“It has been a privilege to work alongside you and to embrace the Scaling Up framework under your expert guidance. Your encouragement and acknowledgment of our progress inspire us to continue striving toward even greater goals.

We are immensely grateful for your partnership and the perspective you’ve brought to Bright!Tax. Together, we’ve built momentum, and I’m excited about what lies ahead.”

Keep inspiring, Herb.

Greg Dewald, Founder Bright!Tax

‘We decided to work with Herb when my company needed to scale to the next level. We had all our processes outlined and had been doing good business for years, but desired to grow in order to better support our team, clients, and business goals.

Since working with Herb, we've started focusing on the aspects of our business that help drive actual results. With a clear plan, we're respecting our shared values, helping support our staff with actual, measurable goals, and have a renewed sense of collaboration amongst our team and clients.

Herb is very personable, reliable, and has the experience necessary to support us in our growth journey. He supports us whether we're doing well or working through a challenging period.

No company is perfect, and we highly recommend Herb to help consult with your company if you've gotten to the point where you know things are going well, but perhaps could be better. If you're curious about growing intentionally for the short and long term, it's worth reaching out to see how Herb can help!’

Patrick Corbett, Co-Founder of Redfin Solutions

"I am very grateful for the powerful impact you and the Scaling Up work have had on us as a business. I can see though that it’s one thing getting concepts academically but the real value for me lies in struggling with effectively soaking it into the business and most importantly people.”

Wayne Spray, Managing Director, Frozen Drinks

As a team, we took the Growth Institute Scaling Up class, run by Herb, which was a great experience and introduction to the realm of possibilities within the Scaling Up process. When trying to implement some initiatives internally, we succeeded, but we didn’t know how effectively. We wanted insight from an expert, and Herb was a great fit. We’ve already grown so much and really been able to set meaningful KPIs and goals while holding everyone accountable and keeping morale high. Herb has led us through meaningful meetings as a coach which has already expedited our Scaling Up journey. Personally, as a member of senior leadership managing a team, Herb has recommended literature that provided guidance that I use every day. He gave insight into tools I didn’t even know existed and led me to have productive discussions with members to get to the point, while also empowering my team. I would recommend Herb to anyone looking to grow their business without a second thought.

Rae Fox Smoltz, Project Manager, Acena Consulting, LLC

"Herb is a straight shooter, get 'er done, but done with heart and purpose, kind of guy. We worked with Herb to implement the Scaling Up system and integrate it into the day-to-day work of our business. His coaching was transformative, helping us move from frenzied to purposeful actions. The fabric of our business has been changed through the wisdom, structure, and discipline that Herb helped us weave into our daily lives. If you're looking for a business coach to help you level up, look no further."

Donloree Hoffman, Director at Truspace and CDI Spaces

“Herb has been coaching myself and Joint CEO Grace Thomson for the last 2 years.

We started working with Herb just after assuming the role of Joint CEOs of a multi-million dollar health care, labour hire agency. This company was my mothers and we assumed the role immediately after her unexpected passing in early 2021. When I began in this role I was still in the midst of grieving the loss, while trying to assimilate to this high responsibility at the age of 24.

To summarise, Herb had his work cut out for him to make me into a CEO while I was still learning the role and re-assimilating to the company I had worked for in years past.

His knowledge of the scaling up methodology is unbeatable, this, combined with years of experience as an executive, personal experience working in family business, his wisdom and his humble way of being has meant that I was protected from many of the natural pitfalls of a new CEO, particularly an inexperienced one.

He always ensures he is available in a crisis, and despite all contact having been from across the world, I’ve never felt that distance. His advice has always been methodical, tested and understated, which is generally how the best advice always comes.

Most of all, I think Herb’s confidence in Grace and I to be great leaders has been in turn, what has made us into the best leaders we can be. He will always challenge us to do better but he is always aware of the demands on a CEO.

His number one desire is to move you as the CEO towards working on the business, and have the systems in place to support this through and through. Every step we’ve taken on this scaling up journey with him has lifted up our company another level. Since we began working with him we have increased business by 200%. I think that speaks for itself.”

Bell Thomson, Joint CEO, Caring For You Nursing Agency

Thank you for all your help this year! We just passed our revenue target for the year and as of today we’re at 19.8% year over year growth on track to clock in slightly above our goal of 20%.’

Ann Westerheim, Ph.D, CEO, Ekaru

‘Herb has been an invaluable mentor to me. He is not only knowledgeable but also incredibly patient. I highly recommend working with Herb if you are fortunate enough to have the opportunity.’

Kevin Roy, CEO GreenBanana

“When I first met Herb, our company was growing, but slowly and not very profitably. And as 50% of our staff is remote, there was a disconnect that needed fixing.

We began working with him a little over a year ago and can only report good things. We are now making a profit, and we are focusing on getting clients who actually are profitable and good to work with. That has made the people happier. We also now are more focused on communication with our staff from the leadership team as well as between them. It has made not only the staff happy, but in turn the clients are much happier as the staff is more attentive to them.

I truly cannot recommend Herb enough. He "gets it" and has even turned some of the management attitudes around! I enjoy working with a coach who is so knowledgeable!”

Sue A. Irwin, Managing Partner, Medical Billing Authority

‘We engaged Herb Cogliano at Aspire Growth Advisors to assist with our Scaling Up Strategic Planning initiatives to help with our growth. Herb has facilitated sessions with our leadership team to help pull out our top priorities and to identify different aspects of our business that we had room for improvement on. Herb has helped us to setup a discipline of accountability within our organization and is a great coach with a perspective that has been invaluable to myself and our team. I highly recommend working with Herb on your strategic initiatives and coaching needs.’

John El-Raheb, CEO Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds

‘As CEO of Datacor, a privately held company from Romania, I began to feel insecure after15 years in business, during the last few years although revenues were growing, and the same for the number of employees (which climbed in short time from 60 to 100 people); I unsuccessfully invested in different Romanian business consulting companies to try to create a new strategy.

Finally, we enrolled in the Scaling Up program - Cohort Edition- with Herb as our Professor and then continued to work with Herb as our Scaling Up Coach. By doing so, we found more answers to our needs in terms of strategic thinking and strategy execution. We have learned how to create more accountability into our organization, how to hire/fire, communication rhythms, etc. We have already noticed that these tools have started to work for us.

Through working with Herb, I’ve learned the difference between management and leadership, Herb teaches many necessary tools to properly run a company. We have started to have more clarity in our actions, we have a functional meeting rhythm, quarterly priorities, and initiatives.

Herb not only brings clarity through his coaching; he also manages to keep us accountable. He brings a kind of peace of mind for us, even when we face tough issues.

I would highly recommend Herb as a Scaling Up coach for others. I believe the ideal type of company who would benefit from working with Herb would be one who has a gap in a proper operating system. Being led by a great coach can make a difference. Go for it! Without any doubt.’

Bogdan Bilegan, CEO Datacor

My company is going through a game changing transformation- literally changing our business model. Herb has been invaluable in teaching and coaching my team and I through many different ways to think and act.’

Erik Frederick, CEO at UNO Restaurants

‘When Herb started coaching us we were distracted, the management team was rowing in different directions and we were at odds as to how to take the business forward. Since working with Herb, the business has changed for the better, we have a clearer focus, we know what we are working towards and we now know how to get there. We have become better at uncovering our constraints and attacking them head on. Our management team has started rowing in the same direction and I am really excited about this next year.

I appreciate how Herb has really helped me in my current Managing Director seat, he has taught me to be more focused on what is important and has made me a better manager of people, he has really strengthened me to talk straight and work to develop people. When Herb is helping with our team meetings, he brings the entire group to the same conclusion – always keeping the main thing, the main thing.

If you are distracted, lacking direction and focus and don’t seem to be getting results, Herb can help you turn that all around to be focused and to get results. He has really helped us bring many individual managers together to be a team of hard working, productive A players.

You won’t regret it, If Herb finds a synergy and he is willing to take you on as his client because he can help you – trust him. He doesn’t take on clients he can’t help.’

Russell Devenish, Managing Director, Truspace Office Design & Construction

We discovered Scaling Up through an associate who had a session with Herb, and so we reached out, and began a journey which has been remarkable and achieved a focus, that otherwise would not have been possible.

From our work with Herb, we have a robust framework, to work within for all areas of our business, and an increased ownership from all team members, of our Core Values and goals.

Herb’s significant personal business experience and extensive skills and deep understanding, enables him to intuitively understand the right support and guidance at each coaching session.

My NPS for Herb, would be a 10. I believe, Herb has so much to offer all sizes of companies, because ultimately one is just focused on a few key people at the senior team level, in order to drive the principles throughout the company. And again, any type, as so much runs horizontal through all businesses, no matter their, size, or type.

You have everything to gain, and nothing to lose, from just taking the first steps. Herb will give you more than you expected, at every session!

Joanne Wilson, COO, Caring For You Nursing Agency

Our business journey has been like climbing Everest. We have been in high-growth mode for some years and we realized that, in order to go to the next level, it was time for us to seek expert guidance. Since engaging with Herb, our revenue growth has tripled! Rather than playing fast and loose as we had traditionally done, we are now operating under appropriate protocols that are essential for us to sustain our growth at scale.

Herb has a remarkable gift for helping us to cut through the clutter and get to the heart of matters that, at first, may seem overwhelming. We have had many ‘stucks’ along the way that, at times, confounded us. Herb, with his depth and breadth of knowledge, is able to guide us – with great kindness and patience – drawing on his expansive, real-world experience. We would enthusiastically recommend Herb to others.

For companies who wish to scale, Herb is like a trusted sherpa – with confidence we literally put our business-life in his hands as he guides us – ever steadily – as we scale our Everest reaching ever greater heights. And the journey has been breathtaking! If you think you can go it alone – perhaps you ought to reconsider. Herb is the ‘essential element’ and coach to guide any organization that is endeavoring to scale.

Greg Dewald, Founder & CEO, Bright!Tax

Our company was first introduced to Herb during a Verne Harnish Scaling Up course. We lacked focus and alignment within our company. Once we began working with Herb, the team felt aligned around the company goals at every level and position in the company, including remote employees. The structure and focus has been a tremendous value. I would recommend Herb to any company looking for a structured system of scaling and an executive coach that brings a wide skillset to the team. Beyond the professional traits he brings, he is an impressive and wonderful human being.

Bill Wilson, President Valor Home Services

I had studied scaling up and needed help with implementation. Herb brought his experience as a certified scaling up coach and successful CEO scaling up practitioner to further help us understand scaling up principles. His guidance and structured executive coaching sessions made it very easy to see our obstacles. Now we have a clear strategy with a strong purpose and a solid plan that supports better execution and clear accountability for our team!

Jamal Mahijibhai, President MSG Staffing

I would highly recommend Herb and Aspire Growth Advisors to any entrepreneur, business owner or company executive tasked with navigating the challenges that come with rapid growth. Over the last six months, Herb has helped our company prioritize and implement the four main components found in Verne Harnish’s book “Scaling Up.” Our coaching sessions have been extremely helpful and effective, and our team has gained tremendous confidence and momentum as we work toward new, exciting and meaningful goals! Thanks again, Herb!!

Mickey Moore CEO Tomo Drug Testing

We started using Herb as a business coach after attending a Scaling Up course that he presented. What attracted us to Herb, after using other coaches in the past, was his direct experience in running a significant business. In scaling up our business we needed “someone like us” – who had been through what we were facing.

Since we have been using Herb, his insights and direction have been instrumental in our business expansion. He is honest, knowledgeable, direct and exactly what we need.

I have no hesitation in recommending Herb to help push your business from a fledgling Start Up to a successful Scale Up.

Michael Barwell, Founder and CEO of Telligence

After participating in the Scaling Up Master Business Course, our team recognized we would need some assistance to effectively implement the Rockefeller Habits. Herb was the primary instructor of the course and we appreciated his style and approach. We found the course to be quite valuable, but working directly with Herb as our coach has turned out to be highly invaluable. Logistics and supply chains are changing rapidly, creating many opportunities for distractions. Herb brings the right level of accountability, focus, discipline, and guidance to prevent us from losing sight of our priorities, keeping the main thing the main thing. He uses his knowledge and experience to challenge our way of thinking, and our results have been very positive and rewarding. Herb is a tremendous asset to our company and our team, and I would highly recommend him to anyone trying to scale their business.

Frank Anderson, CEO, RBW Logistics

Our company was facing many challenges. We could not seem to reach the potential I knew we are capable of. We had managed to implement some of the Scaling Up book concepts and subsequently attended the 2019 Scaling Up Crisis Edition which Herb facilitated. I got to know Herb during the 2019 course, and we naturally reached out to him to get into the good stuff. Herb quickly connected with where we were at and then supported us in mapping a path to the next milestones.

We have had many positive results with the biggest change being my ability to filter through the noise of managing the business and engage my team more effectively. My team is also responding in a way that makes for effective alignment and execution.

I really appreciate how Herb listens with an experienced ear and speaks slowly so I can understand. I absolutely would recommend Herb to others; he is an invaluable source of structured insight. Any business or organization wanting to punch at the next weight class would benefit from his input and I would highly recommend scheduling a free call to see if Scaling Up is the right program for your firm.

Wayne Spray, Managing Director, Frozen Drinks

Emily and I are husband & wife founders and we never had a business coach before Herb. We hesitantly engaged with him as our cashflow was negatively affected by the pandemic and that he seemed so far away, we are based in the Philippines and he is coming from the other side of the world. Looking back, I wish we had him early on in our 15 years leading our company.

Herb has been pivotal in keeping us positive, focused, and disciplined resulting to continuous business growth and positive cash flow in spite of the difficult economic recession. He has mastery of Scaling Up and related tools that he brings out from his bag… like a highly skilled doctor or mechanic. These tools help your company get unstuck and get you moving. He is always very well prepared prior to every coaching session.

What we also love about Herb is that he is a family man, working with his wife Lori. He has gained a ton of first-hand entrepreneurship experience working with his Dad and family. These family values are important as business to us is very personal.

Herb is there to protect you, your people and your business. He will never allow your company to go backwards, ever! Currently, he is fighting with us, in our corner as we journey into achieving our BHAG… and reminding us to also have fun in the process.

Dennis Balajadia, CEO, Dragon Edge

I had the pleasure of participating in a Scaling Up Course for companies and Scaling Up practitioners around the world, with Herb as the lead instructor. Herb is an absolute master when it comes to the Scaling Up methodology. He is incredibly effective at diagnosing and resolving critical issues with a delivery that is warm and soft, yet direct and powerful in purpose. For three months I had the privilege of watching Herb in action, and it is no surprise why he is such a leader in our industry. I am grateful to consider Herb a mentor. If your business is considering working with Herb, I highly recommend you take the next step. You will not be disappointed.

Oliver Gleeson, President, Salient Map Executive Consultancy

Herb is one of the most clear-thinking people I know. I’ve worked with Herb over the past year as our scaling up coach and his guidance is always right on. He clearly cares deeply about helping others, and brings real experience to the table as a repeat INC 5000 CEO. Running a business in IT and cybersecurity with a constantly changing landscape, in addition to all the other challenges of running a business, makes it hard to stay focused on goals, and Herb is always there to help me see the path more clearly. Herb is an absolute pleasure to work with, and an all around great person to know.

Ann Westerheim, CEO, Ekaru

Herb is an ABSOLUTE amazing human. I do not have enough space or words to express how impactful his advice, guidance, and support has been. I highly recommend Herb to business leaders looking to scale, team build, and stand for a positive impact in the world. Proud to know him and lucky to get to work with him.

Jennelle McGrath, CEO, Market Veep

Herb is a trusted business growth advisor, coach and mentor and what we learned in our 2-day planning session was eye-opening. The planning session has given our team empowerment, structure, and direction. It has given us a road map to scale our business and made us think outside of the box. It forced our team to ask questions we have never asked before and it has opened our eyes to building a stronger and more successful company.

I like that Herb helped us think creatively about our business and the guidance to navigate through the OPSP. He is helping our team work on our business while also working in our business. I am certain that we could not have done this without Herb. He knows this system well and is going to be a great partner to our team. I look forward to the months and years ahead.

Dan Fantasia, President, Treeline, Inc.

We run an e-commerce company that is trying to grow quickly. As inexperienced cofounders, we decided to give coaching a shot to keep us on track. From our first meeting with Herb we knew he was the guy to help us get to the next level. With unrelenting optimism and an eye for asking the right questions about our business he has helped our business take off. Since his arrival, we have been laser focused on the activities that matter because of his direction. He holds us accountable every week and shares stories from his experiences as a business leader to give us context when we are faced with a difficult decision. If you are a growing business and want to turbocharge your growth – Herb is your guy to help you do it.

Jack Fallon, Co-Founder, Cross Path Capital, LLC

Herb’s coaching style is to influence others to be greater than they even thought they could be. He asks the right questions and emphatically listens. He then guides us through strategic planning utilizing the Scaling Up growth tools he has mastered. Herb leads us to determine not what we want to do but what we need to do to achieve our goals. Because of Herb we are a more disciplined, collaborative and innovative team achieving year over year success.

Sheila Chapman, EVP, Career Technical Institute