Ways to work
Stan Tscherenkow, Private Business Advisor
Stan TscherenkowPrivate Business Advisor

Three ways in. Different weights, same standard.

Every engagement is application-gated. Every engagement starts with the decision, never with a calendar.

Tier 1

Private Engagement

from $2,500

A single focused engagement for one decision or one structural question.

  • Two to four conversations across two to four weeks.
  • No written deliverables. The conversation is the work.
  • Scope defined in the first conversation. Closed when the decision closes.
  • Ideal when one decision has been open and everything else in the business is paused around it.
Apply for Private Engagement
Tier 2

Principal Circle

from $4,500 per month ยท three-month minimum

Recurring outside read for operators making consequential decisions continuously.

  • Two 60 to 90 minute conversations per month.
  • Unscheduled access for structural moments that cannot wait.
  • No written deliverables. The recurring outside read is the work.
  • Ideal for operators in a phase where expensive decisions are landing every month.
Apply for Principal Circle
Tier 3

Operating Partner

by application only

On-site, principal-to-principal. For boards, founding teams, ownership groups, or specific ventures.

  • Scope, cadence, and terms set in the first conversation.
  • Priced against the decision being carried, not against hours.
  • Typical duration two to six months. Closed when the transition closes.
  • For team and board engagements, see boards and teams.
Apply for Operating Partner
What no engagement includes

The honest list.

Serious buyers recognize seriousness in what is excluded.

  • Written deliverables, decks, or reports.
  • Implementation support.
  • Hiring or HR services.
  • Weekly standups or team meetings.
  • Accountability check-ins.
  • Mindset, motivation, or personal development work.
  • Execution management.
What happens after you apply

Three steps. No black box.

  1. You submit the application. Stan reads it personally. Applications are never delegated.
  2. A direct reply within 48 hours. Either a yes with a first-conversation time, a no with an honest reason, or a redirect if a different structure fits better.
  3. The first conversation. Sixty to ninety minutes. Tier assignment happens here, if any.
Questions

Direct answers.

How do I know which tier fits?

Start with the decision. If there is one specific open decision, Private Engagement. If there is a continuous stream of consequential decisions, Principal Circle. If the decision is the room itself, Operating Partner. If unsure, select "Unsure, please advise" on the application.

Are there written deliverables?

No. The conversation is the product. There are no decks, no reports, no frameworks, no homework. If an engagement required a written record, it would be drafted jointly and kept private to the parties.

Is there a minimum term?

Private Engagement is scope-bound, typically two to four weeks. Principal Circle has a three-month minimum. Operating Partner is scoped to the decision, typically two to six months.

How is payment handled?

Invoice against the engagement. Bank transfer standard. No retainers beyond the first period. Refund terms are covered in the engagement letter.

Bring the decision.

Apply