For over 20 years, Excellerate Associates has helped thousands of businesses scale using a systems-based approach—one that takes a holistic view of building a profitable, sustainable company. It’s this proven methodology that has led our alumni to achieve remarkable results—some seeing an 800% return on their investment in our Startup Lab, while others, like a participant in our Profitability Lab for second-stage businesses, successfully positioned their company for acquisition by a multi-billion-dollar public firm.

While many entrepreneurial education and support programs focus on fostering innovation, growth, and problem-solving, they often fall short in one critical area—implementation. Entrepreneurs are left to figure out how to apply what they’ve learned on their own. That’s where our Profitability Lab for Second-Stage Businesses changes the game.

Our approach isn’t just about strategy—it’s about execution and implementation. Below are some common frustrations our clients have faced when trying to achieve their growth goals—and how the Excellerate Associates Profitability Lab helped them break through. You might find some of these resonate with your own journey; and, if you are inspired, we invite you to submit an application to join the next cohort on the link below:

Other Programs: Focus on Incremental OR Disruptive Innovation – Programs often encourage safe, incremental growth or disruptive innovation. Impact: This leads to a lack of groundbreaking solutions that could redefine industries.

Solution: With the Profitability Lab, we believe in the “and” solution. A solution may involve both incremental and disruptive ideas that, when married, develop a workable innovative growth solution. You receive a customized experience and roadmap tailored to each entrepreneur’s specific business stage, industry, and goals. You’re not left guessing how to implement. You’ll see results because you have the ongoing support to have it happen.

Other Programs: Generic Curriculum – a one-size-fits-all approach, focusing on broad, traditional business principles that may not align with the unique challenges of individual entrepreneurs or industries. Entrepreneurs often leave without actionable insights tailored to their specific needs or business models.

Solution: The Profitability Lab developed by Excellerate Associates has practical, implementable tools targeted for each of our cohort members with actionable insights. Cohort Members see results because they are acting on it monthly and return to their group to celebrate outcomes and overcome barriers to implementation resulting in scaling further faster.

Other Programs: Lack of Real-World Relevance – Curricula often prioritize theory over practice, leaving participants unprepared for the nuanced, dynamic realities of running a business.

Solution: This Profitability Lab builds a roadmap with each business owner to translate what they learn into real-world execution, even under unpredictable circumstances.

Other Programs: Overemphasis on Venture Capital – Programs often glorify venture capital funding as the ultimate path to success while neglecting alternative financing options.

Solution: In the Profitability Lab, cohort members explore strategies for sustainable growth.

Other Programs; Insufficient Focus on Human Wiring and Leadership – Programs gloss over or often neglect specific ways to align business roles with individual strengths and human wiring.

Solution: In the Profitability Lab, cohort members identify strategies and efficiencies, become a Hiring Hero, and create cultural processes that increase employee engagement.

Other Programs: Failure to Teach Resilience and Adaptability – Many programs focus on fixed programming (e.g., business plans) rather than teaching entrepreneurs how to iterate and pivot in response to market changes.

Solution: In the Profitability Lab, entrepreneurs grow their personal development and awareness to spot when they become overly rigid and learn new tools to overcome evolving challenges with greater freedom and ease.

Other Programs: Overemphasis on Startup Phase – Programs often center on launching a business rather than scaling, systematizing, or sustaining it over time.

Solution: In the Profitability Lab, cohort members experience practical leadership tools to develop systems or processes that manage growth, understand their numbers, develop decision-making frameworks, and address operations shifting from Business Owners to CEO.

Other Programs: Insufficient Mentorship and Networking Opportunities – Programs frequently lack high-quality mentorship and robust, action-oriented networking opportunities with experienced entrepreneurs and industry leaders.

Solution: The Profitability Lab Cohort Members support each other and learn from entrepreneurs with practical, battle-tested real-world experience.

Other Programs: Neglect of Emotional Support – Programs rarely address the stress, isolation, and emotional weight of entrepreneurship.

Solution: In the Profitability, we take a holistic systems approach so all areas of life work. Members intentionally create a Blueprint that focuses not only on the business but on other Domains of Life, like their well being, decision making tools aligned with their Contribution in the World, and their long-term success metrics.

Other Programs: Limited Integration of Technology and Trends – Many programs lag behind in incorporating emerging technologies, global market trends, and contrarian business models.

Solution: The Profitability Lab intentionally sets protocols to strategize and consider innovative next-level strategies.

In the Profitability Lab, you will experience:

• Practical and Results-Oriented Learning: A practical, scenario-based training and mentorship from seasoned entrepreneurs for ongoing implementation of your strategies.

• Team Focus: You can’t build your business alone. We include leadership, human wiring, and team alignment to build resilient, scalable businesses.

• Adaptability Training: Incorporate modules on resilience, pivoting, and navigating uncertainty.

• Global and Technological Awareness: Develop systems to reflect on the latest trends, technologies, and market opportunities.

• Continuous Feedback Loops: You benefit from an invested cohort over a 24 month period. Imagine what you could accomplish with ongoing support!

Excellerate Associates also actively seeks input from its clients and Strategic Alliances. This feedback informs program updates and ensures the program remains relevant and responsive to changing needs of entrepreneurship, the market, and the global changes.

Our next cohort Lab begins in May, 2025. If you are committed to expanding your brand, leadership, and personal development, I invite you to apply to be in our next cohort at https://www.excellerateassociates.com/profitability-lab/