What We Do

---

Business Idea Validation:

Evaluate and validate your business idea to ensure it has market potential and demand.

Conduct market research and competitor analysis to identify opportunities and challenges.

Business Planning: Develop a comprehensive business plan outlining your goals, strategies, and financial projections.

Create a detailed roadmap for your business's growth and sustainability.

Legal Structure and Registration: Advise on selecting the appropriate legal structure (e.g., sole proprietorship, LLC, corporation) for your business.

Assist in registering your business and obtaining the necessary licenses and permits. Our team as recommendations for some of the top business lawyers in the industry.

Financial Strategy: Help with financial planning, including budgeting and forecasting.

Provide guidance on securing funding through loans, investors, or grants.

Market Entry and Branding: Develop a market entry strategy tailored to your target audience.

Create a strong brand identity, including logo design and branding guidelines.

Marketing and Sales Strategies: Develop marketing and advertising campaigns to reach your target market.

Provide sales strategies and techniques to attract and retain customers.

Operations and Process 

Optimization: Streamline your business operations for efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Implement tools and technologies to improve productivity and workflow.

Financial Management: Offer financial management services, including accounting and bookkeeping.

Provide guidance on tax planning and compliance. Our team has recommendations for some of the top CPA's and accountants in the industry.

Risk Management: Identify potential risks to your business and develop risk mitigation strategies.

Ensure legal and regulatory compliance.

Scaling and Growth: Assist in scaling your business as it grows, including expanding to new markets or locations.

Provide strategic advice on mergers, acquisitions, or partnerships.

Technology and Innovation: Recommend and implement technology solutions to enhance your business operations.

Stay updated on industry trends and innovation opportunities.

Human Resources and Talent 

Acquisition: Assist in hiring and developing a skilled workforce.

Provide HR support, including employee policies and performance management.

Exit Strategy: Help develop an exit strategy for your business, whether it's selling, passing it on to family, or other options.

Ongoing Support: Offer ongoing consulting and advisory services to address evolving business challenges.

Provide access to a network of industry experts and resources.

True North Solutions aims to be a comprehensive partner in your entrepreneurial journey, guiding you from the initial idea stage to sustainable growth and success in the business world.

True North Solutions can play a vital role in helping businesses achieve growth through acquisitions and entering emerging markets by offering strategic guidance and services tailored to these specific challenges:

Acquisitions: Target Identification: True North Solutions can assist in identifying potential acquisition targets that align with your growth strategy and objectives. This involves evaluating companies for compatibility in terms of culture, product offerings, and market presence.

Due Diligence: Conduct thorough due diligence to assess the financial health, legal compliance, and risks associated with the target company. This ensures informed decision-making and minimizes post-acquisition surprises.

Valuation: Help determine the fair market value of the target company and negotiate the purchase price, terms, and conditions to ensure a favorable deal for your business.

Integration Planning: Develop a comprehensive integration plan to merge the acquired company into your existing operations seamlessly. This includes aligning technology systems, human resources, and organizational structures.

Risk Mitigation: Identify potential risks associated with the acquisition and develop strategies to mitigate them, ensuring a smoother transition and post-acquisition success.

Emerging Markets Entry:

Market Research: Conduct in-depth market research to understand the dynamics, consumer behavior, and regulatory environment of the emerging market you plan to enter. This research helps in making informed market entry decisions.

Market Entry Strategy: Develop a customized market entry strategy that considers factors such as market size, competition, localization, and distribution channels. This strategy may involve joint ventures, partnerships, or setting up subsidiaries.

Distribution and Supply Chain: Help establish or optimize distribution and supply chain networks to ensure efficient product/service delivery in the emerging market.

Local Partnerships: Facilitate connections with local partners, distributors, suppliers, and government authorities to build a strong network and gain market insights.

Risk Assessment: Identify and assess risks specific to the emerging market, such as political instability, currency fluctuations, and market volatility, and develop risk mitigation strategies.

Marketing and Branding: Adapt marketing and branding strategies to resonate with the local culture and preferences while maintaining global brand consistency.

Long-Term Growth: Develop a long-term growth strategy for sustained success in the emerging market, including plans for product/service expansion and customer retention.

Monitoring and Adaptation: Continuously monitor market conditions, competition, and customer feedback to adapt and refine your strategies for ongoing success.

True North Solutions leverages its expertise in strategic planning, market analysis, risk management, and international business to guide your company through the complexities of growth through acquisitions and entry into emerging markets, ultimately helping you achieve your expansion goals while minimizing potential pitfalls.

True North Solutions can provide invaluable assistance with business succession planning, whether it involves the sale of the business or multi-generational succession within a family-owned enterprise. Here's how they can help:

Sale of Business: Exit Strategy Development: They can work with business owners to develop a comprehensive exit strategy, outlining the timing, method (e.g., sale to a competitor, private equity firm, or management buyout), and goals for the sale.

Preparation for Sale: Assist in preparing the business for sale by identifying and addressing any operational or financial weaknesses that could affect its attractiveness to potential buyers.

Marketing and Sale Negotiation: Help create a compelling sales pitch and marketing strategy to attract prospective buyers. They can also negotiate on your behalf to secure favorable terms and conditions. (True North does not provide legal representation,  but works with appropriate attorneys for them to process the sale.)

Financial Planning: Assist in working with your licensed CPA in structuring the sale in a tax-efficient manner, considering capital gains and other tax implications.

Transition Planning: Help create a transition plan to ensure a smooth handover of the business to the new owner(s), including the transfer of responsibilities, knowledge, and customer relationships.

Multi-Generational Succession:

Family Governance: Facilitate your ability to communicate with your business attorney to create and develop a family governance structure, including family councils or boards, to establish clear decision-making processes and guidelines for family involvement in the business.

Succession Planning: Work with family members to identify potential successors, considering their skills, qualifications, and commitment to the business. Develop a timeline for the transition.

Leadership Development: Provide leadership development and training programs for the next generation of leaders within the family to ensure they are well-prepared for their roles.

Conflict Resolution: Mediate and resolve conflicts that may arise within the family business, helping to maintain family harmony and business continuity.

Estate and Wealth Planning: Collaborate with legal and financial experts to create an estate plan that addresses the distribution of assets and shares among family members, minimizing potential tax liabilities.

Business Continuity Planning: Develop strategies to ensure the continuity of business operations during the transition, including contingency plans for unexpected events.

Communication and Transparency: Foster open and transparent communication among family members, ensuring that everyone is informed and aligned with the succession plan.

Financial and Structuring: Assist in structuring the ownership and management of the business to accommodate multiple generations, including voting rights, profit-sharing, and governance mechanisms. 

True North Solutions specializes in facilitating smooth and successful transitions, whether it involves selling the business or passing it down through generations. They provide a holistic approach that combines financial, legal, strategic, and interpersonal elements to ensure a seamless succession process.

True North Solutions can play a critical role in helping organizations find efficiencies, cut costs, and navigate disruptions by offering tailored consulting services and strategies. Here's how they can assist in these areas:

Efficiency Improvement:

Process Optimization: Evaluate existing workflows and processes to identify bottlenecks, redundancies, and inefficiencies. True North Solutions can then recommend and implement improvements to streamline operations.

Technology Integration: Assess your current technology stack and recommend innovative tools and systems to automate tasks, enhance productivity, and improve data management.

Lean and Six Sigma: Apply Lean and Six Sigma principles to eliminate waste, reduce cycle times, and improve overall process efficiency. This includes conducting process mapping and implementing continuous improvement methodologies.

Resource Allocation: Analyze resource allocation to ensure that staff, time, and budget are allocated effectively to key projects and initiatives.

Cost Reduction: Cost Analysis: Conduct a comprehensive cost analysis to identify areas where cost savings can be realized. This includes examining overhead, supply chain costs, labor costs, and more.

Vendor Negotiation: Negotiate with suppliers, vendors, and service providers to secure better terms, pricing, and contracts, thereby reducing procurement costs.

Supply Chain Optimization: Evaluate the supply chain and logistics to identify cost-saving opportunities, such as optimizing inventory levels, improving supplier relationships, and exploring alternate sourcing options.

Workforce Optimization: Analyze staffing levels and skills to ensure you have the right team in place, avoiding overstaffing or understaffing, and improving labor cost efficiency.

 Disruption Mitigation:

Risk Assessment: Identify potential disruptions, both internal and external (e.g., supply chain disruptions, market changes, technological shifts). Develop risk mitigation strategies to minimize the impact of these disruptions.

Business Continuity Planning: Assist in creating a robust business continuity plan that outlines steps to take during unexpected disruptions, ensuring that critical functions can continue without significant interruptions.

Change Management: Provide guidance on change management strategies to help employees adapt to new processes, technologies, or organizational changes smoothly, reducing disruption-related resistance.

Scenario Planning: Collaborate with your organization to develop scenarios for various disruptive events, allowing for proactive responses and reducing the element of surprise.

Digital Transformation: Support your organization's digital transformation efforts, which can enhance agility and resilience in the face of disruptions by enabling remote work, automation, and data-driven decision-making.

True North Solutions' expertise in efficiency improvement, cost reduction, and disruption mitigation ensures that organizations can navigate challenges effectively while maintaining or even enhancing their competitiveness. They offer a holistic approach that encompasses people, processes, and technology to drive sustainable improvements and maintain operational resilience.

True North Solutions recognizes the importance of supporting women business owners in their unique journeys and challenges. To provide tailored assistance and foster a strong sense of community, they have established a Women Business Owner Exclusive Group with a range of services and resources:

Exclusive Coaching: Personalized coaching sessions with experienced professionals who understand the specific challenges and opportunities women face in the business world.

Coaching covers leadership development, business strategy, and personal growth, helping women achieve their professional and personal goals.

Personal Branding: Guidance on personal branding to help female leaders build a strong and authentic professional identity.

Assistance in crafting compelling narratives that highlight their expertise and unique value in the business landscape.

Addressing Unique Challenges:

Tailored support to address challenges that are particularly relevant to female leaders, such as gender bias, work-life balance, and navigating traditionally male-dominated industries.

Strategies for breaking through glass ceilings and empowering women to reach their full potential.

Private Group Facebook Page:

An exclusive and safe online community where female business owners can connect, share experiences, and seek advice.

Discussion topics on the private Facebook page are open and inclusive, covering a wide range of subjects, including work-related issues, personal growth, and the challenges of balancing motherhood with entrepreneurship.

No Topic Off Limits: True North Solutions' Women Business Owner Exclusive Group fosters an environment where no topic is off-limits. Members can openly discuss challenges, share successes, seek advice, and offer support to one another.

Conversations span various aspects of life and business, from career strategies and leadership to personal development and spiritual growth.

By offering these comprehensive services and resources, True North Solutions empowers women business owners to thrive personally and professionally. This exclusive group not only provides valuable guidance but also creates a supportive community where women can connect, learn from each other's experiences, and grow together as leaders and individuals. It acknowledges the holistic nature of women's lives and addresses their needs in both the business world and personal development.mers a reason to do business with you.

True North Solutions offers a Single-Pay Business Meeting service designed to address various aspects of a client's business and professional challenges, as well as explore opportunities for growth. 

Here's how this service typically works:

Business Challenges Discussion: The meeting begins with a thorough discussion of the client's current business challenges. This could encompass a wide range of issues, such as declining sales, operational inefficiencies, market competition, financial struggles, or strategic roadblocks.

Professional Challenges Assessment: In addition to business-related challenges, True North Solutions will also delve into the client's professional challenges. This could involve leadership and management issues, career development dilemmas, or any personal challenges affecting their professional life.

Business Discovery Conversation: During the meeting, there will be a dedicated session for business discovery. This is an opportunity for True North Solutions to gain a deep understanding of the client's business, its objectives, values, culture, and long-term goals.

Goal Setting: Together with the client, True North Solutions will establish clear goals and objectives for the meeting. This could involve short-term and long-term targets related to business improvement, personal development, or both.

Expert Guidance: True North Solutions will provide expert guidance, advice, and recommendations based on the client's challenges and goals. This advice may cover areas such as strategic planning, operational improvements, leadership skills, and more.

Actionable Insights: The meeting aims to provide actionable insights and solutions that the client can implement immediately to address their challenges and work towards their goals.

Time Allocation: The duration of the meeting may vary depending on the complexity of the challenges and the depth of discussion needed. Typically, it could last for a few hours to a full day, ensuring ample time for in-depth exploration and planning.

Single Payment: True North Solutions offers this meeting as a single-pay service, providing clients with a cost-effective way to access expert guidance and support without committing to long-term consulting contracts.

Follow-Up and Support: After the meeting, True North Solutions may offer follow-up support to track progress, address additional questions, and provide ongoing assistance as needed.

This Single-Pay Business Meeting allows clients to engage with True North Solutions on a focused and results-driven basis. It's a flexible option for individuals and businesses seeking immediate solutions to their challenges, benefiting from expert guidance, and exploring growth opportunities in a cost-efficient manner.

Rates start at $125 per hour or book 4 hours for $400. 4 hour booking can be completed in 2 sessions but payment due in advance. You bring the challenge, we'll bring the coffee.

True North Solutions is a seasoned player in the insurance industry with a wealth of experience in buying and selling numerous insurance agencies. Our expertise in this field is unparalleled, and we are committed to helping you navigate the complex world of agency evaluation and acquisition.

Extensive Experience: True North Solutions boasts a track record of buying and selling numerous insurance agencies, providing invaluable experience in the industry.

Comprehensive Support: We offer a wide range of services to assist you, including agency book evaluations, expert guidance on asking the right questions, and connections to reputable attorneys specializing in insurance agency acquisitions.

Financial Planning: Our team helps you with financial projections, ensuring you have a clear roadmap for a profitable future.

Carrier Partnerships: We delve deep into individual carrier preferences for your market, ensuring you secure the best partnerships and deals.

Holistic Approach: True North Solutions provides insights into staffing, lease negotiations, and all other critical aspects of agency operations for long-term success.

Informed Decision-Making: We empower you to make informed decisions by offering a comprehensive picture of your agency's future.

Collaborative Approach: We work alongside your chosen legal and tax representatives to ensure you have the best guidance throughout the process.

Priority on Your Success: Your agency's success is our top priority, and we're committed to helping you achieve your goals and aspirations in the insurance industry.

Mandy Reed is a highly accomplished business leader renowned for her achievements in Business Development, Sales, Insurance, Finance, and pioneering new market expansions. With a remarkable career spanning over 18 years, she has consistently demonstrated her adeptness in guiding companies to attain unprecedented levels of profitability throughout various market cycles.

In her current role as the President of True North Solutions, Mandy leverages her extensive expertise to orchestrate exponential growth, execute successful acquisitions, and broaden the footprint of businesses nationwide.

As a certified consultant possessing a profound understanding of strategic business growth, Mandy's strategic counsel has played a pivotal role in driving successful acquisitions, expansions, and leadership transitions. She excels at identifying intricate challenges and formulating innovative solutions that enable enterprises to harness new opportunities.

With a proven ability to oversee geographically dispersed teams and spearhead national business expansion initiatives, Mandy draws upon her wealth of experience and unwavering commitment to excellence, making her a trusted partner for companies seeking comprehensive growth and risk management solutions.

Recognized with the prestigious Elite Women of Insurance Award from Insurance Business America in 2021, Mandy specializes in safeguarding high-risk ventures from unforeseen liabilities and risks.

Her illustrious career serves as a testament to her exceptional leadership, transformative prowess, and her capacity to drive business success through a relentless pursuit of excellence, encompassing operational optimization, streamlined processes, and a culture of innovation.