Gunnar harris, fpap
Strategic Advisor to Fort Collins SMBs
I help founder-led Fort Collins businesses move from reactive day-to-day operations to clear, aligned, and intentional growth.
I work directly with founders and across their teams and operations to bring clarity and alignment to their business.
That means defining direction, improving decision-making, and integrating strategy, operations, and financial systems so the business runs as a cohesive whole.
The goal is to move from constant reaction to intentional execution.
Who this is for
This work is designed for local businesses that have momentum but are starting to feel the weight of growth and complexity.
Founder-led businesses in Fort Collins
~$1M–$20M in annual revenue
~5–50 employees
Established operations (not early-stage survival)
Businesses that have grown, but now feel messy or reactive
Typically, the founder:
Is still heavily involved in day-to-day operations
Has achieved success, but feels stuck or pulled in too many directions
Wants to operate more intentionally instead of constantly reacting
Cares about building something solid, not just chasing growth
What It Often Feels Like
Most businesses don’t struggle because of a lack of effort—they struggle because everything is disconnected.
Constantly putting out fires instead of operating with intention
Growth that feels messy and harder to manage
No clear direction or shared priorities
Decisions being made in isolation
Financials that exist but don’t actually guide the business
Team misalignment or lack of clarity
Everything still depending on the founder
What I Help Build
The goal is not more activity—it’s a business that actually works as a system.
Clear Direction
Define where the business is going and what actually matters
Better Decision-Making
Create a consistent way to make decisions based on real priorities, not urgency
Alignment Across the Business
Get strategy, operations, team, and financial resources working together
Ongoing Adaptation
Regularly review, adjust, and improve as the business evolves
Integrated Financial & Operational Clarity
Use financials to support decisions—not just report on the past
Translate direction into how the business actually operates day to day
Execution That Reflects Strategy
What Working Together Looks Like
This is an ongoing advisory relationship—not a one-time project.
I work directly with founders and stay involved as decisions are made, priorities shift, and the business evolves.
Ongoing monthly advisory
Regular conversations and working sessions
In-person when helpful (Fort Collins-based)
Involvement in both decision-making and execution
Built around real business needs, not a fixed template
What Changes
The founder operating at a higher level instead of staying stuck in operations
Clear direction and priorities across the business
More consistent and confident decision-making
A team that understands what matters and why
Financial and operational visibility that guides action
Growth that feels structured instead of overwhelming
Less day-to-day chaos and reactivity
How This Work Is Structured
This work connects strategy, financial understanding, and execution into a single system.
Instead of treating these as separate areas, they are built and managed together so the business can operate as a cohesive whole.
For a more detailed view, visit my “Approach” page
Background
Accounting background with focus on management and operations
Founder of Essentially Intentional, LLC
Fractional Controller & CFO experience with small and mid-sized businesses
Experience working across operations, inventory, and financial systems
Built and operated businesses directly
Experience teaching and building systems used by hundreds of thousands of business owners
Start With a Conversation
If this sounds relevant, the next step is simple—grab a coffee with me and talk through your business.
No pitch, just a real conversation about what’s going on and whether it makes sense to work together.