Ever notice how the best companies are built on great teams? That's what drives me at KMP Consultants. We're all about putting people first to fuel sustainable growth and create workplaces where top talent thrives. 

My journey? It's been quite the ride! I've spent years in aerospace and defense, leading global teams with some pretty hefty budgets. I've had the chance to shake things up with innovative products and weather storms like economic downturns and natural disasters. Trust me, nothing teaches you about leadership quite like those experiences! 

But wait, there's more! I also helped kick off Excelation, where we're all about boosting company performance through smart benefits, savvy financial moves, and some cool automation tricks. Our goal? Save companies millions while making work better for everyone involved. 

Oh, and did I mention I lived in Asia for 16 years? Talk about an eye-opener! It really shaped my global perspective. When I'm not working, you might find me in the cockpit – I'm a commercial pilot and flight instructor. I also love participating in international missions, which keeps me on my toes and constantly learning. 

So that's me in a nutshell – always looking for new ways to lead, innovate, and make work life awesome for everyone involved. Let's connect and chat about how we can make great things happen!

Karen M. Pierce

Business Guide who specializes in Strategy, Execution and Communication. Podcaster and Developer of Leaders #fishingforbusiness

Most owners don't realize they've become the problem.

If your business slows down when you're not involved… If decisions stack up on your desk… If growth feels harder now than it did at half the size… You're not bad at business. You're just in the middle of everything. And that doesn't scale.

I've spent the last decade helping owner-led businesses fix exactly this — and the results speak for themselves:
•	120+ businesses coached
•	4 exits above asking price (7-figure and 8-figure)
•	In 2024: 9 of 12 clients doubled revenue while increasing margins
•	Law firm: $600K → $1.2M in 2.5 years
•	NDT company: $250K → $750K in 2 years

Before coaching, I spent 29 years in oil & gas as one of the first 10 FERC-required environmental inspectors. I oversaw 1000+ miles of pipeline and helped sell a consulting firm to a multinational company. I understand complex operations and what it takes to build systems that work.

Here's the Straight Talk

More hustle won't fix: 
Decision Bottlenecks 
Unclear Priorities 
Teams Waiting for Direction 
Owners Who Cannot Step Away

Those aren't effort problems. They're execution problems.

What I Actually Do

I help owners of $1M–$20M service businesses build companies that run without them being the hub. Clear direction, not moving targets. KPIs that drive decisions. Leaders who own outcomes. Decisions pushed down, not pulled up. Less chaos, more control.

The goal is simple: The business runs. The team leads. The owner isn't the bottleneck.

How This Is Different

I'm not here to pump you up. I'm here to help you rebuild how your business operates. My approach: Build It World Class™ and Teach Your Business to Fish™ methodologies have been proven across 120+ businesses. 
I created Whiteboards N Whiskey (300+ events, 3 countries, 2x Martin Hower Innovation Award). This isn't theory. 

It's execution.

Who This Is (and Isn't) For
✔ Owner-led service businesses • $1M–$20M revenue • Ready to build leverage
✖ Startups • Hustle culture • "Just need more leads" thinking

If This Hits Close to Home

Being the bottleneck isn't a personality flaw. It's a business risk. And it's fixable.

Michael Rager

Effort isn’t the problem. Focus is. 🎯 3–5 priorities. That’s it. Because when everything’s important, nothing is.

#BuildItWorldClass #RockefellerHabits #BusinessFocus #Execution #ScalingBusiness #EntrepreneurMindset #WhiskeyAndWisdom

Michael  Rager

Helped 120+ Businesses Scale | 4 Exits Above Asking Price | 9 Clients Doubled Revenue in 2024 | I Help $1M–$20M Owners Build Companies That Run Without Them

If you own a business in The Woodlands, This could be for you.

Cigars N Old Fashioneds started as a laid-back Friday afternoon meetup between a few business owners looking to unwind and have real conversations. What began casually has grown into one of Houston’s most powerful and exclusive business networking events. With premium cigars, handcrafted old fashioneds, and meaningful connection at its core, this monthly gathering attracts top-tier small business owners, executives, and decision-makers from across the city.

Now a membership-based community, Cigars N Old Fashioneds has become a trusted space where deals are made, partnerships are formed, and referrals flow naturally. With several million dollars in closed business attributed directly to relationships formed at these events, it’s more than networking — it’s a platform for growth, influence, and long-term collaboration. If you’re serious about growing through connection and conversation, this is where you want to be.

Come give us a try!

#thewoodlandsbusinessnetworking
#cigarsnoldfashioneds
#whiteboardsnwhiskey
#businessnetworking

View event: Cigars N Old Fashioneds - The Woodlands

Whiteboards N Whiskey is Expanding

If you are coach or consultant who is looking to add a unique twist to your business you should look towards Whiteboards N Whiskey.

Company Description
Whiteboards N Whiskey is a unique platform designed to connect business owners over a shared passion for strategic growth and whiskey. The company focuses on fostering collaboration by creating opportunities to share strategies, ideas, and solutions for challenges such as client acquisition and team building. Through interactive sessions, participants leave with new actionable insights, innovative methods to enhance their businesses, and valuable connections with like-minded entrepreneurs. At Whiteboards N Whiskey, professionals come together to learn, grow, and enjoy good company.

Role Description
This is a remote role for a Franchise Owner with Whiteboards N Whiskey. As a Franchise Owner, you will oversee all aspects of the franchise operations in your designated area, including promoting the brand, organizing collaborative events, and fostering relationships with local businesses and professionals. Key responsibilities will include managing operations, coordinating events, generating leads, and ensuring the success of the franchise. You will work to establish a strong presence in your local community while aiming to provide value to participants through meaningful networking and business growth opportunities.

Qualifications
Strong business development, leadership, and organizational skills
Proven experience in event planning, marketing, and partnership building
Excellent communication, networking, and interpersonal skills
Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to work independently and take initiative

Passion for small business development and fostering community among professionals

Understanding of effective client acquisition and team-building strategies
Prior experience in business ownership or franchise management is highly desirable

#franchiseopportunity
#franchise
#WhiteboardsNWhiskey
#BusinessCoach
#BusinessConsultant

I Help $1M–$10M Business Owners Stop Being the Bottleneck & Build Companies That Run Without Them

Welcome Back to Be A Shark Monday! 🦈

It’s January 19th. The planning phase is over—we are now in “Strategy in Motion.” Success isn't found on a whiteboard; “real business gets done here,” in the active pursuit and the daily grind.

To keep your momentum surging, here are 4 tips to keep your strategy moving:

1. Move the Boat to Find the School: A static boat catches nothing. If your current leads are cold, change your position.

	Shark Move: Don't wait for the market to come to you; navigate to where the activity is happening today.

2. Adjust the Rudder in Real-Time: Strategy in motion means being agile. If the "current" of a deal shifts, pivot immediately rather than fighting the tide.

	Shark Move: Use real-time feedback from sales calls to tweak your pitch mid-week.

3. Keep the Bait Fresh: What worked on January 1st might be stale by the 19th. Real business requires high-energy, relevant offers.

	Shark Move: Update your outreach messaging to reflect the specific pressures your clients are feeling this week.

4. Commit to the Strike: You can’t land a fish if you’re hesitant to set the hook. "Strategy in motion" requires decisive action.

	Shark Move: When a prospect shows interest, skip the "let me think about it" phase and move directly to the closing terms.

Planning is the map, but execution is the journey. Real business happens when you stop looking at the chart and start working the lines.

What’s one part of your strategy you’ve officially put into "motion" this morning?

#BeASharkMonday #StrategyInMotion #BusinessCoaching #Execution #Entrepreneurship #WorldClassCoach #SalesMomentum

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Check out our Upcoming Events starting with Cigars N Old Fashioneds this Friday!!

Welcome back to the deep water. As we cross the midpoint of January, the "new year" smell is fading, and the real work of the season is beginning. Whi

Open article:  Welcome Back to Be A Shark Newsletter - 
February Edition! by Michael Rager • 4 min read

Welcome Back to Be A Shark Newsletter - 
February Edition!

Welcome Back to Be A Shark Monday! 🦈

It’s January 12th: The holiday fog is gone. It’s officially “Back to Business.” The marketplace is alive, the conversations are back - and they matter. Every interaction this week is a chance for a record-breaking haul.

To dominate the current, here are 4 "fisherman’s tactics" for your business conversations:

1. Listen for the Heavy Hit: Don't just skim the surface. Find the deep-sea pain points.

 	 Shark Move: Stop pitching and start probing. The deeper you go, the bigger the hook.

2. Re-Engage the ‘Almost-Caught’: Those Q4 leads aren't gone; they were just under the ice.

	Shark Move: Use a “Value-First” lure. Send a fresh 2026 insight instead of a generic “check-in.”

3. The Lure of Specificity: Generic hooks catch nothing in a crowded sea.

	Shark Move: Tailor every call to a specific mid-January challenge your client is facing now.

4 Tighten the Line: “Let’s talk” is just drifting.

	Shark Move: Never hang up without a firm “Next-Cast” calendar invite.

The water is teeming with life. Make your conversations count and fill your boat by the end of Q1.

What is the most important business conversation you need to have before Friday?

#BeASharkMonday #BackToBusiness #BusinessCoaching #SalesStrategy #Entrepreneurship #WorldClassCoach #Q1Momentum

Hey Houston Business Owners,

Are you sick and tired of networking events where you get pitched? you have to give a 60 second elevator pitch? and you feel like you have to give referrals to people you don't know?

If so, then Cigars N Old Fashioneds is for you. This members only event is just what it says. Cigars and Old Fashioneds. What a better way to connect. Slow down, have a conversation with someone that isn't entirely about business. Actually get to know that person at the event, no pitching, no elevator speeches just real live networking.

This is business owners connecting with business owners who actually solve real world problems. It doesn't matter if you smoke cigars or drink whiskey. If you want to meet actual "PEERS", then this is the place for you.
Come give us a try this Friday afternoon.

#HoustonNetworking
#HoustonBusinessOwners
#Cigars
#Whiskey
#WhiteboardsNWhiskey
#WhiskeyNWisdom

Open article: Cigars N Old Fashioned by ubme.com

Are you the bottleneck in your business? 

Take this short 33-question assessment to identify where your business has bottlenecks, what may be holding you back, and what changes are necessary to create a company that operates independently of your constant involvement. This assessment is straightforward, without fluff or guesswork.

https://bit.ly/40OSTQw 

#Builditworldclass  
#BusinessSuccess

Do you deserve success?
#builditworldclass
#businesssuccess
#whiteboardsnwhiskey

Welcome Back to Be A Shark Monday! 🦈

Happy New Year, Captains! It is Monday, January 5th, 2026. The calendar has flipped, the water is fresh, and the horizon is wide open. While the rest of the world is still "easing" back into their routines and nursing holiday hangovers, we are hitting the water at full throttle.

Q1 is officially live. It’s time to stop talking about 2026 goals and start reeling them in. To ensure you start this year with an absolute bang, here are three high-level "fisherman’s tactics" to dominate the opening week:

1. High-Grade Your Catch from the First Cast: Don't waste your premium bait on "small fry" just to feel busy. In this first week of January, audit your prospect list and focus 100% of your energy on the top 20% of opportunities - the "whales" that will define your year. By targeting high-value "catch" immediately, you set a standard for excellence that carries through the next twelve months.

2. Break the Surface Tension (The Icebreaker Strategy): The market often starts January with a bit of a "freeze" as people get back into the swing of things. Be the icebreaker. Increase your outreach volume by 25% this week. While your competitors are still "getting settled" and organizing their desks, you should be the first lure they see. Speed to market in the first five days of the year is a massive competitive advantage.

3. Check Your Drag for the Big Fight: You’re going after bigger targets this year, which means more pressure on your line. Review your team’s capacity and your internal systems (your "drag settings") TODAY. Ensure that when you hook that massive Q1 contract, your operations can handle the tension without snapping. Don't wait for the "big fish" to realize your systems are too weak to land them.

2026 belongs to the sharks who are willing to hunt while the rest of the ocean is still asleep. Let’s make this the most explosive Q1 launch in your history!

What is the #1 "Big Fish" target you are casting for this week? Tell me in the comments!

#BeASharkMonday #BusinessCoaching #NewYear2026 #Q1Launch #Entrepreneurship #WorldClassCoach #SalesStrategy #BusinessGrowth #StartStrong

Are you a business owner in Katy, TX, looking for a networking event tailored specifically for you? 

Join us for The Whiskey N Wisdom Collectives - Cigars N Old Fashioneds, an event designed for business owners and C-level executives to relax, connect, communicate, and refer business. 

This Friday at 2 PM, we will gather at The Federal American Grill in Katy. 

Use the link to register: https://lnkd.in/gQu3RCHe.

Open article: Cigars N Old Fashioned - Katy by ubme.com

Most business owners fish with whatever bait is on the boat:

More leads. More hustle. More hours.

But the 𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗵𝘆 𝗳𝗶𝘀𝗵 isn’t just revenue… it’s 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

Peter Fuller tells a story that should wake every owner up:
Kevin, a CEO with nearly 30 years in business, planned an ESOP around a $𝟭𝟬𝟬𝗠 valuation. The bank cut $𝟯𝟱𝗠 - not because the business wasn’t “successful,” but because 𝘁𝗼𝗼 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿. It took Kevin 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 to diversify and earn that value back.

That’s the difference between 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹-𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 and 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻-𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 thinking.
Because the truth is:

Revenue can look like a big catch… while risk is quietly cutting your line beneath the surface.

A 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻-𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 focuses on six “world-class” value metrics that de-risk and strengthen the business:

🎣 𝗖𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (how exposed are you?)
🎣 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲 (how predictable is the bite?)
🎣 𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 (can you grow without dragging the boat down with costs?)
🎣 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗵 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝘄 (the lifeblood in rough waters)
🎣 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (stability, culture, continuity)
🎣 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 (can the company run without you at the helm?)

And here’s the coaching mindset shift that seals it:
In the 𝗦𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀™, cash and growth aren’t the first signals - They’re 𝗹𝗮𝗴𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀. The upstream drivers start with 𝗬𝗢𝗨, then 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽, then 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗲𝘀, then 𝗖𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀, and only after that do you see the downstream impact on financial partners, cash, and growth.

So if you’re building a business you might sell someday (or simply want one that’s stronger, safer, and more scalable), ask yourself:

𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄… 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝘂𝗽 - 𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗻𝗮𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲?

Comment “𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗛𝗬” and I’ll share a checklist to pressure-test your value drivers.

Welcome Back to Be A Shark Monday! 🦈

It’s January 26th - the final sprint of the month. As we close the first chapter of 2026, remember the ultimate law of the deep: “Connections Compound.” In high-stakes business, it is always Relationships first. Business follows.

To multiply your influence this week, use these 4 "fisherman’s tactics":

1. Chum the Water with Value: Don't lead with a hook. Share an introduction or a resource first. When you provide value without an invoice, you build the trust required to land the big catch.

2. Troll with the Right Crew: One elite connection is worth 1,000 cold calls. Your network is your sonar - it reveals the "whales" you simply cannot see from the surface.

3. Check Your Long-Lines: Real connections aren't one-and-done. Consistent, low-pressure follow-ups compound over time into high-trust, high-ticket contracts.

4. Ride the Referral Current: When you prioritize the person over the price tag, your clients become your scouts. A warm referral is the fastest way to bypass the competition and move straight to the close.

Don't just hunt for deals; build a fleet. Real business growth is a byproduct of the trust you earn today.

Who is one person in your network you can provide value to today without asking for anything in return?

#BeASharkMonday #ConnectionsCompound #BusinessCoaching #Networking #Entrepreneurship #WorldClassCoach #RelationshipsFirst #JanuaryGoals

I'm hosting Cigars N Old Fashioneds - The Woodlands. Make sure to attend it on January 23. It may be cold, but nothing that we can't handle.

As a coach this is one thing I keep my clients focused on. You have ti keep your clients happy and if you fumble, get on that ball.

#builditworldclass
#businesssuccess
#whiteboardsnwhiskey

We needed an explanation…😬

LiquorHub in Sharon, MA used to be one of our TOP stores in the entire state, moving tons of NOCA every year…then suddenly they hadn’t ordered in almost 12 months👀We had to pull up and figure out what the issue was…

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The Battle

Karen M. Pierce

Michael Rager

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The Battle

Karen M. Pierce

Michael Rager

Followers

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Engagements

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Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Michael Rager's LinkedIn Performance

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