Athan is awesome. He was able to help me rapidly get clarity on my business and where I should go with it. I'm so thankful for his help!
Athan Slotkin
In high demand
- 15 hires
- Based in Venice, CA
- 16 years in business
- 10 employees
- Background checked
About Athan Slotkin
I help founders, startups, and growth-stage teams turn complex opportunities into clear strategy, sharper positioning, stronger brands, and executable plans. I’m a global startup advisor, serial entrepreneur, and Yale MBA with 20+ years of experience advising entrepreneurs and building businesses across AI, consumer, marketplaces, membership, loyalty, Web3, travel, financial services, real estate, retail, and emerging markets. I’ve advised 1,000+ founders and operators, traveled to 100+ countries, and worked across industries where the right strategy depends on understanding markets, customers, competition, incentives, timing, taste, and how people actually behave. Clients usually come to me when they need clarity on one or more of these: • Startup strategy, positioning, and business model design • Brand strategy, messaging, narrative, and market feel • AI-era opportunities, workflows, and market strategy • Go-to-market, growth, loyalty, membership, and rewards models • Pitch decks, investor narratives, financial models, and strategic plans • Competitive strategy, pricing, customer psychology, and execution priorities Earlier in my career, I managed Membership Rewards partnerships and card strategy at American Express, including work across the Black, Platinum, and Gold Card portfolios. I have an MBA from Yale and a BA from Cornell. My strength is taking messy, high-stakes business questions and turning them into structured clarity: what matters, what does not, where the leverage is, and what to do next. A lot of my work sits where strategy, brand, UX, incentives, and execution meet: finding the angle, the story, the feel, and the business logic that make something click. I’m a game theory thinker and former professional poker player, so I pay close attention to incentives, competition, risk, uncertainty, and whether a business is being looked at honestly, not just optimistically. I also genuinely enjoy this work. I like big ideas, weird markets, ambitious founders, sharp strategy, strong brands, good design, and figuring out what is really going on beneath the surface of a business. Personally, I’m a lifelong athlete, avid traveler, and deeply curious about food, language, culture, cities, markets, and how people think in different parts of the world. Hablo español. Je parle français. A few blurbs from my clients: "Athan just gets business. I've worked with him on several different projects and he always has an incredible way of distilling the problem and developing a smart strategy." - Tara, Brand/Business Model Agency Owner "Athan is the consummate New York business person - it's no coincidence he's so good at helping others. He's gritty and reliable. He always delivers" - Kevin, Real Estate Business Owner "Hire him and give him some working space - he will surprise you." - Brian, former boss. "There are not many people who can wear so many hats simultaneously - Athan is a rare person." - Tom, Strategy Consultant
Reviews
Athan is very professional, he is helping me polish my business in different angles I never thought before which will translate to a more effective business strategy, execution and results. Highly recommend Athan to help your business get to the next level.
Athan was amazing! We are two teachers who know nothing about business. He walked us through everything and was very thorough. He took our small business seriously and wants to see us succeed. We are using the knowledge he has given to us to expand our business and make it successful. Thank you for your patience and expertise, Athan.
As a small business owner who is seeking funding to grow your business, one of the most critical decision you have to make is to develop a business plan. This experience is overwhelming and stressful. The thought of finding the right person to present your vision, your sacrifice and financial investment in a way that will garner a strong interest from professional investors is extremely daunting. Athan was able to make that experience rewarding. His knowledge and skill induced confidence in the outcome. His patience and professionalism made the process seamless. I was extremely pleased with our work product, and would recommend Athan with a security of knowing he would continue to advocate for others through his mastery of the business plan writing process. Our (business) future looks brighter for having him contributing a very necessary and critical component of our continued development.
I am a small business owner and in the beginning stages of the whole process. I was able to do all of my business plan minus the financial part, which was a big stress factor for me. Im very happy I found Athan through Thumbtack as he did an excellent job helping me understand the financial part of a business plan and did a solid job in creating a pro forma that is customized to my small business. He is very knowledeable, timely, and professional. I am very confident in my now complete business plan and know what direction to go for the next phase of this process, all thanks to Athan! I highly recommend his services!!
I came to Athan with just an idea. I had no idea where to begin, which direction to think, how to start and I was overwhelmed. After just one conversation with Athan I knew he was the person I needed on my side to build my brand and business. He has helped me through all of the beginning stages of building a business and not only has he made it seem less overwhelming but has even helped me filter through so many concerns, decisions, hurdles, and more. I am so excited about the path we are on and the steps we are accomplishing. Athan makes me feel like someone has my back through this whole growing stage and more. I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend him to anyone starting a business needing support and a forward thinker. "
All excellent
Athan is a brilliant, capable and genuine individual. His approach in helping us put together our business plan was effective and efficient. Whatever phase you’re in from startup phase to post launch, I could not recommend anyone more than Athan. He is a rare breed of individual with smarts and integrity. You cannot go wrong with Athan.
As a beginner to the whole process of starting a business, I was definitely nervous and a little overwhelmed. After talking with Athan it was definitely refreshing to know someone who has the experience, knowledge, and scope of modern business concepts. He was far from the cookie cutter consultant firms who just give you the whole dog and pony show to try and sell you on their firm. With Athan it was a clear vision with a finite timeline and his work was thorough and precise. Would not hesitate to go back and hopefully will, Thanks Again!
Services
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Athan Slotkin★ 5.0
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