Case Studies

Business Support Program

 Luminary Publishing  www.chronogram.com

 This family-owned company publishes several titles, most prominent of which is Chronogram, a magazine that covers the arts, culture, and spirit of the Hudson Valley.  It is also very supportive of the local business community. The founders retained On Belay Business Advisors to help them and the executive management team take a far-reaching look at their business and create a cohesive plan that would enable this fast-growing company to move forward and achieve their vision. To that end, we provided them with financial reviews and branding and marketing plans. We created an enhanced professional staff recruitment and organizational development process that included results-driven job descriptions to improve team performance. We developed a website strategy and a national affiliate licensee program and worked on event production. And we helped Luminary expand their commitment to corporate social responsibility. 

 Indian Creek Electric                www.icelectric.com  

 The owner of this Philadelphia-based large and growing family-owned electrical contracting business called on On Belay to support him in his transition from being “a member of the orchestra” to being “the conductor.” We taught him how to work on his business, not in it, and how to use his leadership skills to provide his company with the structure and processes it needed to support their vision of success.

 Interim Management

  Ciclismo Classico                   www.ciclismoclassico.com  

 After 20 years of running her company, Ciclismo Classico’s founder felt the need for a change. Ajax was asked to step in as part-time interim General Manager at their Boston-area headquarters. Over a four-month period he helped the principals of this family-owned business deal with the transitional issues of the founder stepping aside, solved several key operational challenges, and—most importantly—replaced himself by locating, screening, and offering to the family an acceptable permanent General Manager candidate.

 Contract Services

 The Nation                                     www.thenation.com 

The oldest weekly magazine in America in continuous publication since 1865, The Nation is considered by many to be the flagship of the progressive left media. On Belay was asked to help increase The Nation’s already substantial commitment to corporate social responsibility. We achieved this aim by engaging staff at all levels of the organization and surveying them with 60 questions in nine key areas, which enabled us to identify and prioritize the best approach based on impact, staff interest, staff resources, and budget. 

 Corn Cow Farm, Inc.  www.gnomeonthegrange.com

 Gnome on the Grange is home of Chomsky, the Guiness Book of World Records’ largest garden gnome.  On Belay Business Advisors helped structure and negotiate a joint venture agreement with a local business to create a dynamic, regionally important roadside attraction and agricultural education center. We also provided marketing, accounting, and strategic planning support to this woman-owned company.

 Executive Coaching

 Lucky Chocolates                  www.luckychocolates.com

 The owner of this  premier manufacturer, wholesaler, and retailer of organic, free-trade chocolate retained On Belay Business Advisors when zoning officials shut down her  home-based small business. We supported her in the transition to a new production and retail facility and helped develop the company’s operational, staffing, and marketing planning. 

Happy Baby                           www.happybaby.com 

 This manufacturer of organic baby food is a high profile, fast growth start-up company. On Belay provided mentoring aimed at helping the founder/CEO integrate her vision with daily operations and the constant challenge of fundraising as well as the possibility of sweeping corporate change brought on by significant strategic partnerships.

 Green Courage                      www.greencourage.com

 Green Courage is a cutting-edge retailer and wholesaler of environmentally responsible interior building materials. The focus of our work with this business founder was to mentor her on the strategic direction of her growth company. 

 Inspired Books                       www.inspiredinkingston.com 

 On Belay supported a former advertising executive who was living her dream of owning a small local bookstore and being a life coach. We assisted her in that transition by making her extensive corporate experience relevant and transferable to a small business environment with an impressive social mission.

 Raising Healthy Voices         www.raisinghealthyvoices.com

 The founder of Raising Healthy Voices is a former attorney, government housing policy employee, non-profit leader, and AIDS activist. Her current work as a keynote speaker and seminar, workshop, and retreat leader is truly unique. On Belay’s coaching includes—in addition to business and marketing advice—being a business friend helping her deal with the loneliest job in the world:  owning your own business.