About John Flanagan
Experts by Design is not a large consulting firm. It is a personalized, one-on-one engagement where I work directly with you. Whether you are an early-stage startup, a growing small business, or a company adjusting post-acquisition, my goal is to help you build a business that works for you, not the other way around.
From an early age, I have been building businesses that scale, evolve, and adapt over time. What started as small entrepreneurial ventures grew into a portfolio of businesses spanning media, technology, and consulting. At 31, I sold my government website business to a privately held software company, where I continued in an executive role. When the company was later acquired by private equity, I formally joined the executive leadership team, overseeing significant growth within my division, achieving 100% year-over-year client retention, and scaling our client base sixfold over five years.
Through these experiences, I have learned what it takes to turn an idea into a thriving business. I have also learned that perpetual growth does not always need to be the goal. Many business owners feel pressure to expand, but growth should be intentional, not reactive. There is value in a small business staying small if that best serves the owner, employees, and customers. Some companies thrive by maintaining a strong, self-sustaining foundation, while others, especially those in high-growth environments like private equity acquisitions, must scale rapidly. The key is knowing which path is right for your business and ensuring that your operations can support it.
Many business owners are experts in their craft but struggle with turning their expertise into a scalable, well-structured business. That is where I come in. My role is to bridge the gap between skill and strategy—helping business owners refine their operations, establish clear processes, and create a sustainable foundation for success.
That philosophy is what led me to launch Experts by Design. I work directly with business owners, providing one-on-one consulting and coaching to help them structure and refine their operations while setting long-term goals that align with their growth plans. Operations are the backbone of any business. When they are strong, everything else follows. A well-designed operational framework enables businesses to scale efficiently, onboard employees seamlessly, and deliver exceptional customer experiences. More importantly, it prevents issues before they arise.
I take a strategic, hands-on approach to consulting. My role is to provide clarity, structure, and a roadmap for business owners who are too deep in the day-to-day to see opportunities for improvement. Whether the goal is long-term stability or aggressive expansion, I help ensure that businesses are not just growing but operating efficiently and effectively.