The premier choice for elite fitness and wellness brands seeking transformative growth.
In order to build a scalable business, you need to nail it in so many areas. Concept, product, team, financial prudence, energy management, leadership, systems, processes, positioning, culture, accountability and a North Star.
Navigating the journey of a business involves six critical phases: Start-up, Perseverance, Viability, Scaling, Succession and finally – an Exit. Many businesses get stuck in the perseverance phase, which in essence means your business is living paycheck to paycheck and that’s only sustainable for so long. At A. Jaybird we specialize in helping Founders and CEOs break through to the scaling and succession phases and help prepare you for an exit.
The scaling phase is where you bet big on your concept, distinguishing it from the viability phase where growth is steady but not yet empire-building. We provide a clear, bold plan to help you expand rapidly and confidently, avoiding reckless decisions that can really hinder your success.
There are several consultants and advisors out there who have never done what you’re looking to do – in fact, this is the majority of people. They advise from the sidelines and many of their recommendations are based on what they have seen or heard, not what they have done.
Anne and Jay have a combined 35+ years of experience being Founders and CEO’s. Not only do they have the actual first-hand knowledge on how to start, scale and sell a company, they have deep relationships with founders, CEO’s, business owners, private equity and lenders, landlords and tech partners.
We’ve been in your shoes and if you want to scale and ultimately sell your company, we can help you do that.
Anne Mahlum
Co-Founder
Anne Mahlum has the full experience from start-up to scaling across the country to raising money to succession planning to having an incredible exit on terms that worked for her. She is the Founder and former CEO of [solidcore]. She opened her first studio in November of 2013 and no one has scaled a corporately-owned fitness concept faster than Anne. In her first year, she opened six locations and she had 75 locations open in just five years. Anne grew her team to 2,000 employees and she raised more than $210M in private equity during her tenure at the company. In April 2023, as the company opened its 100th location, Anne had one of the largest exits of any fitness founders as she sold her shares for close to $90M and negotiated a no-strings future payout as well.
Anne carefully crafted her exit plan by promoting her COO to CEO two years before her exit and she stepped into the Executive Chairwoman role. She remained in control of her company during this time so she could decide when she wanted an exit and it could happen on her terms. She understood that having a different CEO in place would show the viability and strength of the company, which would in essence make the company more valuable and she wouldn’t get stuck working for her company under private equity in an earn-out situation.
Anne is also the Founder and former CEO of Back on My Feet, a national nonprofit that uses running to help the homeless become more self-sufficient through employment and housing. In her six years as CEO, she scaled the organization to 12 cities with an annual budget of $6M. The organization operates in 14 cities today and has helped thousands of men and women regain independence in their lives.
Since selling [solidcore], Anne spends her time investing in an area of different sectors, advising founders and consulting with private equity. She is thought leader as well as a professional public speaker and avid beach volleyball player.
Jay Siano
Co-Founder
Renowned as the foremost authority in wellness real estate nationwide, Jay Siano epitomizes expertise in his roles as a New York-based entrepreneur, investor, and commercial real estate and wellness executive. At the helm of his core enterprises, SABRE and SABRE Business Xchange (SBX), Jay has been pivotal in advising and propelling some of the globe’s most renowned brands to unparalleled success.
From iconic names like Chipotle, Starbucks Coffee, Orangetheory Fitness, Massage Envy, and European Wax Center, Jay’s early career clientele reads like a who’s who of industry leaders. Today, he is hailed as a trailblazer in Wellness Real Estate, playing a pivotal role in shaping the nationwide expansion strategies of numerous top-tier brands. Notably, his recent triumph in catapulting [solidcore] from its origins in the DC Metro area to becoming the largest corporate group fitness company in the nation underscores his unmatched prowess.
In 2011, Mr. Siano co-founded SABRE Real Estate Advisors, swiftly establishing it as one of the nation’s most influential location-based real estate advisory firms. Throughout his illustrious 23 year career, Mr. Siano has consistently delivered, leveraging his profound understanding of consumer behavior, fitness trends, and strategic creativity to elevate brands with precision and velocity.
Our 6 Step Process
Our bespoke process is crafted to turn fitness and wellness concepts into market-dominating brands. We believe in quality over quantity, which is why we’re selective about the partnerships we forge.
Our core values of relentless excellence, bold innovation, integrity, and strategic precision underpin everything we do. We’re here for the underdogs, the visionaries, and the dreamers ready to break the mold and redefine the fitness and wellness industry.
Here’s what you can expect with our partnership (click any to expand):
Our journey begins with an in-depth discovery session, where we delve into your vision, goals, and unique challenges. We align our expertise with your ambitions, ensuring that our partnership is built on a shared commitment to your North star and we work backwards from there.
With a clear understanding of your aspirations, our team crafts a bespoke multi-year strategy tailored to your brand and overall goal. We integrate cutting-edge business strategy, commercial real estate insights, and innovative financing solutions to create a roadmap for success.
Our team excels in negotiating game-changing deals and securing prime locations that set your brand apart. We leverage our extensive network and street-smart tactics to position your business for maximum impact and growth.
Execution is where we shine. Our approach is marked by strategic precision, where every move is calculated and backed by data, expertise and financial responsibility.
In a fast-evolving industry, adaptability is key. We stay ahead of the curve, continually refining our strategies to respond to market trends and emerging opportunities. This dynamic approach ensures your brand remains at the forefront of the fitness and wellness landscape.
Growth doesn’t stop at execution. We provide ongoing support to ensure your brand scales with consistent and attractive unit economics while improving corporate EBITDA. This phase is also dedicated to succession planning.
When the time is right, we guide you through a transformative exit strategy. Our goal is to maximize the value of your brand, ensuring a seamless transition that celebrates your success and sets the stage for future endeavors.
Growth Lifecycle
Testimonials
"Since working with Anne, our monthly revenue has tripled and our 4 wall EBITDA margin has expanded to a consistent 25%. I knew she was going to be able to help with top line, but to see her advice translate into profitability was the true unlock for us. It took Anne just a few hours to be able to identify the bottlenecks in our business and provide tangible, specific advice that I could action immediately. However, more important than the tactical advice was the shift in my self belief and the elimination of mental blockers that were stopping me from growing. If you are serious about growth there is no better money spent than working with Anne.”
"Jay Siano is second to none. An innovative thought leader with a passion for excellence. He mentors collaboratively and is always there to lend an ear, offer advice, or make the intro. One of the most well-respected and disruptive professionals in retail, Jay lives by example and is at the top of his game."
"Working with Anne was one of the most transformative periods of my life, and it all happened in 4 short weeks. They say if you want to level up, spend time with those you look up to. I applied to a scholarship coaching program with Anne for four weeks of business coaching, with the specific intention of breaking past an income plateau I was facing. Not only did Anne give me the confidence and strategy to dramatically increase my prices, she helped me understand the power of scalability. I can happily say I’m now making 3x the yearly income I was making when we began working together, and I continue to look up to her as one of the most powerful and grounded leaders I’d admire to emulate.”
"Jay Siano has been a personal and professional mentor of mine for the last few years, he has completely transformed how I do business and how I think about business and success. His guidance and insight has been invaluable for an industry disruptor like myself to have that perspective matched by an industry professional with over two decades of a track record of success."
"Anne's guidance has been invaluable in scaling my business. She's the best of the best at navigating hard decisions and finding the untapped opportunity that every business has. Anne challenges me to be a kinder, more creative, smarter business person by continuing to walk the walk in her own life every single day."
"Working with Anne Mahlum is the ride of a lifetime. She will push you to your limit and then some, challenge you to think outside the box and still inspire you to want to achieve more. Her knowledge, passion and drive to scale businesses is unrivaled. She will provide high level strategic insight while showing you how to execute at the same time. If you want to grow your business, Anne is someone you want on your team."
"Jayson has continuously been a sounding board for me. Whether it was navigating COVID, looking into real estate ventures, or an overview of the industry - he has always been not only a source of balanced information, but a solid friend and supporter through it all."
for advisory service
If you have at least three existing locations or $5M in annual revenue, we want to connect with you.
Our blend of practical experience and strategic insight makes us the perfect partner to guide you through every phase of your business journey.
Ready to transform your vision into reality and achieve extraordinary success?
Thank you for your interest in A. Jaybird. Please fill out the form to contact us:
Unlock You Business's Full Potential with our Strategic Advisory Sessions
Scaling a business is both an art and a science, and having the right guidance can make all the difference.
Get personalized, expert advice with our one-on-one advisory calls, designed to provide you with actionable insights and strategic guidance tailored to your business’s unique needs.
Whether you need a quick, focused session or ongoing support, we provide personalized guidance to help you overcome challenges, optimize operations, and achieve sustainable growth.
Choose Your Path
One-Hour Strategy Session : Perfect for tackling specific challenges and gaining quick insights.
Five-Hour Strategy Session Package: Ideal for comprehensive, long-term strategic planning and continuous support
Not quite ready for an advisory session?
We still want to help.
Our small group workshops are a great place to start.
These workshops are designed to give you the insights and strategies needed to effectively scale your brick-and-mortar business. Get the knowledge and tools to unlock additional revenue and achieve your business goals.
Unlock Your Business's Full Potential with a Fractional Growth Advisor
Looking for tailored, executive-level support that goes beyond traditional consulting or advisory calls? Our Fractional Growth Advisor service offers comprehensive, hands-on expertise designed to address your unique challenges and unlock sustained growth. Unlike our one-time or short-term advisory calls, this bespoke offering provides in-depth, ongoing leadership, working as an extension of your executive team to guide your business through every phase of growth.
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