Diverse small business strategies, representing Fortune 500 strategies in action for local businesses.

Fortune 500 Strategies—Made Local (And Practical)

September 25, 20253 min read

Have you ever noticed how big companies seem to have it all figured out?

You hear “Fortune 500” and you probably think: huge teams, endless budgets, maybe a fancy executive retreat in the mountains. Truth is, most successful business strategies work best when someone rolls up their sleeves and tackles them one step at a time. I’ve spent a couple of decades helping businesses do just that—right here in Cincinnati and Dayton, over in Louisville and Lexington, down in Indianapolis, Columbus, and Cleveland, and, hey, we’ve even recently opened our offerings to businesses in Fort Wayne, IN and Denver, CO.

What we do at Mastering Profitability isn’t magic, and, frankly, it’s not rocket science either. We take those tried-and-true Fortune 500 frameworks and make them accessible, affordable, and, most importantly, tailor them for small and midsize business folks who actually want to see progress. Sometimes it’s a short-term engagement, just to fix up a leaky spot. Other times, it’s a long-haul partnership—finding the cracks, plugging them, and helping you build something that’s going to last well beyond this year’s trends. Additionally, we aren't shy about making sure you stick to your core values so that you always feel good about aligning to your north star. For us, that North Star is tied to our strong Christian faith and beliefs. The Bible provides a lot of guidance for building a business, and we are deliberate about using biblical principles in the work we do with our clients.

Here’s how we break it down. Five categories. Honestly, you'll probably recognize a few spots where you could use a hand.

1. The Foundation: Operations Excellence

It’s tough to grow if you’re tripping over basic stuff. It's not sexy, but it's incredibly important. That’s why, before anything else, we help you look at how you do things—processes, procedures, all the nitty-gritty. Sometimes it’s messy. Most days, it’s just putting some order to the chaos. Your “secret sauce” for serving clients needs to be repeatable and robust, so you get happy customers…again and again.

2. Building a Funnel That Works

You’re not just looking for any old lead. The right prospects—those are gold. We help you figure out your ideal target (not just the ones who say “maybe next month”), then create a marketing funnel that’s built for your strengths. Get that pipeline flowing, whether you’re growing in Cincinnati, stretching to Denver, or bringing new faces through the doors in Columbus.

3. Converting Real Customers

Having a list of names isn’t enough—those leads need to turn into paying clients. This is where we roll up our sleeves, digging into your sales process and looking for those spots where good prospects slip away. The action here isn’t about squeezing people—it’s about helping them see real value, so they’re happy to move forward.  People love to buy, but they hate being sold to.

4. Creating Repeat Raving Fans

If you’re tired of chasing new business every month, let’s fix that! Loyal, returning customers are the lifeblood of every strong business, no matter the size. We work with strategies to get folks coming back, spending more, and—this is big—bringing their buddies with them next time. That’s what keeps Denver businesses, Lexington coffee shops, and Cleveland consultancies in the game.

5. Profit that Actually Goes in Your Pocket

It’s easy to get stuck thinking more revenue equals success. But if your expenses are eating up every last dollar, what’s the point? We dig into your spending, making sure every dollar leads somewhere useful—growing your customer base or nurturing loyalty. That way, you see profit, not just busy work.

Bottom line: Whether you need a quick fix, a roadmap for tackling multiple issues, or want to tap into decades of experience with a Fractional Chief Strategy Officer or Chief Growth Officer—it’s all about building your business the right way for the long haul.

If you’re a small or medium-sized business in Cincinnati, Dayton, Louisville, Lexington, Indianapolis, Columbus, Cleveland, Fort Wayne, or Denver, We’d love to help. Your story matters—and it deserves Fortune 500-level results, one smart step at a time. We look forward to hearing from you and together we'll uncover a plan for your unique business.

With 20+ years of Fortune 5 experience, Terry Stein helps established businesses achieve sustainable growth and profitability. He combines actionable strategies with a servant leadership approach.

Terry Stein

With 20+ years of Fortune 5 experience, Terry Stein helps established businesses achieve sustainable growth and profitability. He combines actionable strategies with a servant leadership approach.

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