As M. Allen has its fifth anniversary on April 1, 2025, it’s a natural moment to pause and reflect on the journey thus far. Five years of steering a veteran-owned management consultancy through the dynamic landscape of B2B growth—particularly in residential finance and fintech—offers a wealth of lessons. These insights, born from hands-on experience, strategic pivots, and client successes, illuminate the path we’ve carved and the principles that will guide us forward. Here’s a look at the key lessons learned as M. Allen turns five.

One of the most profound realizations has been the power of alignment. In a world where sales cycles have stretched by 20% and only 25% of reps meet quotas, as noted in our latest brochure, the disconnect between sales and marketing can be a silent killer of growth. Our work with clients, like the fintech company we propelled to a 22% revenue increase in just six months, underscores that aligned teams don’t just perform better—they accelerate progress. Companies with synchronized efforts see 19% faster revenue growth, a statistic we’ve witnessed come to life through tailored strategies and cross-departmental collaboration. The lesson? Success hinges on breaking silos and fostering a unified front, something we’ve embedded into offerings like the Enterprise Excellence package.

Another critical takeaway is the necessity of adaptability in the face of rising costs and shifting market realities. With sales and marketing expenses ballooning by 68% from 2020 to 2023 while median revenue growth halved, the old playbook no longer suffices. Our ability to reduce sales expenses by over $1 million for a client while expanding coverage by 45% taught us that efficiency isn’t about cutting corners—it’s about precision. Whether through data-driven lead scoring in our Growth Accelerator or process optimization via Lean/Six Sigma in Operational Excellence Transformation, we’ve learned to do more with less, turning constraints into opportunities.

Relationships, too, have proven to be the bedrock of sustainable growth. The Rain Maker Package’s emphasis on a structured relationship management framework reflects a truth we’ve internalized: business development isn’t just about closing deals—it’s about building trust. Testimonials from clients and partners highlight my ability to connect, listen, and deliver, a skill honed over years as a Chief Revenue Officer and Navy combat veteran. This personal touch—evident in a $200M opportunity pipeline across 400+ accounts—reminds us that in a digital age, human connection remains a differentiator.

Perhaps the most humbling lesson is the value of resilience. Leading M. Allen through economic turbulence, evolving client needs, and the pressure to deliver breakthrough results has mirrored the grit required in combat. The 48% month-over-month revenue spike we achieved for a national title company didn’t come from luck—it came from relentless focus and strategic iteration. Resilience, paired with a willingness to learn from every setback, has been our fuel.

Finally, we’ve learned that success is personal. My commitment—“To me, your success is personal. You’re not in this alone”—isn’t just a tagline; it’s the ethos driving M. Allen. Every consultation, every strategy session, every workshop is a chance to empower clients to surpass their goals. Five years in, this mission feels more vital than ever.

As M. Allen turns five, these lessons—alignment, adaptability, relationships, resilience, and a personal stake in client success—form the foundation of our next chapter. They’ve shaped a practice that doesn’t just consult but transforms, delivering over $200M in new revenue opportunities and counting. Here’s to the road ahead, where growth isn’t just a goal—it’s an action we live every day.

Thank you to all of our 36 institutional clients and stakeholders these last five years and here is to the next five! 

For more on our journey and offerings, visit https://matthew-slonaker.mykajabi.com/growth-in-action-with-m-allen-llc.