Founder-Led Brands

About CPCO consulting – For Founder-Led Brands

I help founder-led consumer brands grow from “we’ve proven it works” to “we know how to scale it.”

I’m Chris Parkhurst, founder of CPCO consulting. My background is in consumer products—especially outdoor, action sports, lifestyle, and sporting goods—where I’ve led teams through new growth phases, channel expansion, and operational change.

I’ve held executive roles including CMO, COO, and Senior Executive Vice President, with responsibility for businesses from $40M to $350M+ in revenue, selling across North America, Europe, and the Pacific Rim.

When founders typically reach out

  • Your growth is outpacing your structure, and the team is feeling the strain

  • You’re expanding from DTC into wholesale/retail/marketplaces, or vice versa

  • You need to focus your brand and product story, not just add more tactics

  • You’re making first senior leadership hires and want to set them up for success

How I help

I work with founders to:

  • Clarify positioning and proposition so customers quickly understand your value

  • Prioritize the right channels and partners for your stage and category

  • Design practical operating rhythms—planning, metrics and cadences that fit the team you have

  • Align people, structure, and roles so critical work gets done and leaders can lead

Ways to work together

  • As a fractional CMO / COO, taking executive ownership of a defined agenda

  • As a strategic advisor and coach to you and your leadership team

  • On focused projects such as channel strategy, portfolio rationalization, or preparing for capital

My goal is to help you scale in a way that strengthens your brand, deepens customer connection, and builds a business you’re proud to lead.