Alias Advising
Alias Advisory
An experienced beverage operator on call for the moments that decide whether a project succeeds or stalls — the 30-minute call before a six-figure decision, the introduction that opens the right door, the gut check you cannot get from a generalist. Metered scope, capped each month, designed so both sides know exactly what is included.
What this is
Alias Advisory is a metered, on-call engagement.
You are doing the work. I am in your corner for the moments that actually matter: the call before a bad decision, the introduction that opens the right door, the gut check you cannot get from someone who does not know this industry.
This is not a fractional executive role. I am not in your stand-ups. I am not in your team meetings. I am not on calls with your vendors. I am available through the specific channels and caps spelled out below.
Who it’s for
This is for you if
- You have already validated the idea and you are building it yourself, but you have hit enough moments where you wished you had someone who has actually done this — not a generalist, not a mentor, not a search engine — to tell you what you are missing.
- You do not need full operational support but want an expert on call for specific moments.
- You recognize the value of a 30-minute sanity check before a six-figure decision.
- You are comfortable driving your own execution.
Not the right fit if
- You need ongoing operational support week over week. That is Alias Production.
- You are at concept stage and need a defensible go/no-go before committing capital. That is the Alias Pilot.
- You want me to draft documents, attend your team calls, or act in a fractional executive capacity. Different scope, different price.
What you get each month
Alias Advisory is metered. Each month includes the following, capped strictly.
| Category | Monthly cap | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled working session | 1 × 60 min | Booked in advance. Agenda set at least 48 hours before the call. |
| Asynchronous review | Up to 60 min | Email questions, document reviews, voice memos. Time tracked. No rollover. |
| Partner introductions | Up to 2 | Manufacturers, flavor houses, suppliers, distributors, or other industry connections. Routed when relevant to your active work. |
| Response time on inbound questions | 48 hours, Mon–Fri | Same-day or after-hours response not included. |
What gets returned: short, direct answers; structured feedback on documents or questions you send me; or a clear “this needs more depth than the Advisory scope covers” if a topic exceeds what fits.
If a question is going to require more than the time available in the async cap, I will flag it before spending the time. You decide whether to use the time, defer the question to the next month’s call, or escalate the scope.
What is not included
Setting these boundaries up front so we are aligned. The following are expressly outside the Advisory scope.
- I do not draft documents for you. I review what you send.
- I am not on your vendor, supplier, or co-packer calls.
- Investor prep and fundraising support are outside this scope.
- Multi-stakeholder meetings — board, team, partners — are not included, although up to one additional team member is welcome on the monthly call.
- I am not acting in a fractional capacity. If that is what you need, that is a different conversation.
If something comes up that sits outside this list, I will tell you before spending the time.
How it works
Scheduling the monthly call
You will have a standing booking link to schedule your monthly working session. Book a slot, send an agenda at least 48 hours in advance, and we will use the time efficiently.
Submitting async questions
Email me at adam@aliasadvising.com. Include the question, any relevant context, and what you have already considered. Response within 48 hours, Monday through Friday. Time spent on each response counts against the monthly async cap.
How to submit: one question, or a tightly related set, per email; the specific decision you are facing; and what you have already considered or tried. Vague, multi-part, or open-ended emails may be returned for tightening, so your async minutes go toward answers rather than back-and-forth.
Requesting introductions
Submit introduction requests by email. Include the partner type you are looking for, your stage, and what you have already done. I will route a relevant introduction within one week, when applicable. Up to two introductions per month.
Time tracking
I keep informal track of monthly time usage and will flag if you are approaching the cap. Unused time does not roll over to the next month.
If you need more
If you find yourself hitting the cap regularly, that is a signal to consider the Pilot or the full retainer. I will flag it on my side too. There is no judgment in upgrading — the Advisory scope simply is not built to absorb growing demand.
Pricing and terms
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Monthly fee | $1,000 |
| Minimum commitment | Six months |
| Billing | Monthly in advance, due the first business day of each month |
| Prepay option | $5,400 paid in full upfront — a $600 saving versus monthly billing |
| After initial term | Continues month to month; 30 days’ written notice to terminate |
| Unused monthly time | Does not roll over |
| Refunds | No refunds for partial months |
When to upgrade
The Advisory scope is intentionally focused. Honest indicators that you need more than it offers:
- You are hitting the monthly time cap before mid-month, two months in a row.
- A specific large decision is coming up — formulation lock, co-packer selection, first commercial run — that needs more depth than monthly access provides.
- You have a discrete project that fits the Pilot’s eight-week structure better than a monthly cadence.
- You need sustained operational involvement: someone in the room for production planning, vendor coordination, or distribution rollout. That is Alias Production.
If any of these come up, I will say so. You decide whether to upgrade or stay where you are. The Advisory scope is not designed to grow into a full retainer through scope creep — it is designed to be a clear-eyed entry point, or a long-term low-touch arrangement, whichever fits.
Common questions
What happens if I have an urgent question between monthly calls?
Email me. Response within 48 hours, Monday through Friday. If it is genuinely urgent and time-sensitive, that is usually a signal that the Advisory scope is not the right fit for the work involved.
Can I bank unused time and use it later?
No. The monthly time does not roll over. The structure is designed to keep both sides honest about cadence and value.
What if I need a longer call one month?
The monthly call is 60 minutes. If a topic needs more depth, we discuss whether it warrants a one-time scope expansion, billed separately, or a move to the Pilot or the retainer.
Can my co-founder or team join the call?
Yes — up to one additional team member is welcome on the monthly call. Multi-stakeholder calls beyond that are not covered by the Advisory scope.
Can I prepay the six months?
Yes. Full prepayment is $5,400 upfront, a $600 saving versus the monthly $1,000. Just let me know when you sign up.
What if I want to cancel before the six months are up?
The six-month minimum is a firm commitment. The structure only works if both sides commit to the term so the cadence can actually do its job. If circumstances change drastically, we talk.
How do I get started?
Email adam@aliasadvising.com. Once we confirm fit, I will send a contract and the first month’s invoice.
Ready to start?
If you are building something on your own and you want an experienced operator on hand for the moments that actually move the needle, let’s talk.
Or call 515-729-3820.