Reach your
audience &
increase
your sales

Are your being pushed for more leads
but don’t have time to learn all the various digital tools?
Busy manager
who we are

As a consulting agency,
we simplify your life.

Finding time and internal expertise is a struggle. Often there isn’t enough of either. If you try to hire for help, you only get a piece of the overall skills you need. Like so many of us in leadership, it’s not a question of whether you could figure something out, the problem is when...there is never enough time and you can’t do it all on your own.

As a consulting agency with a history of serving
manufacturing companies, we specialize in:

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Marketing

From PhD level researchers to SEO gurus, engineers writing content to top-notch designers, we got you covered.
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Operations

Our intent is to be a fresh set of eyes, seeing the things that you would only see when you walk into someone else’s shop. Your utility man!
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Engineering

Having lived in each seat of the engineering process, we have a unique understanding of how the elements work together to help drive projects.
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Sales

Forecast this quarter? New channel partners overseas? Increasing qualified leads? Growing revenue this year? Often the answers are as simple as accessing the right data or networks. It's time to hire your stat guru!
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Sales

Forecast this quarter? New channel partners overseas? Increasing qualified leads? Growing revenue this year? Often the answers are as simple as accessing the right data or networks. It’s time to hire your data guru!
What's in it for you

Key Benefits

Freeing up your time and helping you grow your business is what it’s all about. We’ll remove the distractions, drive things forward, and bring clarity to your decisions with best-in-class tools and market intel. Unburdened, confident, excited, and less stressed, that’s the world we strive to give our customers.

Man leaning back smiling
The Next Step on laptop
Check out

our story

The Next Step Inc. was founded in 2015 after experiencing the challenges of running a small business firsthand. It began with a simple notion that so much of what small business leaders have to deal with is much harder than it should be. We set out to take on the challenges that small business leaders, specifically in the manufacturing space, couldn’t tackle either due to time constraints or lack of internal expertise.

What Makes Us Unique

Time to clarify

THE PROCESS

Our goal is to keep it simple. We work together with you to ensure we understand the core value of the company and the offering to the customer. With that, we map the elements and metrics to define success. Then we execute!

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FILL OUT YOUR CONTRACT FORM

Start by filling out a form and letting us know your company values, your offers to your customer, and your vision.
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GET A FREE CONSULTATION

We'll meet to talk over your goals. Then, we will discuss the best way to tackle the tasks you bring our way.
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Build a Business Plan

We will take your goals and turn them into steps and recommendations for success. We will run the plan past you and refine it.
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Map Out Timelines and Deliver

Finally we will set objectives in order to implement your vision efficiently, and execute the plan.
testimonials

What our clients say

We have a history of making other business leaders' lives easier. From manufacturing to marketing, our clients have achieved their visions and grown their business with our help. Hear their story and take your business goals to the next step.

TONY NORRIS

I started working with The Next Step Inc. as I was entering a new company and new role.  Their understanding of the markets and ability to map out what buyers are thinking was critical for me to get up to speed quickly.  It’s great to have a metric focused marketing firm that is always pushing to drive value and uses the data to bring clarity to where we need to put our resources.  I have really been impressed and enjoyed working with them.

TONY NORRIS

VP Sales and Marketing, Lion Precision
STEVE SOWADA

I worked with Jeff and his team to build out our first Google Ad campaign. We hadn’t done one before and their team was able to do the heavy lifting. They understood my market and products, mapped out the forms, built the content, and launched the campaign. Within a few weeks the new ad was driving 25% of our website traffic with one ad! I didn’t need to write content, project manage or really get involved. This is the way a marketing firm should work.

STEVE SOWADA

VP Sales & Marketing, Motion Tech Automation
DAVID KENSINGER

I was given Jeff’s name as a recommendation from a friend.  The front-end assessment of our business and market helped align our team quickly.  Within a matter of a week, they built out the highly professional content with a clear value proposition message. They helped us focus on a few key materials that would drive value in the sales process. The Next Step team managed everything so I didn’t have to, and also were able to get grant money in the process to help pay for the efforts.

DAVID KENSINGER

President, Tower Solutions
JOHN GETTER

I sat down with Jeff to talk about building a new website for my business. He quickly assessed that before we could build anything, let’s first go work on selling a system so that we could understand what was actually needed to market the product. His approach of finding the key elements to close business was impressive, and I enjoy working with someone who understands the technical nature of my product.

JOHN GETTER

Owner, Can Cyclor
JAMES WERLER

Jeff was hired on a consultant basis and got busy. 6 weeks down the path, we now own a clear vision and template for New Product Development predicated on market data. This guy is 110% devoted to the science of business and product development.

JAMES WERLER

President, Chemstar Products Company
DENNIS STOFFELS

We have been working with Jeff at The Next Step for about two months and we have made more progress than over the last 5 years. He was able to come in and work with our Team and create systems to eliminate wasted time and effort. He was also good at working with the different personalities involved and uncovers the underlying issues. I would highly recommend him.

DENNIS STOFFELS

Owner, Ursa Major
KIRBY SNEEN

Jeff has served as a board member for Manufacturers Alliance since 2012. His insights have always challenged our thinking and helped us to get to the next level. Having someone I can trust that will take over and drive a program so I don’t have to is so relieving. It allows me the ability to stay focused on running the business. If you have a project that needs to get done, give them a call.

KIRBY SNEEN

President, Manufacturers Alliance
JUSTIN JOVLE

I served as a board member for a small manufacturing company Jeff was working on. Within 6 months of starting the company had built out a new brand, found new channel partners, moved the facility, gotten to profitability, and started their lean journey all while evaluating and hiring staff to meet the company objectives. Jeff’s well rounded business knowledge makes him a key resource that can solve any business challenge. If you are struggling with a problem and need some support to drive through it. The Next Step Inc. is your team.

JUSTIN JOVLE

COO, Hydra-Flex Inc.