Tom Schaeffer

Thomas Schaeffer & Co.

𝗧𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿 & 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆 is a boutique agency providing ghostwriting and content strategy for executives who want to amplify their voice, sharpen their positioning, and expand their influence.

We work with leaders at pivotal moments—whether building thought leadership, leading a transition, or shaping a second act beyond corporate. Our services combine high-level ghostwriting, content systems, and selective coaching to help executives turn experience into leverage and build a presence that creates real opportunities.

Founder

Executive to Entrepreneur

𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗿 is a coaching and content platform for midlife professionals ready to leave the corporate grind, clarify their next move, and build a business that fits their life. We offer 1:1 coaching, frameworks, and practical guidance for reinvention.

Float Left

Float Left Interactive was a pioneer in TV app development and the first company to build Roku apps for media brands.  For over 12 years, Float Left has enabled media brands to deliver and manage the next generation of TV experiences on every screen.

🏆 2022 Streaming Media 50
🏆 2021 Streaming Media 50
🏆 2017 Streaming Media 100
🏆 2016 CableFax -> Most Innovative People in Multiscreen
🏆 2015 Streaming Media 100

Co-Founder, CEO (acquired)

The Weiss Group, Inc.

Developed internal and external web applications in direct support of company’s marketing initiatives.

Senior Software Engineer

Teledata Inc.

Developed EPA compliance software, specifically targeted to address fuel tank leak detection.

Software Engineer

Bridgeway Benefit Technologies

Provided programmatic and logical fixes for technical problems on ISSI’s Benefit Fund Administration System.

Account Representative /  Programmer

Ghostwriter for Influential Executives and Entrepreneurs || Transforming Ideas into Influence Through High-Impact Writing || Former CEO, 2x Founder, 1x Exit

I’m a former CEO turned writer and coach. I help midlife professionals turn experience into leverage—through writing, clarity, and reinvention.

After scaling and selling a 7-figure software agency, I walked away from the startup grind to build a simpler, more intentional life.

Along the way, I discovered something powerful:
Most executives don’t need another job.
They need clarity—and a path that’s finally theirs.

Today, I work with high-achieving professionals in transition—those ready to move from corporate to consulting, from founder to writer, or from executive to entrepreneur.

Here’s how I help:

1. Executive Ghostwriting
For founders and CEOs who want thought leadership that drives inbound demand—without spending hours writing content. You bring the insight. I bring the structure, clarity, and voice that earns authority and attracts opportunity.

2. Executive to Entrepreneur Coaching
A 12-week 1:1 experience to help you reinvent your career, clarify your offer, build a simple content system, and land your first client.
It’s for professionals who are ready to turn experience into independence—building something of their own, on their own terms.

At the core of both is a simple idea:
Use your expertise to build leverage and freedom—because your next chapter should serve your life, not the other way around.

[Coaching: exectoentrepreneur.com]
[Substack: exectoentrepreneur.substack.com]
[About Me: thomasschaeffer.me]

Writer

A ghostwriting agency for founders, CEOs, and business leaders looking to build influential personal brands.

Waverly Ave. Consulting

I help agency founders scale to and beyond seven figures through strategic positioning, profitable service models, and relationship-driven growth.

Work with me:
* Growth Incubator (intimate community + masterclasses + office hours support)
* Seven Figure Consulting (1:1)
* Agency Community (curated events, retreats, roundtables)
*Agency Darlings Podcast: Weekly conversations to support your growth

Get in touch: Melissa@waverlyave.com

Founder & Growth Strategist

Agency Darlings

Co-host of Agency Darlings, your insider's guide to the agency world. Meredith Witts and I spill the TEA on everything from profit margins to problem clients. Combining growth strategy expertise with candid conversations, we help agency owners navigate their path to 7-8 figures with style.

New episodes drop Tuesdays - consider it your weekly therapy session for agency life!

Podcast Host & Head of Partnerships

The Female Agency Owner's Collective

We are dedicated to uniting women, specifically those navigating the complexities of growing marketing agencies.

Member

Dreamers & Doers®

Dreamers & Doers amplifies the entrepreneurial pursuits of extraordinary women through thought leadership opportunities, authentic connection, and access.

Executive Member

Elmwood Brand Consultancy

Executive Director, Growth & Development

clarkmcdowall

Responsible for driving business growth strategy for clarkmcdowall including leading new business, account growth, marketing, pr and other partnership collaborations.

During my tenure with clarkmcdowall, I developed a Growth function from the ground up. From my early experiences managing our most valuable strategic partnerships, I transitioned into a new role and was accountable for driving new business. 

Contributions I am most proud of include:
    > introducing and implementing new tools & systems to improve efficiency and success rate
    > developing various models, strategies and thoughtful approaches for business development 
    > creating a sustainable and highly effective content program that drove inbound opportunities
    > deepening relationships across strategic accounts while stretching the business into new verticals 
    > increasing awareness and reach through PR initiatives conducted in-house 
    > creating an internal philosophy and culture around growth

Head of Growth & Leadership Team Member

Director of Business Planning, Growth

Senior Business Planner, Growth

Client Manager, Relationships

New York University

Integrated Marketing Strategy Course

Course highlights included: Brand Strategy, Planning and Management, Digital Marketing, Competitive Strategy, Social Media and The Brand, and Theory of Public Relations

Graduate Student (part-time)

dentsu international

Supported Executive Suite, including President, SVP Group Account Director, Chief Finance Officer, and Head of New Business.

Executive Assistant to President and SVP Group Account Director

Sonia Rykiel

Worked directly with the PR Director and Granddaughter of Sonia Rykiel in building the brand in the US market.

Marketing And Public Relations Assistant

Orange Business UK

Worked alongside the Sales and Marketing teams in London Headquarters preparing marketing pitch decks and materials, developing industry research presentations, generating new business leads, and supporting planning for promotional events

Marketing And Business Development Intern

I help agency founders build empowered, in-demand businesses that scale to seven figures.

Most founders try:
- Following other agencies' playbooks without a strategy
- Building a business they think they should have but don’t actually want 
- Adding more services and hiring as a way to scale
- Investing in lead gen that delivers low-quality prospects

Instead, I focus on:
1. Strategic positioning that sets you apart
2. Profitable, scalable offers 
3. Relationship-driven growth

REAL CLIENT RESULTS:
* 2.5X revenue growth: scaling from $400K to $1M+ within one year
* Tripled monthly recurring revenue
* Closed $100k+ of new business in less than 90 days
* Two clients join the top 2% of women-owned businesses ($1M+) in 2024

My long-story short?

I spent 13 years working in-house at agencies in every position from Receptionist to Account Manager to Executive Director of Growth. 

After burning out, I became obsessed with finding ways of improving the agency model - building empowered and in-demand agencies with the Founders that lead them.

Work with me:
* Growth Incubator 📈 (intimate community + masterclasses + office hours support)
* Seven Figure Consulting 👩‍💻 (1:1)
* Agency Community 🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 (curated events, retreats, roundtables)
* Agency Darlings Podcast 💁🏼‍♀️(weekly conversations to support your growth - listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more)

Get in touch: Melissa@waverlyave.com

Melissa Lohrer

Almost every founder I know has NO IDEA how impressive they actually are.

That hit me hard this week as we kicked off the Agency Darlings community.

Agency owners — accomplished, battle-tested, wildly talented — sharing the real stuff: the pivots, the breakdowns, the rebuilds, the big wins.

Each person shared their story and what they were most proud of this year… like it was no big deal.

While they questioned themselves, I had a moment thinking...
“How did I get here? How am in this room, let alone co-hosting this meeting?” 🤯 

It was a genuine moment of pride after so many moments of doubt, burnout, and confusion over the past 15 years of my career.

And it reminded me that growth is ALL perspective.
What are we actually measuring our success against? Last week? Last month? Last year? 

Sometimes we’re too close to our own story and we're not zooming out to see the full picture. 
Sometimes need to see it reflected in someone else’s eyes to remember who we are.

There’s that saying:
You’re the sum of the five people you surround yourself with.
If that’s true, I can only hope I become the sum of the founders in this community. 

Because something powerful happens when you put founders in a room together:
They SPARK.
They see themselves more clearly.
They remember what they’ve built.
They start believing in BIGGER.

We still have a few spots open as we shape this founding group and close out 2025.

If you’re a six- to seven-figure agency founder who wants to grow alongside others who are equally driven, experienced, and generous —
send me a DM or apply at https://lnkd.in/eqsfydhr 💚

Growth Strategy for Modern Creative Agencies | Building Empowered, In-Demand Agencies | Agency Darlings Host 🎙️

Growth isn't a straight line.

It looks that way when you zoom out but when you're in it, it's a series of ups and downs.

That's why perspective is everything.

Stability is somewhat temporary in growth, it looks like:
- Climb to hit a new phase
- Maintain the new phase
- Outgrow the phase

Start again.

One of the hardest parts I see is that transition from outgrowing the phase your in and going back into the climb - where it's uncomfortable, it's tiring, it's risky and therefore comes with failure.

BUT it's required to keep growing.

This season on Agency Darlings we wanted to bring in a few agency founders who could share their story of the climb - the highs, lows, and transitions between these growth phases.

Our first conversation is with Amy Jackson , Founder of TaleSplash and we talk about some of her biggest wins:
- Niching by problem and values, not just industry
- Holding out for the RIGHT clients who want strategy, not transactions
- Pricing for the real effort your best work requires
- Set boundaries that make space for leadership and life

🎙️ We hope you enjoy this special episode of Agency Darlings on What Sustainable Growth Really Looks Like. 
(Link in comments)

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The Battle

Tom Schaeffer

Melissa Lohrer

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The Battle

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Melissa Lohrer

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