Steve Mortensen is the founder and President of Strategic Business Solutions. He is a sales and marketing veteran, executive, and serial entrepreneur with more than 25 years of practical experience in many industries. His expertise includes business startups, management, publicity, strategic planning, product development, consulting, strategic partnering, business development, training, and international business. Steve has 6 years experience in positioning and preparing businesses for success, raising capital, and helping entrepreneurs do the same.
Here’s what others say about Steve and his work.
“I have found Steve to be an intelligent, ethical, highly motivated individual. Steve is also possessed of good judgment and great personal warmth. I have been particularly impressed with his strategic thinking and hard work in developing business concepts and plans.”
Gary Baughman, former CEO
Fisher-Price
“I’m pleased to provide this reference for Steve Mortensen of Strategic Business Solutions based on the work he completed for Capital Window over the last four years. We’ve worked together on more than 80 capital raising projects. Steve was and continues to be our lead consultant, overseeing the development of all our capital raising documentation packages. His work has been a major factor that enabled Capital Window clients to have many positive outcomes, including raising tens of millions of dollars for their businesses. Here is what I have experienced in working with him:
- Extraordinary level of customer satisfaction – consistently exceeds client expectations
- Laser focus on key success drivers – knows how to find the hot buttons in any business
- Deep understanding of many business models – adds valuable insights that help shape businesses for success
- Candid approach to addressing business weaknesses – excels in helping clients find viable solutions and approaches
- Clients often tell me he is very likable, easy to work with, thorough, and reliable
- Entrepreneurs become highly and realistically prepared to meet with investors
- Investors respond well to the materials and preparations
In all my years in corporate finance, I have met many people who claimed they could help entrepreneurs raise money. Most were ineffective, but Steve is the real deal. He gives clients their best possible chance at success, and does not promise more than he can deliver. His results speak for themselves.”
Thomas Carter, CEO
Capital Window
“Working with Steve has been a massive support to my various consultative and executive positions over the last few years. The investment packaging, business plans, valuation and technical/financial aspects of his work are the benchmark for presentation to investors and interested parties. Specifically, I have worked with Steve on:
- AquaPhotonics – Substantiated a corporate valuation of $82 million for a patented water technology company
- Frutaiga – Developed a business plan and valuation that led to a confidential but lucrative sale of the business
- Granite Pointe – Created a unique business plan and application that led to a 100% investor buyback of the company at a 5x multiple of original negotiations
- International Zip Line – Developed a 9-component business strategy and financial plan that led to a multi-million dollar equity financing”
William Sickert
Executive Consultant
“We had the pleasure of working with Steve Mortensen while putting together a formal business plan and revenue model for 2 new startup companies. Steve made the initially overwhelming process easy to understand and quite educational. His professional yet friendly demeanor made him a pleasure to deal with, and his vast knowledge and suggestions provided valuable advice for us moving forward. I can without a doubt give Steve a high recommendation to anyone looking for this type of service for their business.”
Scott Humphrey, CEO
The Public Record
Jammit
“Steve, I just wanted to let you know that the Investment Package you helped create for us has been a stunning success. It has enabled us to make giant strides toward achieving our goal of raising an initial $1 million. The Business Plan has received praise not only from individual investors but also from venture capitalists and investment bankers. It is a package that I would be happy to show the most sophisticated of investors. Even Warren Buffett! Thanks again for all of your help.”
Malcolm Nicholl, CEO
ResVez
“It was a terrific experience working through the financials and business plan with you. You made a usually dreary project enjoyable and interesting. I had one investment group tell me that the investment brief was one of the best he’d ever read.”
Jeff Freeman, CEO
SoundTag
“Thank you for your great assistance in preparing the Pyramid Technologies business plan. I particularly wanted to comment on the preparation of the financial proformas, including income statements, balance sheets, cash flows, and all the other needed information (capital requirements, use of proceeds, analysis ratios, etc.) for presentation to potential investors. The computer tools that you have developed, accompanied by your personal professional knowledge of the financial operations of companies created an extremely efficient and thorough effort in the preparation of the required financial documents. As the previous owner of technology companies that have successfully completed private placements in the past, I can testify to the usual struggles and costs in preparing these type of required documents. Your assistance in this project was indispensable, and the resulting finalization of this plan was accomplished at a cost significantly less than expected, and much less than we have previously experienced. One example of this efficiency was the ability to change one numerical parameter in the program (such as a increase in revenues) and get an instantaneous report of the impact of this change on all other pertinent items (such as EBITDA, net profit, change in company value, etc.). This ability allowed us to optimize the plan as related to our marketplace. Again our sincere thanks for a great effort, and I would be delighted to recommend your professional services to other potential clients.”
Robert M. Leahy, Sr., CFO
Pyramid Technologies
“Just a note to say thanks for taking us through this process. Your Excel worksheet is excellent. Being in the lending business, I know all the items in the worksheet, but the format and the way it is laid out is awesome. I really appreciate your experience and what you bring to the discussion as you take us through the process. I have already talked up the worksheet, and have some parties interested in going through the process also. Stay tuned.”
Tom Meyer, Founder
Bizware, Inc.
“I just wanted to thank you again for the great work that you did on my business plan and all of the related documents. One of the key factors in signing up investors was the look and content of my investment package. Almost every investor commented very positively on how prepared we were to succeed based on the plan that you helped us prepare. By going through your extensive questions and answer protocols when preparing our business plan, I was better prepared to go through the discovery process on a number of other projects in my business. If you ever need a reference on your work, don’t hesitate to use me.”
Thomas Mangione, CEO
Empowering Chirporactic
“When we had our initial phone interview, we knew that the information Steve asked of us was very thorough and forward thinking. Then when we received the business plan, we were thrilled that the plan was so well put together, and still maintained our core vision and values.”
David Zielski, President
Seaside Naturals
“Steve, thanks for your help on our project. Your coaching and input has been very effective in helping me develop key perspectives on the GPV business, which provides for a more focused business model and story that shows and supports the greatest use of investment dollars for maximum ROI. Again, I just wanted to express appreciation.”
Daniel Garces, CEO
Green Planet Venture
“I found Steve Mortensen to be very patient, meticulous and incredibly thorough in his research as he helped me build the financial model for my company. I was also very impressed by his punctuality, responsiveness and timeliness in delivering the model within the deadline. I wholeheartedly and enthusiastically recommend Steve!”
Karim Pirani, Chairman
SafeList Ventures
“Working with Steve Mortensen is an important step for the discovery, design and development of a fundable business plan based on his dynamic financial modeling. I have taken clients through his intensive and structured process with stellar results. Ideally any start-up or existing company would work with Steve from the get-go to ensure that its financial basis is optimized for value. His knowledge, experience and expertise are valuable to any management team and he’s truly easy to work with.”
Roz Biles
Business Development and Strategic Planning Consultant
“I had an opportunity to enter a new market, but didn’t know how to approach it. Steve helped me evaluate this new business, and put together a strategy for testing the market. We sold the first 3 projects we quoted! Within 5 months, this business amounted to 1/3 of my company’s annual sales, and the projects just keep on coming. I highly recommend Steve to anyone looking to develop a new market. He came up with a no-nonsense plan, and helped me make it work. His ideas worked, and he was very supportive in helping me succeed. And it was surprisingly affordable as well. I probably would have lost this opportunity if I didn’t have Steve’s help.”
Jeff Dunagan, Owner
Protec Integrated Communication Systems
“Our company has used the professional services of Steve Mortensen since 1986. We continue to utilize Steve’s services because his work produces excellent results that we consider to be highly cost effective. He is practically a one-man, full-service sales and marketing department. Steve is uncommonly creative, as well as time efficient. He quickly envisions the goal, develops a strategy to achieve it, and then completes his work faster than you might expect. Steve knows how to get the job done – and he delivers!”
Wendell Keith, President
Keith Company
“Steve helps us make our client’s sales and marketing messages extraordinary! We have worked with him on many projects ranging from press releases, articles, web site development and brochure production, and every time, Steve crafts text and information that pops off the page and grabs the reader. We have had great success getting publications to pick up stories and press releases written by Steve due to his excellent writing and communication skills. I enjoy working with him, and am looking forward to many more projects to come.”
Judy Zulfiqar, President
RKR Media Associates
“I want to take a moment to share with you my extraordinary experience with your services. You offered to write and produce a DVD tool to assist in our sales presentations, and the all around exposure of our business and services. I stood there speechless as I watched for the very first time my new DVD presentation. I honestly was overwhelmed by emotion in viewing this digital work of art. Steve, you have truly captured the essence and spirit of what our business is impassioned to offer to our clients. I now allow our potential clients to view this DVD presentation at every consultation. They are always impressed. I am so very grateful to you for our unique and marvelous production, but equally as much for the tremendous service you have afforded to me personally and to my business.”
Erick Schultz, Owner
Hither Green Garden Weddings
“Steve’s process of developing the right sales messages far surpassed my expectations. It was based on reality and substance, not gimmicks. It was invigorating to define the passion and purpose of my company in terms that attract the right kind of customers.”
Peter Covic, President
APD Technologies
“The one word that describes my experience is WOW! Every time we talk, Steve gives me practical tools I can use immediately to get positive results. His approach is very powerful. One thing I really appreciate is Steve’s unique insight that helps me see my business in new ways. He is really good at finding jewels buried under mundane detail, and polishing them so they sparkle and shine. It’s a very exciting process!”
Patricia Allen, Owner
PARIS Financial
“Steve has an uncanny ability to diagnose the problem correctly the first time, and to prescribe the right course of action in the short and long-term.”
Bill Tsotsos, Business Development
Life Insurance Buyers, Inc.
“Steve displayed a very high level of competence, professionalism, and dedication in every task he undertook for Harper.”
Jeet Bhatia, President
Harper International
“Steve is an avid student, an apt learner, and a thought-provoking instructor. He handles himself well in front of large and small groups of people, earning respect and confidence through diligent study, thoughtful consideration, and frank discussion. I have seen many evidences of Steve’s integrity and dependability. He speaks from the heart, as one can see and feel when talking to him. I believe this characteristic has contributed to the success he enjoys. Also, when Steve commits to carry out an assignment, he puts forth his best effort and gets the work accomplished with positive results.”
Donald Atherton, Manager
Konica
Your Support Team
Steve heads up the Strategic Business Solutions team of business, finance, and valuation professionals that specialize in helping early stage companies prepare for raising investment capital. This team may be just what you need to put the funding of your business on the path of success.
Contact us for a complimentary review of your opportunity and needs.