Called in when product
businesses hit
structural problems.
I work with a small number of founders, organisations, and investors each year on the operational decisions that determine whether a product business survives, scales, or stalls.
If you're dealing with production, supply chain, margin, or capital decisions that carry real consequences — this is the work I do.
The situations I'm usually brought in for.
Product businesses rarely need generic advice. They need clarity when something structural isn't working.
A supplier relationship has broken down and quality or lead times are now a risk
Revenue is growing but margins are shrinking and nobody can explain why
The business works at low volume but operational cracks appear as it scales
Inventory decisions are becoming expensive and capital is tied up in the wrong places
Founders are deciding whether to invest in manufacturing, tooling, or ownership
Supply chains are over-dependent on a single source with no leverage or fallback
A product expansion is being considered without operational capacity to support it
This is the point where experience matters more than theory.
If the issue is structural, I'm usually a fit.
Founders
Product businesses generating £500K+ revenue facing operational friction
Service founders
With capital wanting to move into physical products without expensive mistakes
Investors & boards
Family offices or boards needing an operator's view on a portfolio company problem
Organisations
Running product lines where manufacturing, margin, or supply decisions are under strain
Four ways to work together.
Consulting
From £5,000
Project-based
For businesses with a defined problem that needs diagnosing and resolving.
Typically used when
- Supplier failures affecting product consistency or delivery
- Margins eroding with no obvious cause
- Scaling exposing operational weaknesses
- Capital decisions carrying real downside risk
- Manufacturing or sourcing strategies needing a rethink
I work with you to identify the structural issue, clarify the decision, and build a practical path forward.
Strategic Advisory
Retainer or equity
Case by case
For companies where operational complexity is ongoing rather than one-off.
Typically used when
- Supply chain design and resilience
- Capital allocation and investment decisions
- Manufacturing strategy and production control
- Margin protection and structural leverage
This is a long-term thinking partnership, not a quick fix.
Investor / Board Advisory
Fee on request
Per engagement
For investors or leadership teams needing an independent operator's perspective on a product business.
Typically used when
- Diagnosing why margins or inventory behaviour are inconsistent
- Assessing manufacturing risk or supplier dependency
- Evaluating investment in production control
- Identifying structural weaknesses affecting scalability
This work is focused on clarity, not commentary.
Speaking
Fee on request
Per engagement
I speak on the mechanics of building product businesses — not motivation, but the decisions that determine whether companies actually work.
Typically used when
- Why product businesses outperform service models for long-term leverage
- Validation before capital — avoiding expensive early mistakes
- Supply chain realities founders only discover the hard way
- Manufacturing-led thinking and its impact on margin and control
- Founder philosophy and operational discipline
Available for conferences, private events, leadership sessions, and industry panels.
What I don't do.
Clear upfront saves everyone time.
I work where decisions carry weight.
I don't coach beginners
I don't work with purely service businesses
I don't run group programmes
I don't offer speculative calls or unpaid diagnostics
One email.
No form.
I respond to serious enquiries within 48 hours. No automated acknowledgements.
hello@adelagold.com
Please include in your email
Your name
First name is fine
What your business does
And how long you've been operating
Approximate revenue range
Rough figure is fine
The problem you're trying to solve
Be specific — what's the structural issue?
Why you think I'm the right person
One paragraph is enough
48-hour response · No automated replies