I started Awecelot by accident…

Background

In 2014, I was exploring new opportunities and searching for my next role. I noticed a trend while talking to startup founders as well as product leaders in large established enterprises: they often needed specialized help with product development at critical times: a pivot, a funding round, a team change, a new product launch, and more. Although these startups were hiring consultants and agencies for temporary support, there was a gap between the type of work being delivered and what was truly needed.

Traditional agencies wanted to operate as separate entities, creating value in isolation. Consultants, billing by the hour or project, didn't always optimize for efficiency, as their pace and scope depended on their contracts. This resulted in a misalignment between the service provider's and the startup's goals.

To solve this issue, I started Awecelot so I could become an intentionally temporary team member, offering targeted help in specific places at the right moment to provide directionality and momentum. This way, my goals align with the clients: to focus on creating value from within that will be self-sustaining.

Services

Specifically, I focus on providing the following services:

  • Acting as an interim or fractional product lead (and sometimes a hybrid CTO) for very early to mid-stage startups. This works because the companies have immediate product needs but understand hiring the right person takes time. Given that, I can come in, get to work, and help set product practices and direction. Then, I can concurrently assist with finding, vetting, and training my replacement. This helps the startup spend their money smartly and often hire a product person at a more reasonable rate who can focus on execution.

  • Engaging with companies of any size or stage who are at an inflection point with their product. This can take the form of:

    • Building a functional prototype to ensure product/market fit

    • Defining and executing a go-to-market plan

    • Setting up a project management methodology

    • Determining and implementing the right metrics to track

    • Conducting quantitative and qualitative user research

    • Writing user stories, wire-framing, and more

  • Working as a retained Entrepreneur-in-Residence with "Office Hours" where I can help portfolio companies within incubators, accelerators, and venture firms on an on-demand basis.

My own experience coupled with a trusted network of entrepreneurs, advisors, subject-matter experts, VC's, and additional specialists ensures I can offer a unique class of help.

Logistics

Typically, an engagement begins with determining the degree of involvement necessitated and the level of effort required. This informs a bi-weekly rate for the services I provide. After the completion of a one month long calibration period, I ensure that we're all on the same page with regards to next steps, and then it moves to an open-ended auto-renewing contact. This helps build trust since we are not constantly negotiating SOW’s nor creating tension by counting minutes, but instead focusing on collaborating.

Over time, the goal is for me to make myself obsolete by building institutional knowledge and helping create the right product armatures to ensure future success. This can mean training someone to take on a new role, assisting with hiring and transitioning a new employee to be the perfect permanent product person, or making sure the house is on a strong new foundation for the positive progress to continue. Regardless of what may mark the end of our work together, I ensure that everything is in a good place before I go.