CEO Works Luncheon | Pivoting: From SMB Clients to Fortune 500

CEO Works is a peer-to-peer private group wherein advice always comes from like-minded people solving real problems and with experience in similar situations. Come make new connections and learn from the best. CEO Works events typically start and end with approximately 15-20 minutes of networking and include either a presentation or discussion in between.

Presentation Description

How do you go from building a website for a diner down the street to a client roster that included Google, Salesforce, and the U.S. State Department? Soon after he and his partner started a web development firm, Feras Alhlou realized that the industry was becoming commoditized. At the same time, he was witnessing the response to the web analytics dashboards that he and his team were originally providing just as an add-on to their main service. Each data point proved to be a revelation. Clients were amazed and delighted. The firm's decision to cut away from general web design and specialize in analytics ultimately fueled their trajectory from the website for the diner to enterprise-level implementations for high- profile clients. Similar pivots were critical for the success of Feras's six other ventures.

In this session, participants will learn how early-stage businesses can recognize when a pivot is needed for survival and how later-stage founders must stay alert and nimble for growth opportunities beyond their primary business focus.

Here are three key takeaways for founders from this topic:

1. Recognizing When to Pivot – Founders must stay aware of industry shifts and customer responses to identify when their current business model is becoming commoditized. Being open to change can uncover new, high-value opportunities.
2. Leveraging Unique Strengths – Success often comes from doubling down on what clients find most valuable. In this case, focusing on analytics rather than general web development allowed Feras’s firm to differentiate itself and attract major clients.
3. Continuous Adaptation for Growth – Pivoting isn’t just for early-stage survival; even later-stage founders need to remain agile and open to new opportunities beyond their initial business focus to scale and sustain long-term success.

About the Presenter

Feras Alhlou (pronounced FERRIS AL-HUH-LOO) is a seasoned entrepreneur who has founded and scaled 7 businesses, including an 8-figure digital marketing consultancy that he sold in 2019 to global media giant dentsu. As a 4th-degree black belt in Aikido, Feras applies a disciplined martial arts mindset to all personal and professional endeavors.

With his current venture, Start Up With Feras, he’s on a mission to help entrepreneurs in the consulting and services space build smarter, stronger businesses. Previous clients include Google, Salesforce, American Red Cross, and more. Feras has traveled the globe, inspiring audiences with his expertise in business and entrepreneurship. When not speaking, developing content, or mentoring entrepreneurs, he enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, listening to audiobooks, practicing at the Aikido dojo, or volunteering.

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Host or Publisher Santa Cruz Works