Frequently Asked Questions

Comprehensive answers about our consulting methodology, pricing, services, and engagement across financial clarity, operational intelligence, growth marketing, and leadership development.

General Questions

How is StrataVera pricing structured?
Our pricing is architectural, not transactional. We design custom engagement scopes based on your specific challenges, goals, and business stage. No cookie-cutter packages.
What does a first engagement look like?
Every engagement starts with a 30-minute complimentary consultation. We listen, ask diagnostic questions, and determine whether we're the right fit. No obligation, no pressure — just honest strategic guidance.
Who is the ideal StrataVera client?
Growth-stage service businesses at $750K-$10M revenue who are moving from founder-led chaos to system-led growth. You're good at what you do but the business has outgrown your ability to manage everything alone.
How quickly can I expect results?
Clarity is immediate. Operational improvements within 30 days. Revenue impact typically 3-6 months. Sustainable transformation 6-12 months.

Financial Clarity

What's the difference between bookkeeping and financial clarity?
Bookkeeping records what happened. Financial clarity tells you what to do next. We transform raw financial data into strategic intelligence for pricing, hiring, and growth decisions.
Do you replace my CPA or accountant?
No. We work alongside your CPA. We focus on management accounting and strategic financial intelligence — the operational side that helps you make better decisions day to day.
What if my books are a mess?
We find root causes, build preventive systems. Messy books are a symptom, not the disease. We clean them up and install the infrastructure to keep them clean.

Operational Intelligence

What's the difference between SOPs and operational intelligence?
SOPs are documents. Operational intelligence is a system. We don't just write procedures — we design the infrastructure that ensures consistent execution and continuous improvement.
How does operational intelligence impact profitability?
Businesses typically recover 15-30% of lost margin through operational intelligence improvements — eliminating waste, automating repetitive tasks, and optimizing resource allocation.
How long does implementation take?
60-90 days for typical operational intelligence engagements. Quick wins identified in the first 2 weeks, with full system deployment in 60-90 days.

Growth & Marketing

What is growth marketing and how is it different from traditional marketing?
Growth marketing is full-funnel, revenue-tied, and system-driven. Traditional marketing runs campaigns. Growth marketing builds compounding acquisition infrastructure.
What is AEO and why does it matter?
Answer Engine Optimization positions your business to be cited by AI systems like ChatGPT and Perplexity. When someone asks an AI for recommendations in your industry, AEO ensures you're the answer.
How long does it take to see results?
2-4 weeks for quick wins (automations, funnel fixes). 3-6 months for foundational SEO and content authority. Growth marketing is designed to compound — results accelerate over time.

Leadership & Culture

How is leadership coaching different from executive coaching?
Our coaching is contextual, not abstract. We coach within the context of your actual business systems, team dynamics, and growth challenges — not generic leadership theory.
What does a culture diagnostic actually reveal?
It surfaces the behavioral patterns, communication breakdowns, and alignment gaps that are invisible in day-to-day operations but directly impact performance and retention.
What if I'm the bottleneck in my own business?
That's a predictable stage of growth, not a personal failing. We help you build the systems and develop the leaders that let you step out of daily operations without things falling apart.
How long does culture change take?
30-60 days for behavioral shifts. 6-12 months for deep cultural transformation. The key is building rhythm and accountability — not trying to change everything at once.

Medical Aesthetics

How can AI systems help my med spa grow?
AI systems automate patient follow-ups (retention), optimize provider scheduling (utilization), and analyze revenue data to identify profitable service mixes — removing manual admin bottlenecks.
What is Clinical Lifecycle Architecture?
It's our approach to moving from transactional treatments to outcome-based patient journeys that guarantee 4+ visits per year and predictable lifetime value.
How do I increase my med spa's valuation?
Implement operational systems that demonstrate predictable, system-driven revenue rather than owner-dependent revenue. This increases EBITDA multiples and reduces buyer risk.