How it works
Most firms start with a pitch. We start with a free talk. First we find the problem. Then you choose what happens next.
Three ways to work with us
Free · 30 minutes · online
We find what is stuck and tell you what to do next.
You may work with us. You may fix it on your own. Both are good outcomes.
Paid · one clear job
We fix one key problem, from your margins to your pitch.
The problem gets fixed, or you learn what still stands in the way.
Ongoing · we run the plan
We lead the full plan and keep every expert moving as one team.
Best for brands that need one person to own the whole plan.
After Coffee
You may hire us. You may not. The point is to leave knowing what to do next.
We fix one clear job. You see the scope in writing first.
We lead the full plan when the work will take time.
Your team can handle the next step. We tell you how.
We are not the right fit. We point you in a better direction.
Now is not the right time. We tell you that for free.
Who does what
We find the problem, build the plan, and keep it moving. Each expert handles the part they know best.
| Seat | CLD leads | A specialist may deliver |
|---|---|---|
| Money & Margins | Your true cost, your price, case-pack size, and promo budget. | Deep financial models, trade-spend tools, and category data. |
| Brand, Packaging & Pitch | Your promise, your pack brief, your shelf role, and your pitch. | Logo design, package art, dielines, and deck design. |
| Buyers & Brokers | Which store to chase, when to pitch, and which broker to trust. | Broker work, distributor ties, and in-store selling. |
| Making & Shipping | Choosing a maker, facing real order sizes and lead times, planning logistics. | Making, co-packing, freight, storage, and item setup. |
| Website & Growth | Checking your online proof and linking your site to your retail story. | Shopify builds, testing, paid ads, and creative. |
| Money to Grow & Team | Getting you ready for funding and spotting gaps in your team. | Funding intros where agreed, part-time leaders, and hands to do the work. |
Client-to-specialist contracting remains direct unless separately agreed in writing. Compensated referral relationships, where they exist, are disclosed.
Money and timing
Coffee is free. Lunch and Dinner are paid. You get the scope, price, and timing in writing before work starts.
Asked plainly
No. Coffee may lead to Lunch, Dinner, an internal fix, a third-party resource, or no further engagement. The sequence exists so the work happens in the right order when it happens, not to move you up a ladder.
Lunch and Dinner are paid engagements. Exact scope and commercial terms are confirmed after Coffee, in writing, before any work starts. We do not quote a number before we understand the problem.
You contract with the specialist directly unless we separately agree otherwise in writing. Where a compensated referral relationship exists, it is disclosed.
No, and no honest advisor can. We help you get ready, choose the right route, and coordinate the work. Access, placement, and purchase orders are retailer decisions.
Any introduction depends on fit, mutual interest, consent, and availability. CLD is an independent advisor and does not guarantee retailer access, placement, a purchase order, distribution, funding, or business results.