Build a Stronger, More Valuable Business
If your business is stuck, find out what's holding it back, what needs your attention first, and what needs to change to reach your next million.
You've already built a real business.
But maybe sales have plateaued. Marketing isn't producing what you expected. You're working harder without seeing enough growth. Or you've reached a point where you're simply not sure what needs to change next.
That's what I help business owners figure out.
Find Out What's Keeping Your Business StuckIs Your Business Ready for Its Next Million? →
If your business is generating $500,000 or more but growth has slowed, the answer isn't always more sales, more marketing, or more hours. Something inside the business may be keeping you from reaching the next level.
With more than 30 years of experience building, scaling, and advising businesses, I help established business owners identify what's holding them back, uncover hidden risks and missed opportunities, and determine what needs their attention first.
Fewer than 10% of U.S. businesses reach seven figures in annual revenue. I've done it four times. I've also built to eight figures.
As Seen In . . .
Does Any Of This Sound Familiar?
✅ Sales have plateaued but no one can clearly explain why
✅ Marketing spending keeps increasing but results are unpredictable
✅ Growth is creating operational stress instead of momentum
✅ Key decisions keep flowing back to the CEO
✅ The business looks successful from the outside but internally feels fragile
Most companies assume these are effort problems.
They’re usually structural.
Schedule a Call Now
7-Figure Readiness Assessment
Not sure what's keeping your business from reaching the next level?
The 7-Figure Readiness Assessment helps established business owners identify what's limiting growth before spending more time, money, or effort on the wrong solution.
I look across your strategy, sales, marketing, operations, financial performance, leadership, competitive position, and growth capacity to uncover the issues that may be keeping your business stuck.
What You'll Walk Away With
- A clearer understanding of what's holding your business back
- The priorities that need your attention first
- Opportunities you may be overlooking
- A practical roadmap for what to do next
Stop guessing. Find out what's really keeping your business from moving forward.
Take the Complimentary Assessment →
Why More Marketing Often Fails
When growth slows, many business owners assume they need more marketing, more advertising, or more visibility. But what if marketing isn't the problem?
If your positioning is unclear, your operations can't support growth, your customers aren't the right fit, or your business strategy is weak, spending more on marketing may simply make the underlying problems more expensive.
Before you spend more to grow, make sure you're fixing the right problem.
“Marketing cannot consistently outperform a weak business strategy.”
— Darlene M. Ziebell
Built From Experience. Not Theory
Darlene M. Ziebell is a management consultant, entrepreneur, author, and strategic advisor with more than 30 years of experience building businesses and advising business leaders.
She has built four companies, reached seven figures four times, built to eight figures, advised Fortune 1000 organizations, and successfully completed multiple business exits. Along the way, she has navigated rapid growth, operational challenges, financial pressures, lawsuits, business crises, turnarounds, and the difficult decisions that come with building a larger company.
Darlene doesn't advise business owners from theory. She's been in their shoes.
Today, she uses that experience to help established business owners identify what others may have missed, determine what's keeping their companies stuck, and decide what needs to change to reach the next level.
Start With A Phone Call
Is This You?
I work with established business owners who have already built something successful but know their business should be performing better.
You may be a good fit if:
- Your business has been stuck at roughly the same revenue for too long
- You're working harder, but the business isn't growing accordingly
- Sales are inconsistent and you're not sure why
- You're spending more on marketing without seeing enough return
- You've added employees, but too many decisions still come back to you
- Growth has made the business more complicated, not more profitable
- You know something needs to change, but you're not sure what to fix first
- You're ready for your next million but aren't sure how to get there
You don't need another quick fix. You need to understand what's really keeping your business from moving forward.
Start With A Phone CallWhat Clients Are Saying . . .
Mark Seven
CEO, Get Away With Murder, Inc.
Darlene has a remarkable instinct for business strategy of not only knowing WHAT improvements to make, but WHEN and HOW to implement them. In the 20+ years I’ve known her, she has always provided us with useful management advice including accounting methodology, personnel and legal issues, contemporary marketing foresight, even spot-on location suggestions. Darlene is a true professional, honest and straight forward, whose insights have guided us through nearly 25 years of success as a growing national entertainment company.
Kathy Ameche
VP, Executive Partner, Gartner
CEO, Micci Micci
Why didn't I meet you earlier? Darlene has helped me focus on my value proposition, identifying customers and most importantly how to make money. Regardless of the level of business ownership you are at, her no nonsense approach is of great value. She has a global connection with owners through her site Center for Women Business Owners.
Hayward Harris, Jr.
CEO & Founder, The Rib Doctor
I hired Darlene to help me develop and implement marketing strategies. She has worked tirelessly to help separate me from my competitors in a competitive marketplace and encouraged me to cover every detail. The greatest compliment I can give anyone is trust, Darlene has indeed earned my trust!
Katheryn Weidman, Ph.D.
CEO, CenterPoint Institute
Darlene has MUCH to offer small business owners, regardless of whether they are just starting out or have been around for years. She has owned several types of businesses herself and has both broad experience and a unique approach to offer. Moreover, her style is refreshing. She doesn’t waste your time! She zeroes-in on the issues and talks-turkey to help the business owner confront the barriers to greater success. Darlene was a board member for two nonprofit organizations that I served as a consultant. I’ve seen her work in numerous settings and absolutely trust her judgment.
John Frank
Former Vice President, UnitedHealth Group
Darlene Ziebell is an experienced and thoughtful consulting professional, as well as a business owner and advisor who knows "the right thing to do" for both clients and employees. She also injects fun into work by always having a positive outlook and using humor to create a relaxed and productive work environment. I will always consider Darlene my colleague and friend.
Jonathan Mraunac
General Counsel, GCM Partners
"Our start-up company retained Darlene to provide consulting services related to fund raising, marketing, business-modeling, and web development. She went out of her way to meet at a location most convenient for us and provided several key pieces of useful, professional advice which clearly demonstrated her experience and expertise. I would recommend Darlene to any company in a similar situation."
Newell Anderson
CEO, Newell Anderson Enterprises
Darlene is an exceptional businesswoman who has tremendous foresight, credentials and experience. Her work, commitment to excellence, and character make her one of my most valued professionals to work with and I always look for ways to get my network in front of her. She is a good friend and colleague and I strongly recommend Darlene to anyone who demands the top level professionals.
Rosanna Marquez
Board Chair, AARP Foundation
Board President, Impact for Equity
Ms. Ziebell was the incoming Chair of the Board of the Eleanor Foundation when I joined it as President/CEO in September 2002. The organization was in the midst of a fairly radical restructuring that included a wholesale change in strategic direction and the turnover of the Board of Directors needed to effect the change. Ms. Ziebell's directness, leadership, strategic focus, and practical smarts were instrumental to the success of this transformation, which was realized far more quickly than I'd have though possible. Further, Ms. Ziebell also is one of the most entrepreneurial people I have ever met.
Insights From The Front Lines of Business
Explore articles, business insights, strategic growth discussions, and real-world lessons drawn from decades of experience building companies, advising leadership teams, and helping businesses navigate growth challenges, operational risks, and changing market conditions.
Identify What's Really Limiting Growth
Not sure what's keeping your business stuck or what you should focus on next?
Schedule a complimentary conversation with me. We'll talk about where your business is today, where you want it to go, and what may be standing in the way.
No pitch. No obligation. Just a conversation about your business and whether I may be able to help.
Schedule a Complimentary Call →
