Breakthrough Business School
In 2005 this was Kerri Salls' virtual business school website to train, consult and coach small business CEO’s and entrepreneurs in 10 key strategies so they would have to tools and knowledge to make more profit in less time. The content below is from the site's 2005 archived pages.
Currently, Kerri Salls, Managing Director at This Way Out Group LLC, a boutique management consulting firm, is a thought leader creating a revolution in the exit planning field. To learn more go to: 3xvaluegrowth.com/
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2005
You know how some business owners/CEOs and sole proprietors are consumed by the cumulative demands of sales, marketing, finance, personnel, or service requirements?
Which means that they are working long hours, and have no time for themselves or family; they're stressed about money and disillusioned about what it will take to make their business succeed.
We know the challenges they face, having experienced every one. Along the way, we developed proven workable solutions to break through them all.
Well, we offer a nationwide year-long program for owners/CEOs and their teams which means that we train, consult and coach them in 10 key strategies proven to create "More Profit in Less Time."
Clients benefit from a remarkable blend of more energy from working fewer hours, peace of mind about money, a balanced home life and a renewed passion for the work they love.
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"....some business owners/CEOs and sole proprietors are consumed by the cumulative demands of sales, marketing, finance, personnel, or service requirements."
That is a statement I can totally relate to. I founded Nest Homeware in 2013 with a vision to make beautiful products that would last forever. It has been both an exhilarating, exhausting and sometimes frustrating experience. The design side of my business creating cast iron cookware ranging from braising pans, dutch ovens, egg pan to cast iron skillets has been a delight. My cookware is designed with ergonomics in mind, and it shows. The handle on my 9 inch skillet has been called the most comfortable available on a cast iron skillet, meticulously sculpted to fit both left and right hands. The handle design captures the gesture of a branch from a cherry tree, abstracted into a form that's pleasing to the eyes and the hands. The interiors of the cast iron cookware from Nest Homeware are machined smooth, which makes for not only an incredible cooking experience, but also for stunning looking cast iron pans.
Dealing with the manufacturing side has been really hard work since finding companies in the US that can cast and finish my cast iron products to the quality I want has been difficult. And then there is the enormous amount of sales work that is also required. Since I can't afford a sales rep, I have to be my own sales rep picking the best houseware shows where I can connect with companies who would want to sell my high end quality products. I also have to wear a webmaster hat, creating a website and its content and images, along with promoting my brand by posting on social media and listing reviews. I also have to season all my finished cast iron items once they are delivered to my studio/ shop in Providence, RI, and then package to drop ship orders. Sometimes I have some many obligations it feels overwhelming. Yet, it's so rewarding when I receive positive feed back from satisfied customers, making all the hours of work worth it.
However, in hindsight, it might be advantageous for me to consult some one such as Kerri Salls. At this point it is wishful thinking that I could even envision taking a 3 week vacation without my cell phone. But it might be helpful to design a long term strategic plan. However, I am too busy right now, getting ready for my next house ware show and completing orders!
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Would you like to know more?
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Kerri
Founder, The Breakthrough Business School
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"The answer for me is very simple. You helped me with my decision to become a consultant. You gave me answers in a clear, concise, business manner, which is what I was looking for. I had done my homework with others and they ran fluff all over me. You gave me literature, answered my questions and let me know how you had made it work for you. You were honest, you gave me great ideas, you laid it out for me because you could understand from me that I needed the business break-down. I admired your integrity; as well as your interpersonal skills which were top-notch."
Kelly Axtell, Consultant, Chelmsford, Ma
As a small business owner specializing in functional street style spandex pants for savvy chic women, I needed the push to move to the next level. Your program gave me the confidence and tools to break through. I have just hired a local Baltimore moving company. They have been so helpful helping me plan this major move. These Baltimore movers packed & moved us to our new offices that will include a large airy studio for designing, a space for production, and a front office. I / we are all so excited. Thank you so much for your insights.
Trey Wilson, Designer, Baltimore Maryland
A Note From Kerri Salls
I can best describe what I do for a living by sharing with you a defining moment in my life back in 1990. I was a successful consultant for state-of-the-art technology companies; delivering superior technical documentation with a waiting list of clients.
At the time, my sons were ages 2 and 4. I was working 80 hour weeks and had sold my soul to the business. For the second year in a row, we did not get a family vacation, and because I had Monday morning deadlines I had to work through every single weekend that summer.
Clearly, this was not working?
I kept sputtering that I didn't have kids to have trophies. I wanted to raise my own kids. I saw three choices.
- I could clone myself - I tried that - it didn't work.
- I could burn myself out in the business and never see my family - which I was doing.
- Or I could let go of the glorified serfdom of a 6 - digit consulting business and find a new career. I chose the latter.
That was a strategic turning point for me. Instead of focusing on the paper and the process as my deliverables, I expanded the business to provide situation-specific solutions. It was a strong match blending my MBA training, strategic visioning, and natural enthusiasm.
I found the most pleasure in my work and the most value to clients was in the direction and support I gave to small business owners and high tech startups in terms of vision, planning and problem-solving.
As a result, I am now dedicating the rest of my professional life to helping small technology CEOs to make more profit in less time. These leaders:
- Are burnt out fighting fires & wearing too many hats in the business,
- Need sharp selling skills and marketing innovations,
- Recognize that procrastination paralyzes business.
I know the challenges they face, because I've experienced every one. Along the way, I developed proven workable solutions:
- to identify and break through barriers to success
- to handle building and running all aspects of the business
- to balance the long hours, stress about money, family life and time for yourself
- to grasp what it takes to succeed in business, which may be totally different from what you've been taught or experienced up to now.
Since 1999, I have been helping small business owners break through their own barriers to success.
My business now includes:
- Savoring 12 weeks vacation spread throughout each year;
- Enjoying 3-day weekends during the 40 weeks that I do work;
- Coaching clients 3 full days each week via email and phone;
- Focusing 1 full day each working week on developing my business;
- Accelerated earnings:
- to pay college tuitions without loans,
- to invest for a worry-free future and
- to contribute time and resources to my favorite charities
- Doing only what I most love to do, which is training, writing and coaching. I work single-handed as a coach, while my support team handles "everything else". Together we maintain a high level of profitability.
- Serving clients who rave about the exponential difference I make in their lives.
My Background:
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"I developed a professional relationship with you via a product sale 8 years ago. In a consultant, I look for honesty and integrity. I find selling any product is more than showmanship and fast talking. It is the accumulation of accurate data, honest presentation and response to Q & A. The marketing of a product should always be upfront and honest with the client. You want to make the sale but more important you want to make a customer for continued sales.
Kerri, your presentation and continued honest approach of what will or will not work for your customer has and will be appreciated. I can imagine you have been successful because of this methodology of marketing is more effective than just selling for the sake of making a sale.
Your positive approach to self, family, career and life is exhibited in how you presented the products and response to the demands clients place on their consultant.
To simply summarize: your honesty and integrity is why I have enjoyed your professional opinion and service."
Beth Faucher, President
EGF Accounting & Tax Service
Nashua, NH 03062-1433
More Background on Breakthrough Business School
Breakthrough Business School was an innovative virtual platform founded in 2005 by Kerri Salls. Designed to empower small business owners, CEOs, and entrepreneurs, the school offered a structured program to help leaders achieve "More Profit in Less Time." By addressing the unique challenges faced by business owners, the school provided tools, strategies, and coaching to foster sustainable growth and personal fulfillment. This article delves into the history, offerings, audience, impact, and legacy of Breakthrough Business School.
History and Founding Vision
Kerri Salls established Breakthrough Business School as a response to the struggles she observed among small business leaders. Many entrepreneurs were overwhelmed by the demands of managing sales, marketing, finance, personnel, and operations. This often led to burnout, stress about finances, and a lack of work-life balance. Drawing from her own experiences as a consultant and her MBA expertise in International Marketing and Operations Management, Salls created a program that combined strategic planning with actionable solutions.
The school's mission was rooted in Salls' personal journey. In 1990, she faced a pivotal moment when her demanding consulting career left her with little time for her family. Recognizing the need for change, she shifted her focus to helping others break free from similar challenges. Breakthrough Business School became the embodiment of this vision—a platform designed to equip entrepreneurs with the tools they needed to succeed without sacrificing their personal lives.
Program Offerings
Breakthrough Business School provided a year-long nationwide program that focused on ten key strategies aimed at improving profitability while reducing time investment. These strategies were tailored to address common pain points for business owners:
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Sales Optimization: Enhancing selling skills and implementing ethical selling principles.
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Marketing Innovation: Developing effective marketing strategies to boost visibility and engagement.
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Financial Management: Streamlining financial operations for better cash flow and profitability.
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Operational Efficiency: Improving processes to save time and resources.
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Personnel Development: Building strong teams and fostering leadership skills.
Participants had access to various resources, including:
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The Business Success Indicator, a tool designed to assess areas of improvement.
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Downloadable guides like "Ethical Selling Principles" and "The Professional Evolution."
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A curated reading list to support personal and professional growth.
Additionally, subscribers received a free e-newsletter packed with insights on leadership strategies, recommended readings, and articles aimed at transforming businesses from good to great.
Audience
The school primarily catered to:
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Small business owners
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CEOs of startups
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Entrepreneurs seeking sustainable growth
These individuals often faced challenges such as long working hours, financial stress, and difficulty scaling their businesses. Breakthrough Business School provided them with practical solutions to overcome these obstacles while achieving a better work-life balance.
Cultural and Social Significance
Breakthrough Business School was more than just an educational platform; it was a movement that reshaped how entrepreneurs approached their businesses. By emphasizing ethical practices, strategic planning, and personal well-being, it challenged traditional notions of success that prioritized profits over people.
The school's holistic approach resonated deeply with its audience. It empowered leaders not only to achieve financial success but also to create businesses that aligned with their values and aspirations. This cultural shift had a ripple effect on the entrepreneurial community, fostering a more balanced and sustainable approach to business management.
Client Testimonials
The impact of Breakthrough Business School is evident in the testimonials of its participants:
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Kelly Axtell, a consultant from Chelmsford, MA, credited Salls for providing clear and concise guidance that helped her transition into consultancy with confidence.
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Trey Wilson, a designer from Baltimore, shared how the program gave him the tools and confidence to expand his business into larger offices with enhanced production capabilities.
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Other clients praised Salls' integrity, interpersonal skills, and ability to deliver transformative results through personalized coaching.
These testimonials highlight the program's effectiveness in addressing diverse business needs.
Press and Media Coverage
Kerri Salls' work has been widely recognized in various media outlets. She is celebrated as a thought leader in entrepreneurship and value growth. Her contributions include:
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Authoring books like Multiply Your Business Value in 3 Steps, which offers actionable insights on scaling businesses efficiently.
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Hosting podcasts such as 3X Value Growth, where she shares strategies for optimizing business operations.
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Being featured in platforms like WE Magazine for Women’s Top 100 Women in Ecommerce™, which acknowledged her goal-oriented strategies for achieving breakthrough results.
Salls also earned the prestigious Certified Value Growth Advisor (CVGA) designation, reflecting her expertise in maximizing enterprise value while minimizing risk.
Insights into Kerri Salls' Philosophy
At the core of Breakthrough Business School was Salls' philosophy of creating exponential value rather than focusing solely on profits. Her approach integrated strategy, systems, and measurable execution to help businesses achieve long-term sustainability. Key aspects of her methodology included:
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Professionalizing operations
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Reducing risks
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Preparing businesses for optimal exits or scaling opportunities
Salls believed that success required breaking through barriers—whether they were operational inefficiencies or mindset limitations—and she provided actionable solutions for doing so.
Examples of Impact
The transformative power of Breakthrough Business School is evident in numerous success stories:
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A printing industry client achieved a 600% increase in enterprise value within two years through strategic interventions.
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A safety-focused company doubled its revenue while improving cash flow by 25% after implementing Salls' recommendations.
These examples underscore the tangible benefits of the school's programs.
Legacy and Transition
While Breakthrough Business School itself is no longer active, its principles live on through Kerri Salls' current ventures. As Managing Director at This Way Out Group LLC—a boutique management consulting firm—Salls continues to help middle-market companies maximize their value while preparing for successful exits. Her ongoing work builds upon the foundation established by Breakthrough Business School.
Through initiatives like 3X Value Growth podcasts and consulting services offered by Value Growth Holdings LLC, Salls remains committed to empowering entrepreneurs with tools for sustainable success.
Breakthrough Business School was a trailblazing initiative that addressed the unique challenges faced by small business owners and entrepreneurs. By combining strategic visioning with practical tools, Kerri Salls created a platform that not only improved profitability but also enhanced personal fulfillment for its participants.
Although the school has transitioned into other ventures led by Salls, its legacy endures in the lives of countless entrepreneurs who benefited from its programs. The principles it championed—balancing professional success with personal well-being—continue to inspire leaders worldwide.