Real Results Require Clear Leadership
When a business starts to stall or spiral, guessing doesn’t work. Neither does another tactic, tool, or marketing idea. What works is clarity, focus, and leadership grounded in real experience.
I help business owners identify what’s actually broken, prioritize what must be fixed first, and avoid wasting time and money on the wrong moves.
With more than 30 years of experience, I’ve built four successful companies—three from the ground up—and advised Fortune 1000 organizations through growth challenges and crisis situations. I bring the same level of strategic discipline to privately held businesses that need answers, not noise.
If your business feels harder than it should, the first step is understanding why.
You’ll wish you met me sooner.
👉 Start with a Business Snapshot Call
Schedule your complimentary Business Snapshot Call
This short conversation is designed to determine whether there is a real business issue that needs attention, whether you're the decision-maker with the authority to act and where there is a strategic gap worth addressing before time or money is wasted.
We’ll focus on:
☑️ Confirming the core business challenge
Making sure there’s a real issue, not just surface symptoms
☑️ Understanding revenue level and decision-making authority
So we know who’s in the room and whether action is possible
☑️ Identifying whether a meaningful strategic gap exists
And whether it’s worth solving now
Ready to get clarity?
Start with a Business Snapshot Call and determine the right next step.
👉 Schedule Your Business Snapshot Call
Next we will plan your Executive Strategy Review
This is a focused, in-depth working session designed to diagnose what’s truly blocking growth and determine the smartest path forward. This is not a general strategy call. It’s a structured review that brings clarity, prioritization, and direction.
The Executive Strategy Review is ideal for business owners who want answers before investing more time or money in the wrong direction.
What we’ll cover:
☑️ A clear diagnosis of what’s actually broken
Separating root causes from surface-level symptoms
☑️ A priority order for what must be fixed first
So effort and resources are focused where they matter most
☑️ What not to spend money on next
Avoiding costly distractions and ineffective tactics
☑️ An honest assessment of growth potential
Based on your current business model and structure
Following the session, you’ll receive a written strategic summary outlining key findings, priorities, and recommended next steps. This document is designed to give you clarity, not fluff, and can be used whether or not we continue working together.
Investment: $750
If we move forward together within 30 days, this investment may be applied toward ongoing consulting.
Ready for real clarity?
This is the step where decisions get easier.
👉 Schedule Your Executive Strategy Review
Then we can work on your Plan of Action
After the Executive Strategy Review, the next step is a clear, structured Plan of Action. This is where insight turns into direction.
The Plan of Action translates what we uncovered during the review into a practical roadmap, so you know exactly what to address, in what order, and why. No guesswork. No overwhelm.
What the Plan of Action includes:
☑️ Clear strategic priorities
What needs attention now versus what can wait
☑️ A focused sequence of next steps
So progress is intentional, not reactive
☑️ Risk and opportunity indicators
What could derail momentum and where growth is realistic
☑️ Recommended paths forward
Options for implementation, support, or continued advisory work
This plan is designed to stand on its own. Whether you implement it internally or choose to continue working together, you leave with clarity and a defensible strategy.
Ready to get started?
The first step is a Business Snapshot Call to determine whether this process is the right fit.
👉 Schedule Your Business Snapshot Call
As Seen In . . .
Real Experience. Real Results. Here’s Why Business Owners Choose Me.
✅ Unmatched Experience: Over 30 years of hands-on business expertise.
✅ Proven Success: Built four successful businesses—three from the ground up—scaling them to 8-figure revenues.
✅ Trusted by Industry Leaders: Advisor to 20% of Fortune 1000 companies.
✅ Business Turnaround Specialist: Expert in crisis management, strategic planning, and rapid recovery.
✅ Real Solutions, Not Theories: Practical, actionable strategies that deliver measurable results.
✅ Accomplishments: See how I saved businesses from failure such as: by growing sales by 280% during covid when competition was failing, saving businesses from bankruptcy by turning it around into a sale and plan architect a plan for the future, and many more.
Book your Business Snapshot Call hereStop Guessing. Start Solving. Book Your Complimentary Business Snapshot Call Now!
What Clients Are Saying . . .
Meet Tammy Renee, Founder of Level 10 Sales Mastery
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.
Ready to Skip the Warm-up?
If you already know your business needs strategic clarity and you’re prepared to take action, you can proceed directly to an Executive Strategy Review.
This in-depth session is designed for established business owners who want a clear diagnosis, focused priorities, and a smart path forward—without wasting time on surface-level fixes.
👉 Schedule an Executive Strategy Review
Schedule an Executive Strategy Review
Business Strategy Insights from Darlene Ziebell
Discover real-world strategies from Darlene M. Ziebell, executive coach and business growth strategist, to help you scale beyond 7 figures, fix broken marketing, and build systems that work. Each week, I share no-fluff advice for entrepreneurs, CEOs, and founders who want lasting success. Read my latest business strategy articles below.isque.
