/he will be one of your unsatisfied customers.
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Today’s e-commerce economy and social media dominance has leveled the playing field for budding entrepreneurs.
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Good news: the barriers to entry into virtually any field are lower than they have ever been in modern history. You can bring your dream/idea to life, compete with behemoths, and cash flow your business in a matter of months.
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Bad news: the barriers to entry into virtually any field are lower than they have ever been in modern history. Your neighbor can bring her/his dream/idea to life, compete with you, and cash flow their business in a matter of months. (You didn’t tell them about your idea for the personalized oven mitts, did you?)
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This Amazonification of the world cuts both ways.
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It is important to always watch the rest of the economy for consumer trends and for the tools you can use to efficiently penetrate your target market, and eventually scale your business.
PROCESS
The Process
Our process for working together starts with iterative discussions. I ask a lot of questions. I am still working on holding back my opinion until all questions are answered, but sometimes I just can’t help myself. Apologies in advance.
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Why are you doing this?
We’ll eventually get to “how are you doing this?” and “are there better ways to be doing this?” but for now, let’s start with the easiest and most loaded question. Why are you doing this? Why this company or this idea, right now? What was your inspiration?
Fast forward 2 years – what is the vision of this successful business that gives you butterflies in your stomach?
I have many questions about you and your business, but if we can define the beginning of the story, and the beautiful vision of your business firing on all cylinders, the rest is just a matter of organization, planning, and execution (OPE).
Simple enough, right?
The nature of my questions vary based on the type of business, and of course, the stage of the business.
Just starting up? Some questions may include: how much time do you have to dedicate to this? Are you in a financial position to invest in your own business? If not, do you have a rich aunt that thinks you’re a genius?
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If you’re an early stage, early revenue business that can’t seem to unlock your value, some questions may include: what has worked so far? What do customers say about your product/service? What, in
your mind, is holding you back?
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I look forward to working with you to answer these foundational questions.
CONTACT
Let's Connect