Trail to Bankable: Wilderness Survival for Entrepreneurs
Survival Strategies for the Entrepreneur with Fred Houck, MBAYou didn’t start your business to break your leg two hundred yards into the wilderness.
But most founders do exactly that — they launch with enthusiasm, then run out of cash, hit an unexpected storm, or make a hasty decision that costs them months (or the whole company).
I’ve spent 25+ years in private finance and as a Commercial Banker (Merrill Lynch, Umpqua, Wells Fargo, Bank of Whitman) financing hundreds of real businesses. I’ve seen what keeps them alive and what kills them.
Now I’m turning that experience — plus the same wilderness survival principles I grew up with — into private coaching for early-stage founders who want to do it right the first time.
What You Get30-minute initial strategy call focused exactly on the five principles in my book Trail to Bankable: Wilderness Survival for Entrepreneurs:Think – Stop-and-think frameworks for emergencies (panic kills businesses faster than any competitor)Fire (Knowledge & Experience) – Honest capability assessment so you don’t walk into terrain you’re not ready forWater (Capital) – Proforma building, realistic runway planning, and capital reserves that actually protect you
Shelter (Sales & Market Position) – Building a defensible position before you need itExecute – Turning the plan into disciplined action without burning through your resourcesEach call is private, no-judgment, and 100% tailored to where you are right now. You walk away with clear, actionable steps you can use immediately, or continue on with me as your Guide! Guaranteed an adventure.
*********************************************************************************
Two Ways to Get Started after your initial 30 minute call:1. Single Strategy Session for $497
A 60-minute call with Fred Houck2. Graduate Your Business Package (recommended)
4 sessions for $1,997 (save $991)
"Most founders who take the full package finish with a completed proforma, a 3–5 year capitalization plan, and the confidence they’re no longer guessing."
*********************************************************************************
Who This Is For:1. Aspiring entrepreneurs with an idea who want to launch without the usual “break your leg” mistakes
2. Early-stage founders (0–3 years in) who are hitting cash-flow crunches, scaling walls, or realizing their original plan needs fixing
3. Anyone who wants a commercialized, bankable company — not just a side hustle that survives on hopeWho This Is NOT For:
Weekend warriors looking for get-rich-quick advice or people unwilling to do the real planning work.
*********************************************************************************My Promise
If after our first call you don’t feel the session was worth every penny, I’ll refund you in full — no questions asked. I only want to work with founders who are serious about graduating their business the right way.
************************
Ready to stop guessing and start building with a clear map and enough capital to survive the storms?Book Your First Session Now below →Fred Houck, MBA | Commercial Banker/Private Financier • Wilderness Survival Expert • Author of "Graduating Your Business"
Cell: 509-385-3224 | [email protected]