Perspective strategic advisory

Strategic perspective for founders and small teams

I help founders and operators cut through noise, find the real blocker, and make the next move with more clarity and less theater.

Request a free session About Richard

Richard Kappel writing at a table with two collaborators

What people say

A clearer room changes what teams can do.

Francesco Rocca

Managing Director at Impact Hub Lisbon

“Richard’s Project Management support, using tools like Trello, Slack, and Google Calendar, transformed our operations at Impact Hub by unifying activities on a single platform and customizing solutions to our needs. His hands-on approach and adaptability were invaluable, fostering a transparent, constructive culture that strengthened team unity. Richard’s commitment to understanding both professional and emotional challenges made a significant impact. His guidance and innovative strategies are crucial assets for any organization seeking growth.”

What advisory helps you do

Find the real issue, make the next decision, and keep momentum.

When the business is moving fast, the problem is rarely a lack of ideas. It is knowing what deserves focus, what can wait, and where the team is losing energy or clarity.

Richard Kappel speaking on stage — In the room

Useful perspective comes from being close to the people, tradeoffs, and pressure that are actually shaping the decision.

Business development

Refine the story, sharpen the offer, and focus your growth effort on the channels that matter most.

Project and team management

Bring order to scattered work, decision pressure, and delivery friction before the team burns time or trust.

Community development

Turn disconnected people into an engaged network with a clearer rhythm, stronger identity, and better communication.

Brand positioning

Clarify how you should show up, what you should emphasize, and where your message is still muddy.

Backed by evidence

Businesses with advisors outperform.

Research across SMEs and startups points in the same direction. The right outside perspective improves decision quality, resilience, and growth.

Why this matters

Advisory is not about another opinion in the room. It is about better pattern recognition, cleaner tradeoffs, and a stronger operating rhythm when the stakes feel high.

Evidence

Advisory support improves survival

U.S. firms that received ongoing counseling from Small Business Development Centers showed higher survival and sales growth than comparable non counseled firms.

Chrisman et al., Journal of Business Venturing

Evidence

Long term profit and employment gains

A randomized study with 432 Mexican SMEs found one year of professional consulting increased productivity, returns on assets, and employment over time.

Bruhn, Karlan, Schoar, Journal of Political Economy

Evidence

Mentorship multiplies startup success

Structured mentorship in accelerator programs led founders to raise more funding and hire more people than peers who only received cash or workspace.

Gonzalez Uribe, Leatherbee, Review of Financial Studies

What people say

The work gets remembered because it changes how people operate.

Lauren Miller

Community Lead at makesense

“Richard brought structure, clarity, and energy to the makesense Lisbon community. He co-created a clear strategy, implemented project management systems, and led in-person sessions that united volunteers around a shared vision. His methods made it easy for everyone to understand their role, stay accountable, and develop real skills in leadership and collaboration.”

Pedro Coelho

Founder of Dumagi

“Richard helped us define the direction of our company, structure our digital presence, and build the content that truly reflects who we are today. But his contribution went far beyond strategy. He became a right hand during a pivotal moment and helped turn ideas into action.”

Camille Bouchard

Founder of L.A. Studio

“Working with Richard exceeded my expectations. He custom-designed a system that helped me organize years of business information, clear my mind, and focus on growth. His strategic insights, attentiveness, and energy made a real difference in how I approached expansion and hiring.”

How I work

Simple enough to start, focused enough to change the work.

Step 01

Intro call

45 minutes, on me

We talk through what is on your plate, what feels blocked, and whether I am the right fit for the work ahead.

What you get: You leave with a sharper read on the problem, even if we do not work together.

Step 02

Clarity sprint

2 sessions in about 14 days

We identify the real blockers, stack rank the next moves, and define a practical 90 day focus for you or your team.

What you get: You leave with priorities, decision rules, and a clearer operating rhythm.

Step 03

Momentum rhythm

Weekly or biweekly

We keep the pressure on what matters through focused sessions that help you adjust, decide, and keep momentum.

What you get: You get outside perspective without adding more noise or ceremony.

FAQ

The questions people usually ask first.

You offer a lot of services, why not just focus on one?

My journey has given me a wealth of insights across various disciplines. The services I offer are the ones I’m most passionate about and have honed through experience. By providing a range of services, I can leverage my broad expertise to offer comprehensive, tailored support. Each service empowers clients to tackle their unique challenges and achieve their goals effectively.

How can you ensure that your diverse range of services maintains high quality?

What makes your approach different from other advisory and coaching services?

How have your personal experiences shaped your professional approach?

Perspective strategic advisory

You do not need another consultant. You need someone to think with.

If you have questions, ideas, or want to talk through what feels stuck, let us start with a conversation that gets clearer fast.

Request a free session Send a quick message

Good first topics

What feels noisy, stuck, or overloaded right now.
What you keep circling without making a clean decision.
Where your team or business is losing clarity, energy, or momentum.