ELIV8 Business Strategies Review: A Consultant That Actually Gets It

Ever felt like your business strategy meetings go in circles? You’re not alone. I’ve sat through enough vague, jargon-filled consulting sessions to know that most firms talk a big game but deliver lukewarm results. That’s why working with ELIV8 Business Strategies felt like a breath of fresh air—a consulting partner that cuts through the noise with actionable insights.

Founded in 2014 by Brian Downard (15+ years in executive leadership) and Geoff Brandt (23+ years in tech and ops for Fortune 1000 companies and startups), ELIV8 specializes in business development, strategy, marketing, operations, and IT. They’re not just advisors; they’re seasoned practitioners who’ve been in the trenches. Here’s why their approach stands out.

1. Depth of Expertise: No Fluff, Just Real-World Know-How

ELIV8’s founders bring a rare combo of big-company discipline and startup agility. Geoff’s tech/ops background means IT recommendations aren’t just theoretical—they’re grounded in scalability and cost-efficiency. Meanwhile, Brian’s executive experience ensures strategies align with leadership realities, not just textbook ideals.

For example, when they reviewed our marketing funnel, they didn’t just suggest "more content" (ugh). They mapped our customer journey against operational bottlenecks, tying lead-gen improvements directly to sales-team capacity. Finally, a consultant who connects dots instead of creating more slides.

2. Custom Solutions, Not Cookie-Cutter Playbooks

Many consultancies repackage the same frameworks for every client. ELIV8 avoids this by diving deep into a company’s unique challenges. In our case, they tailored their approach around our hybrid (B2B/B2C) model, blending enterprise-level process tweaks with scrappy growth tactics.

Their strategy workshops were particularly sharp—facilitated like collaborative problem-solving sessions, not lectures. No "death by PowerPoint" here.

3. Tech-Savvy Without the Overengineering

Geoff’s tech expertise shines in their IT recommendations. They helped us streamline our CRM setup without pushing unnecessary (and expensive) enterprise software. Instead, they focused on integration fixes and automation tweaks that saved hours per week.

That said, if you’re a tiny startup, some of their Fortune 1000-honed processes might feel heavy. They’re great at scaling up, but solopreneurs might prefer a lighter-touch advisor.

4. ROI-Focused (They Care About Your Bottom Line)

ELIV8 doesn’t just hand off reports and vanish. They prioritize executable steps with clear KPIs. After their ops audit, we implemented their inventory-management tweaks and saw a 15% reduction in carrying costs within months.

The Good & The (Minor) Quirks

Strengths:
✔ Founders with complementary skills—strategy meets execution.
✔ Pragmatic tech advice—no "rip-and-replace" pressure.
✔ Workshops that actually engage teams (not just the C-suite).

Considerations:
▸ More suited to SMBs/mid-market than early-stage startups.
▸ Less emphasis on branding/design—focus is ops, tech, and strategy.

Final Take: A Consulting Firm That Listens First

ELIV8 stands out because they adapt to your business, not the other way around. Their blend of big-company rigor and tactical flexibility makes them ideal for leaders who want strategies that stick—not just decks that dazzle. If you need a consultant who’ll roll up their sleeves (not just bill hours), they’re worth a conversation.