RED ZEBRA STRATEGIES

GROW YOUR SMALL BUSINESS FASTER

The Entrepreneurial Journey

Did you start your company with a grand vision - ready to conquer the world? Then, did the weight of daily responsibilities slowly creep onto center stage, diverting your focus from your passion and impeding your company's growth?

If this sounds familiar, you're in good company. Many business owners discover their entrepreneurial journeys veering into operational quicksand, sleepless nights, and eventually burnout.

Fear not - Red Zebra specializes in strategies that free you from the clutches of operational doom and catapult your growth. Regardless of your company's stage - from start-up to maturity - we guide you to execute the ideal plan at the right moment.

Whether you're on the hunt for your first team member, looking to spice up your product lineup, or itching to explore new markets, Red Zebra Strategies can help.

Buckle up, my entrepreneurial friend. With Red Zebra Strategies, it's not merely about reclaiming your entrepreneurial spark and unlocking your company's potential; it's about transforming your business into the blockbuster you always knew it could be.

Let's paint the town red – or should we say, zebra stripes? Your journey to success just got a whole lot smoother.

Two climbers scaling a mountain
Two climbers scaling a mountain

Working with Us

person standing on rock raising both hands
person standing on rock raising both hands
man in black jacket holding brown box
man in black jacket holding brown box
People doing cartwheels framed by a sunset
People doing cartwheels framed by a sunset
Early Stage
Growth Stage
Mature Stage

Are you ready for your first hire or looking for ways to ramp up revenue?

Let us design a plan that extracts you from the operational minutia and positions your business to hit growth goals and maximize profitability.

Do you have an established team and a desire to scale?

We will design strategies that delve into profitable expansion opportunities, whether that's venturing into new markets, diversifying your offerings, or forging strategic partnerships.

Is your mature business on the hunt for a competitive edge?

Let us assess business capabilities, streamline processes, and enhance operational efficiencies to uncover that lucrative strategic advantage you're seeking.

Businesses, akin to zebras, boast their own distinctive stripes of uniqueness. So, bid farewell to one-size-fits-all solutions and pre-recorded programs. Our focus is squarely on crafting personalized strategies that deliver sustainable results for your business.

We also customize our approach based on your business's stage of growth, as an early-stage company will need a quite different strategy than a mature company.

One More Thing...

Tired of consulting programs that resemble confusing cell phone contracts - packed with long-term commitments and unnecessary extras?

Same here! You won't find that nonsense at Red Zebra Strategies.

Consulting is an investment in your company, and our commitment is to deliver value and a return on that investment. We provide our services on a project basis. You know the investment up front. No surprise bills, forced commitments, or overpriced one-size-fits-all packages.

But before diving in, we want to ensure we're the perfect fit for your needs. That's why your first call is on the house. It's an opportunity to get acquainted, explore compatibility, and see if we're the right solution for you.

And don't just take our word for it – check out our satisfied clients. They seem to really like us. It's what happens when you focus on the fundamentals - like profitability and results.

We also tailor how we engage you. Whether it's dynamic consulting sessions for you and your team, personalized 1-on-1 sessions, or engaging workshops with your staff – we adapt to your needs. Our goal is to collaboratively select the approach that ensures maximum value.

Our Clients

four person hands wrap around shoulders while looking at sunset
four person hands wrap around shoulders while looking at sunset

“Gina has an amazing capacity to draw ideas and insights from clients that they didn’t know they had. To me, this is the epitome of great consulting because her expertise is there to scaffold the client, not confine them. She makes it easy and safe to explore barriers and opportunities and is able to coach to the highest strategy levels and the most practical personal application simultaneously. Some of the best coaching I’ve ever had.”

- Katherine Steen, M. Ed. , Director of Colliers University

Woman standing with her arms out on a balcony overlooking a mountain range
Woman standing with her arms out on a balcony overlooking a mountain range

“I have been working with Gina for a year now, and I would say that of all the things she’s taught me her greatest gift has been “clarity” – clarity around my time and how I spend it, clarity around what’s important for my business and why, clarity around from where my profits are coming, clarity around where I should focus my efforts, and clarity around my customers (who to keep and who to let go). Her methods are clearly paying off ~ I’m thrilled with a 42% increase in business since we first met. Thanks to Gina, I’ve replaced that well-worn phrase “I’m so busy” with one that fits me better: “I’m so successful!”

– Terrie Gillett, Owner of Notary San Rafael

“It is hard for me to know where to begin praising Gina Danford. My only hesitation is that if everyone were to understand how profoundly clarifying and impactful her assistance is, she would no longer have time to pick up the phone when I need her guidance. If there has been one critical game-changer in my development over the past several years it has been Gina’s expert guidance. Whatever challenges I have brought to Gina, whether about strategic business questions, leadership or personal development hurdles, organizational principles, branding and messaging, communicating, team building, or simply thinking something through in a principled and clear way,

Gina has always had profoundly clarifying and helpful tools and wisdom to share with me. She presents her insights in a way that is clear, easy to understand and retain, practical, and immediately actionable — and that is always enjoyable, edifying, and uplifting. She is a truly generous and wise person, and she expresses a rare and infectious kindness in all that she does. I am deeply grateful for her support.”

– Josh Godine, President of The Pristine Mind Foundation

group of cyclists biking through the desert
group of cyclists biking through the desert

“I’ve just completed a two-day workshop with Gina. She is fantastic. She leads from an instinctual space that gives everyone a high confidence level in the concepts and ideas presented. I learned additional insights because of her approach, clarity and command of the material. I also think her significant experience in the formulation of the material created a very successful training event for all involved. I would welcome any opportunity to work with Gina again in the future!”

– Bob Mulhern, Managing Director of Colliers International

"Gina is an extraordinary professional. She is always enthusiastic and provides exceptional service tailored to the needs of a wide variety of businesses and individuals wanting to grow. My many experiences with Gina were incredibly rewarding and I came away a much better person as a result. This is someone you should know.”

– Stephen Nostrand, Chief Executive Officer of Colliers International South Florida

silhouette of person using boat
silhouette of person using boat
woman in white dress sitting on swing
woman in white dress sitting on swing

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Gina over the last seven months on creating a roadmap for my image and color consulting business. I find her approach to be professional, knowledgeable, and comprehensive. She has guided me through pricing strategies, market positioning, and an analysis of my competition. She recognized my business style and customized the work we did together for maximum results. Gina has a wealth of business experience and a passion for helping business owners get from here to there!”

– Jenny Bailey, Founder of JLB Style

selective focus photography of green succulent plant
selective focus photography of green succulent plant

"I have had the distinct pleasure of working with Gina in various capacities since 2000. Our paths first crossed when she initially took on the role of Marketing Director at ASO.com, an online aircraft listing service. She impressively elevated the ASO's brand visibility and market presence, succeeding where several other marketing people failed.

Most recently, Gina has provided meaningful influence as my professional consultant. With her unique blend of strategic acumen and hands-on expertise, she adeptly clarified Blendery’s position and guided its direction. She played a crucial role in launching my blog, Purposeful Architect. Her ability to seamlessly navigate between roles, from a high-level strategist to a meticulous blog editor, testifies to her multifaceted skill set.

Gina brings a wealth of experience, an innovative mindset, and an unwavering dedication that transcends expectations. I give her my highest recommendation for businesses seeking a transformative partnership to execute an ambitious vision."

- Richard Cunningham, CEO of Blendery, Inc.

man in black jacket standing on rock mountain during daytime
man in black jacket standing on rock mountain during daytime

About Us

Established in 2013 and nestled in the picturesque San Francisco Bay Area, Red Zebra Strategies is a boutique firm dedicated to business growth. With a deep-rooted commitment to your success, we provide consulting services designed to empower you to thrive in the dynamic business landscape.

As part of an elite group of consulting experts, Red Zebra taps into a vast network of skilled professionals. This unique setup enables us to curate the dream team for each client, tailored with precision. We champion collaboration, harnessing collective knowledge to deliver exceptional results. You'll also see that we don't take ourselves too seriously.

At Red Zebra Strategies, we believe that growth is just the beginning. Get ready to embrace the possibilities, have some fun, and elevate your success with us at your side.

Our Staff

Gina Danford

Founder and President

photo of Gina Danfordphoto of Gina Danford
small black and white fluffy dog wearing a red bowtie small black and white fluffy dog wearing a red bowtie
small fluffy black and brown dog sleeping on a blue pillowsmall fluffy black and brown dog sleeping on a blue pillow
small wiry brown and black dog wearing a plaid bowtie small wiry brown and black dog wearing a plaid bowtie
Tuxedo Ted, "Tux"

Feline and Squirrel Patrol Officer

Pippa

Naps and Relaxation Officer

Harrison Danford, "Harry"

Head of Barketing

The Red Zebra

Our Namesake