Beyond One-Size-Fits-All: Inside Emily Spellerberg's Approach to Business Transformation

Diving deep into the world of business transformation, our latest Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur Spotlight features Emily Spellerberg, founder of Emily Spellerberg Consulting. With her strategic approach to helping small and medium-sized businesses optimize their operations, Emily has carved out a niche providing tailored solutions that drive sustainable growth. After transitioning from a corporate healthcare leadership role, she now helps clients implement effective systems, from strategic planning to technology optimization. Her client-first philosophy and commitment to customization make her insights particularly valuable for businesses looking to scale with intention and purpose.

Hi, Emily! Thanks for joining us today. Tell us about your business. Who do you serve, how do you serve them, and what's the impact that your business and work makes?

Emily Spellerberg Consulting provides custom business and marketing consulting services for small-to-medium-sized businesses. We specialize in helping businesses design and implement the systems they need to achieve sustainable success. This includes strategic planning, organizational structure, role definition, process improvement, and technology optimization. Our approach is never one-size-fits-all—we work closely with each client to develop solutions tailored to their unique challenges, culture, and goals. The result? Businesses that operate more efficiently, scale more effectively and grow with intention.

Tell us about the moment you finally felt like you went from wantrepreneur to entrepreneur.

It started during my year off after leaving my corporate job. An acquaintance reached out for help with their real estate brokerage—they were originally looking for a full-time CEO or COO. Since I was committed to NOT taking on another full-time role for at least a year, we landed on a contract arrangement instead. About six months into that engagement, I realized I loved this work. More than that, I saw how much value I could bring to businesses through consulting. That’s when it clicked—I wasn’t just filling a temporary gap; I was building something of my own.

Describe the moment or period in your life/career that motivated you to make the entrepreneurial leap.

In my previous role at a large healthcare organization, I was leading major departmental changes, including bringing in-house work that had always been outsourced. When asked if I believed our team could take on the challenge, I didn’t hesitate—I bet on our team (and myself) 100%. That moment of unwavering confidence stayed with me. When I left that role and had to decide what was next, I knew I would make that same bet on myself. Entrepreneurship wasn’t just an option—it was the right path forward.

Describe a tool, service, or software that has been a game-changer for your business. How does it contribute to your success?

While it’s been more of a game-changer for my clients than for my own business, implementing a well-structured CRM system has had a massive impact. The right CRM—used with a clear strategy—can centralize critical data, streamline sales and marketing efforts, and provide invaluable tracking and measurement capabilities. For businesses ready to scale, a robust CRM isn’t just helpful; it’s essential.

We know that success is very often a non-linear path. Tell us about a failure, pivot point, or lesson that changed your course or direction and helped to get you where you are today.

One lesson I’m continuously learning is that I cannot care more about a business than its owner or executive team. I naturally see opportunities, get passionate about the possibilities, and sometimes feel personally responsible for making things happen. But at the end of the day, it’s up to the business owner to decide what actions align with their vision and priorities. My role is to guide, support, and strategize—not to force a direction they aren’t ready to take.

What unconventional strategy did you employ that significantly impacted your business?

The most unconventional (or maybe ironic) thing about my business is that we truly offer custom solutions for every client. I have yet to repeat a strategy or deliverable because each client’s situation, needs, and culture are different. This might seem counterintuitive, especially when I advise clients on scalability—where standardization of processes, pricing, and proposals is key. But for my business, flexibility and adaptability are the differentiators that set us apart.

What’s something you wish you knew sooner that you’d give as advice for aspiring or newer entrepreneurs?

Build your support and referral network alongside your sales pipeline. Too many entrepreneurs focus only on selling their services without investing in the relationships that can sustain their business long-term. A strong network not only opens doors to new opportunities but also provides mentorship, collaboration, and credibility that pay dividends as you grow and scale.

Want to dive deeper into Emily's work? Find more info in the links below!

• Connect with Emily on LinkedIn: Emily Spellerberg
• Follow Emily Spellerberg Consulting on LinkedIn