What Success Looks Like
We don’t just build frameworks—we build momentum.
From revitalizing brands to overhauling operational systems, our work is defined by measurable impact and lasting clarity. Explore how we’ve helped growth-stage companies scale with intention, launch new divisions, and bring structure to chaos.
A few stories, a few shifts, a few well-timed pivots—because sometimes the right move is all it takes.
Case Study 1
Blueprint for a Comeback
Rebuilding Systems, Brand, and Momentum in a Legacy Tech Company
Project Summary
At Upcraft Collective, we thrive in moments of reinvention—when the challenge isn’t just about solving problems, but about realigning vision with potential. When a 70-year-old manufacturer of radar products for law enforcement and public safety needed to modernize its operations, elevate its product development strategy, and reintroduce its legacy brand to a shifting marketplace, we were brought in to architect its next chapter.
What began as a short-term consulting engagement quickly evolved into a full-scale leadership role, embedded within every layer of the business. We were tasked with defining strategic direction, relocating and rebuilding manufacturing operations, revitalizing internal systems, and designing a new product roadmap from the ground up.
Our team led cross-functional transformation efforts—streamlining operations, reengineering workflows, and aligning the company’s capabilities with a bold new direction. We built scalable infrastructure, introduced product innovation pipelines, and developed a brand identity that could support future growth across both domestic and international markets. Throughout, we worked closely with stakeholders to ensure that legacy knowledge was preserved while outdated systems gave way to agile, modernized practices.
"This wasn’t a refresh—it was a strategic overhaul, designed to turn a static legacy into a living platform for innovation."
Project Specs & Highlights
Project Type: Strategic Turnaround & Brand Revitalization
Industry: Public Safety Technology / Manufacturing
Location: San Diego, Ca. (National & International Client Base)
Project Duration: Ongoing (Started 2023)
Engagement Level: C-Level Executive Leadership
Business Objective: Modernize infrastructure, reintroduce brand, build scalable product roadmap
Stage of Company: Legacy brand in transition to next-generation growth
Scope of Work: Cross-functional transformation, supply chain reshoring and re-engineering, facility relocation, product innovation
Primary Challenge: Outdated systems, fragmented brand identity, lack of internal alignment across departments and leadership
Team Size / Staff Oversight: 20+ internal team members across engineering, admin, and sales
Budget Range: $1M-$5M annually
Core Services Delivered:
- Operational Restructuring
- Supply Chain Optimization
- Product Launch Planning
- Brand Development
- Sales Forecasting
- Marketing Strategy
Key Partners Engaged: Engineering consultants, channel partners, OEM vendors, international distributors
Key Outcomes:
Relocated and restructured entire manufacturing and operations team within 90 days
Stabilized manufacturing capabilities through implementation of new ERP system
- Built systems to capture warranty, reseller, and service data previously unmanaged
- Developed and launched full 2025 product roadmap and multi-tier marketing plan
Legacy / Impact:
Repositioned the company from stagnant legacy manufacturer to modern innovator
Created the foundation for new vertical market expansion
Recognition:
Positioned to reenter top-tier public safety trade shows and regain competitive market share
Successfully pitched to SBA and investor groups for future growth capital
Key Tasks & Achievements
Directed full relocation of manufacturing facility with zero production downtime
Implemented process documentation across inventory, shipping, and internal operations
Rebuilt accounting and ERP systems, implemented inventory controls, and built custom quote workflows
Introduced team-wide productivity and accountability frameworks
Repositioned company identity with new messaging, tone, and visual strategy
Built 70th anniversary logo and brand campaign from scratch
Designed product naming architecture for future innovation pipeline
Refreshed all company collateral: pitch decks, sell sheets, and marketing materials
Created warranty tracking infrastructure to support long-term service relationships
Designed new web-based forms for end user tracking, order requests, and support tickets
Introduced CRM planning and customer engagement sequences
Led company transition from passive customer service to proactive communication
Hired and developed new manufacturing technicians and engineering professionals; wrote role policies from scratch
Coached existing team on new systems, customer interaction, and cross-functional processes
Facilitated transition of leadership structure between ownership, sales, and operations
Built training templates and onboarding pathways for internal tools
Created 2025 sales forecast with gross margin targets and territory-product segmentation
Developed investor pitch package with financial narrative and capital plan
Built reporting dashboards for sales channels, product performance, and department targets
Reorganized pricing and quoting workflows to improve consistency and margins
Case Study 2
From Concept to Cult Favorite
Building a Hospitality Brand from the Ground Up
Project Summary
At Upcraft Collective, we bring a builder’s mindset to every engagement—something forged in the earliest days of our practice. One of our founding projects involved launching and scaling a full-service hospitality brand, which became the blueprint for how we approach structure, creativity, and operations in perfect balance.
We led the brand from inception through 18 years of growth—developing its identity, building operational systems, and expanding into multiple locations. We didn’t just run a restaurant—we created an immersive experience, designed a company culture, built a loyal customer base, and navigated the complexities of scaling a live, dynamic business in real time.
This hands-on journey shaped how we now guide clients through cross-functional growth. We understand the details of day-to-day operations and the bigger picture required to sustain expansion. The result? A strategic, grounded approach that brings structure to ambition.
"It wasn’t just about food—it was about clarity, consistency, and delivering excellence at scale."
Project Specs & Highlights
Project Type: Start-up
Industry: Hospitality / Food & Beverage
Location: San Diego, Ca.
Project Duration: 18 Years
Engagement Level: Full-Time Leadership
Business Objective: Launch and grow a full-service hospitality brand from concept to multi-location operation
Stage of Company: Start-up to Growth and Maturity
Scope of Work: End-to-End Development and Multiphase Expansion
Primary Challenge: Build market presence, design operational systems from scratch, and sustain long-term growth in a competitive regional landscape
Team Size / Staff Oversight: 200+ employees across 4 locations
Budget Range: $42M+ over lifespan of brand
Core Services Delivered:
- Brand Development
- Operational Infrastructure
- Customer Experience Design
- Strategic Growth and Expansion
- Vendor and Lease Negotiations
- Financial Management and P&L Ownership
Key Partners Engaged: Architects, legal counsel, accounting firms, real estate brokers, kitchen designers, interior design consultants
Key Outcomes:
- Scaled from 1 to 4 locations
- Sustained double-digit revenue growth for over a decade
- Maintained 22% average EBITDA margin at peak
Legacy / Impact:
- Became a beloved regional hospitality brand with cult-like following
Recognition:
- Named Top-50 Hispanic Restaurant in the U.S.
- Featured in regional press, awarded Best Outdoor Dining in multiple publications
- 4.7+ star average on Yelp, Google, OpenTable for over 10 years
Key Tasks & Achievements
- Built and documented full operational systems for hiring, training, inventory, and compliance
- Maintained an average health inspection score of 95%+
- Improved scheduling efficiency and reduced labor waste by 12% through lean workflows
- Assessed and implemented new technologies to optimize ordering, POS, and inventory
- Created the entire brand identity—from naming, logo, and voice to visual and experiential assets
- Oversaw all menu strategy and pricing aligned with brand and financial goals
- Developed unique brand extensions such as private events, retail product line, and live entertainment programming
- Positioned brand for media exposure resulting in over a dozen featured press pieces
- Created immersive dining environments blending architecture, lighting, and sound to tell a story
- Designed customer service standards and culture rooted in warmth, tradition, and hospitality
- Achieved 80%+ repeat guest rate across multiple locations
- Developed a touchpoint audit system to ensure consistent service quality
- Hired and onboarded over 200+ employees
- Designed a leadership development pipeline with internal promotion as a core value
- Maintained <5% turnover rate among senior staff for 5 consecutive years
- Led weekly meetings, one-on-one mentorships, and ongoing training modules
- Managed all P&L operations across 4 units
- Implemented measurable forecasts, tracked variances, and course-corrected with agility
- Negotiated vendor contracts and lease terms with net savings exceeding $175K annually
- Increased average check size through upselling strategies and product mix optimization
- Grew annual gross revenue result to 12MM+
Case Study 3
From The Ground to The Cup
Designing a Vertically Integrated Coffee Brand Across Borders
Project Summary
When a visionary landowner and coffee grower in Veracruz, Mexico, set out to create a seed-to-cup experience that spanned from his family plantation to cafés in the United States, Upcraft Collective was brought in to lead the development effort from concept to infrastructure.
The initial scope focused on a comprehensive U.S. market study, brand positioning strategy, and business model for a series of U.S.-based cafés. After delivering a highly praised market report and five-year financial model, our role expanded rapidly into operations, finance, and organizational strategy across the client’s full ecosystem.
From April to October 2021, we operated on-site as a fractional COO/CFO—leading everything from café launch strategy and local vendor coordination to architectural planning, menu design, staff development, and cash flow planning. We also helped align the company’s board of directors, modernize their plantation operations, and support the development of a luxury boutique hotel on the estate.
"This wasn’t just a coffee project—it was a vertically integrated brand, built from soil to service."
Project Specs & Highlights
Project Type: Multiphase Brand & Operations Development
Industry: Coffee Production, Retail, Hospitality
Location: Veracruz, Mexico + U.S. Market Entry
Project Duration: February 2021 – October 2021
Engagement Level: Fractional COO / CFO
Business Objective: Build a vertically integrated coffee brand with expansion into U.S. markets
Stage of Company: Legacy agricultural operation evolving into retail/hospitality brand
Scope of Work: Market study, retail planning, operational restructuring, financial audit and forecasting
Primary Challenge: Connecting multiple business models (plantation, café, hotel) under a cohesive strategy while navigating international market entry
Team Size / Staff Oversight: Oversight of on-site plantation crew, café team, and executive stakeholders
Budget Range: Undisclosed; privately funded, early-stage investment
Core Services Delivered:
U.S. Market Research & Financial Modeling
Café Concept & Operational Design
On-Site Operations & Supply Chain Advising
Board-Level Strategy & Financial Oversight
Key Partners Engaged:
Legal / Tax Advisors (U.S. + Mexico), Real Estate Brokers, Architects, roasters, equipment vendors
Key Outcomes:
Delivered 5-year U.S. café growth model, marketing plan, and launch strategy
Helped structure local café operations and oversaw first-store opening phase
Provided roadmap for hotel launch and plantation operational upgrades
Legacy / Impact:
Created an actionable blueprint for seed-to-cup brand architecture
Established a foundation that can still be executed independently
Recognition:
- Work was highly praised by board and executive stakeholders throughout engagement
Key Tasks & Achievements
Directed daily operations and short-term strategy for plantation, café, and hotel project
Designed SOPs for café workflow, vendor integration, and inventory
Created scalable systems that tied agricultural timelines to retail execution
Developed U.S. brand positioning based on competitive research and customer profiles
Created café concept story, voice, naming system, and value propositions
Aligned brand visuals and messaging across international touchpoints
Designed service experience and hospitality strategy for local café
Drafted training manuals and service protocols rooted in brand values
Created product and menu mix to reflect both origin and innovation
Facilitated hiring process for initial café team
Built collaborative bridge between plantation crew and café operations
Provided leadership coaching and performance structure for early staff
Delivered five-year financial forecast and market entry cost structure for U.S. expansion
Supported cash flow planning and vendor payment systems in Mexico
Advised board on risk mitigation, phasing strategy, and international legal setup
Imagine What We Could up*Craft Together?
From startups to legacy brands, we don’t just consult—we embed structure, insight, and energy into the heart of your business. Every project is different, but the goal is always the same: clarity, alignment, and forward motion.
If you’re ready to reimagine what’s next, let’s start the conversation.