SBD Ventures

A collection of owned and operated businesses, and strategy and performance advisory

DM Steve

SBD Ventures

A collection of owned and operated businesses, and strategy and performance advisory

DM Steve

I work with executives, heads of investment firms, and tech leaders at startups backed by top-tier investors

Helping high performers make better decisions

Helping high performers make better decisions

2x founder and 3x COO of category-defining companies (3x exits), and former Navy officer – now trusted consigliere to high-growth entrepreneurs and investors

What clients have to say

Sam Youst

Chief Business Officer, NerdWallet

Carson Morell

Managing Partner, Lethal Ventures

“The work Steve does is actionable. He has frameworks and tools he sends me after our sessions. I’m able to take a framework that he has shared, go apply it and see immediate results. He’s helped create an environment in which the other members of our leadership team feel comfortable reaching out to him directly to speak one-on-one on issues they're facing. He has helped everyone on our leadership team become a better leader and manager. There are many coaches out there but not many with the field experience Steve possesses.”

Chris Collins

Founding Partner, First Atlantic

“I brought Steve on as a fresh perspective on some shifts I was making in my life. He has helped me with methodical things such as accountability, delegating, decision-making, managing complex working relationships, holding people accountable, and managing expectations. We work with vast portfolios, so it's helpful to have someone I can relay information to and who can help me think of the best way to respond or how to move.”

Navroop Mitter

Founder, CEO at ArmourText

“As an investor, Steve is supportive, inquisitive, and direct. I can't express how supportive he is of founders and how respectful he is of their time. He's an entrepreneur, a strategist, and a leader who understands the role he has to play to help his portfolio succeed.”

Dennis Cui

VP of Engineering, Decagon

Ryan Soscia

CEO at SEOWeave

“Steve’s insight, wisdom, guidance, experience, and understanding have helped me manage the many personalities, investors, and Board members that I am dealing with on a daily basis. As my performance coach, I often walk into our sessions in a fog and Steve is able to rewire my brain to bring a different level of thinking and clarity.”

Tom Worcester

CEO at Lunchbox

“Steve – just wanted to say how grateful I am for our work together. You’ve been a mentor, a teacher, and a steady source of focus when I needed it most. Most of all, thank you for helping me clarify and materialize the impact I want to make in this world.”

Who I Work With

Who I Work With

Who I Work With

Leaders building and backing high-growth companies;

  • Entrepreneurs navigating the chaos of company building and hyper-growth

  • Executives committed to growing as leaders as fast (or faster) than their company is scaling

  • Investors managing large portfolios and complex dynamics who need clear thinking on difficult conversations and critical decisions

Leaders building and backing high-growth companies;

  • Entrepreneurs navigating the chaos of company building and hyper-growth

  • Executives committed to growing as leaders as fast (or faster) than their company is scaling

  • Investors managing large portfolios and complex dynamics who need clear thinking on difficult conversations and critical decisions

Leaders building and backing high-growth companies;

  • Entrepreneurs navigating the chaos of company building and hyper-growth

  • Executives committed to growing as leaders as fast (or faster) than their company is scaling

  • Investors managing large portfolios and complex dynamics who need clear thinking on difficult conversations and critical decisions

What I Help With

Company Building

Build a business that scales without breaking you

  • Design operating rhythms

  • Hire people who can scale fast

  • Operate at the "right altitude"

  • Communicate vision with relentless clarity

  • Transition from generalists to specialist roles

  • Implement systems that drive accountability

Decision-Making

Improve judgment and ignore the irrelevant

  • Improve clarity and conviction in key decisions

  • Apply mental models and founder heuristics

  • Separate signal from noise

  • Navigate urgent demands while protecting deep work

  • Make better use of your Board, advisors, and mentors

Personal Mastery

Build habits, systems, and focus to perform at your best

  • Learn to subtract, automate, and delegate

  • Design a personal OS that supports deep work & recovery

  • Strengthen your health, sleep, and training routines

  • Grow your network and learnings systems

  • Level up your leadership

Post-Exit Clarity

Find purpose, direction, and identity after the exit

  • Redefine your relationship with time, money, and ambition

  • Design a fulfilling "second mountain"

  • Use your wealth as a tool for freedom

  • Create the next chapter that reflects your purpose and maximizes impact

What You Can Expect

Leadership Assessments

I begin coaching engagements with a leadership assessment. After 3 months, I perform 360 feedback interviews with your Executive team and direct reports.

1:1 Coaching Sessions

My coaching is actionable. I share systems and tools I’ve used to build and scale companies, insights I’ve gathered from other top-performing executives and investors, and conceptual frameworks that help you become better a decision-maker.

24/7 Support

Urgent issues are inevitable, so I support my clients by phone, text, and email 24/7 between sessions.

Founder/Investor Dinners

Exclusive invites to intimate dinners I host nationwide, bringing together a curated group of founders, execs, and investors for real conversations and lasting connections.

Work with Steve

I work with a select group of clients, mostly by referral. DM me to chat

DM Steve

© 2025

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SBD Ventures