What's getting in the way? Select an area to explore the problems we help solve.
A full pipeline is not a hiring strategy.
Better hiring starts with knowing what success looks like, not simply filling open positions.
We help rethink hiring processes, improve selection, and align the people you bring in with the business you're building.
02 WHY THE BIGGER PICTURE MATTERS
THE PROBLEM ISN'T ALWAYS WHERE IT SHOWS UP.
Hiring problems might be culture problems. Sales problems might be marketing problems. And operational problems might start with leadership.
That's why we look at the whole picture.
Before recommending another tool, campaign, or initiative, we figure out what's actually happening. Then we connect the right people, ideas, and resources to make things better.
Hiring connects your culture to the people who will move the business forward.
It's all connected.
03 OUR CAPABILITIES
WHAT WE ACTUALLY DO.
BIG PICTURE THINKING. ROLLED-UP SLEEVES.
Some businesses need a plan. Others need someone to build it, fix it, or make it work.
We do both.
Strategy & Growth
From business planning and new service development to pricing, positioning, and go-to-market execution, we turn opportunities into actionable plans.
Examples of work +
Business planning and growth strategies
Go-to-market plans and new service launches
Pricing strategies, margin analysis, and financial planning
Market research, positioning, and competitive analysis
Product and software development and commercialization
Strategic partnerships and business development
Brand, Marketing & Design
Strategy meets creative execution. We build brands, design experiences, create content, and develop campaigns that connect with people and drive business results.
Examples of work +
Branding, visual identity, and graphic design
Website design and development
Digital, print, retail, and recruitment campaigns
Marketing collateral, presentations, and sales materials
Content strategy and creation, SEO, and social media
Photography, video, illustration, and creative production
People, Culture & Sales
Better performance starts with better people, processes, and leadership. We strengthen how organizations hire, sell, develop teams, and serve customers.
Examples of work +
Sales coaching, training, and performance management
Sales processes, playbooks, and pipeline development
Proposals, presentations, and sales enablement
Hiring workflows, assessments, and onboarding
Organizational culture assessments and workforce strategy
Leadership development and employee engagement
Systems & Operations
Good ideas need structure and accountability. We connect people, processes, technology, and performance so the business actually works better.
Examples of work +
EOS Integrator leadership and operating rhythms
Strategic priorities, Rocks, and accountability systems
CRM/ATS evaluation, implementation, and process improvement
KPI dashboards, scorecards, and performance reporting
Workflow design, documentation, and automation
Operational restructuring and cross-functional execution
04 SELECTED WORK
NOT JUST IDEAS. ACTUAL WORK.
A few examples of the problems we've helped solve and the things we've helped build.
● ● ● CREATIVE + GROWTH
BRAND REIMAGINEDWORK THAT WORKS.
Design. Marketing. Demand.
BRAND & GROWTH
Building a brand that does more than look good.
Reimagined Award Staffing's brand and brought it to life through nationally recognized creative work, recruitment campaigns, employee storytelling, and sales tools.
PEOPLE & PRODUCT INNOVATION
Making the invisible measurable.
Developed a culture assessment that connects how organizations actually work with how people work best.
SYSTEMS & OPERATIONS
More activity wasn't the answer.
Restructured sales, recruiting, and operational processes to prioritize quality over volume, improve profitability, and drive measurable performance.
05 HOW KANDR WORKS
LESS TALK. MORE TRACTION.
No unnecessary complexity. No recommendations that collect dust.
01
Find the friction.
We ask questions, challenge assumptions, and get to the real issue instead of treating symptoms.
02
Focus on what matters.
We identify opportunities, establish priorities, and build a practical plan that makes sense for your business.
03
Make it happen.
We help put the plan into action, measure progress, and make adjustments along the way.
06 WAYS TO WORK TOGETHER
THE RIGHT HELP. WITHOUT THE EXTRA B.S.
Every challenge is different. The engagement should fit the job, not the other way around.
01 / PROJECTS
One problem. One clear scope.
For businesses that need a specific problem solved, something built, or an initiative completed. Defined deliverables, clear milestones, and an agreed finish line.
STARTING AT
$5,000 / project
Common engagements:
Branding, websites, graphic design, and marketing campaigns
Business plans, new service launches, and sales enablement
System transitions, assessments, and process redesign
02 / RETAINERS
A partner. Without another hire.
Consistent access to strategic thinking and hands-on execution for work that doesn't stop after one project. Ongoing support, agreed priorities, and dependable follow-through.
STARTING AT
$2,500 / month
Common engagements:
Marketing, design, content, and campaign execution
Sales coaching, enablement, and team support
Reporting, process improvements, and ongoing business initiatives
03 / FRACTIONAL LEADERSHIP
Experience. Without full-time overhead.
Embedded executive leadership for businesses that need someone to take ownership, align teams, and drive results. Not just advice. Leadership, accountability, and execution.
STARTING AT
$5,000 / month
Common engagements:
Fractional marketing, revenue, operations, and Integrator leadership.
EOS operating rhythms, planning, and accountability
Team development, commercial growth, and operational execution
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?
A RETAINER gives you ongoing support to get the work done. FRACTIONAL LEADERSHIP gives you someone accountable for leading the work, the people, and the outcomes.
EVERY ENGAGEMENT IS BUILT AROUND YOUR NEEDS. You'll know what's included, what it costs, and what we're working toward before we start.
FAIR QUESTIONS.
Straight answers.
What if I'm not sure what I actually need?+
That's fine. You don't need to show up with a diagnosis or a perfectly defined project. We'll talk through what's happening, identify where the real problem might be, and figure out what kind of help makes sense. Sometimes the answer is simpler than you think.
Do you actually do the work, or just tell me what to do?+
Both. I'm not interested in handing you a fancy presentation and disappearing. I can develop the strategy, build the tools and materials, improve the processes, and help implement the solution. We'll agree on exactly what I'm responsible for before getting started.
Is the price I see the price I'll actually pay?+
The prices listed are starting points, not surprise invoices waiting to happen. Every engagement is scoped around your needs, with clear deliverables, timelines, pricing, and payment terms agreed upon upfront. No hidden fees. No guessing what you're paying for.
What happens if the scope changes?+
It probably will. Businesses aren't static, and sometimes the best insights come after the work begins. When priorities change or something unexpected comes up, we'll talk through the options, any impact on cost or timing, and agree on a path forward before making changes. No surprises.
What happens when I reach out? Am I getting a sales pitch?+
No pitch deck. No pressure. Just an honest conversation about what's happening in your business and whether I can help. If we're a good fit, we'll talk next steps. If we're not, I'll tell you. I'd rather earn your trust than sell you something you don't need.
07 THE PERSON BEHIND KANDR
THE NAME'S KANDR FOR A REASON.
Candor. Without the sugarcoating.
I'm Dr. Derek Freese, Ed.D., founder of Kandr Solutions.
I've spent my career working across marketing, sales, recruiting, operations, and business leadership. I've built brands, developed new services, designed business tools, improved processes, and led teams responsible for real business results.
I've also learned that the problem a business thinks it has isn't always the one holding it back. That's why I started Kandr.
To bring honest perspective, creative thinking, and hands-on experience to businesses that want to move forward.
I'll tell you what I think. I'll explain why. And when there's work to do, I'll roll up my sleeves.
08 LET'S MAKE SOMETHING BETTER
LET'S TALK B.S.
Something isn't working the way it should?
Maybe you know exactly what needs fixing. Maybe you just know something could be better. Either way, let's talk.
No pitch deck. No pressure. Just an honest conversation about your business.