Business Plans • Financial Projections • Advising • Coaching

Startup consulting* for first-time entrepreneurs who want to launch a business built for profitability & lasting growth.

You have a big vision. But data shows it takes most startups 10 years to become truly successful — and 90% won’t even make it that long. For decades I’ve been helping founders like you become one of the 10%. Better, stronger and faster.

Startup Consultant + Advisor + Coach

Here’s what no one tells you.

You’ve spent years, maybe decades, becoming an expert in your field. You have a big, ambitious vision — and you’re finally ready to make it real.

The stakes feel high because they are. You want freedom, but not at the cost of losing what you’ve built. You still need to support your family, fund retirement, maybe pay for kids’ college. You’re not looking to gamble everything on a dream.

Here’s what most people don’t tell you: The idea that you should automatically know how to build a business from scratch simply because you’re successful in your career is pure fiction. They’re completely different skill sets.

Financials, operations, customers, story, fundraising — you need to understand all of it. Not surface level. Deep enough to make informed decisions and know when something’s off.

There’s no earthly reason you’d already know how to do this. That’s why you get expert guidance before you leap — not after.

Meet the Founder + Principal

It’s time to stop wasting time guessing and pivoting — and start profiting.

Diane Tarshis, startup expert and founder of Startup Distillery

Hi, I’m Diane Tarshis. I provide 1:1 startup consulting and business planning that gives founders the clarity they need to fast-track success. Put simply, I’m like the expert that gets founders ready to go on Shark Tank, so they know exactly what they’re doing before all eyes are on them.

Since graduating from the Wharton School and leaving the frenzy of Wall Street behind, I’ve spent 20-plus years helping entrepreneurs from all walks of life build successful businesses and get funded.

I’ve advised founders in industries ranging from clean energy to life sciences, retail to consumer products, entertainment, food & beverage, tech of all kinds… and distilleries, of course.

Some of my clients have become leaders in their industry, others have made multimillion-dollar exits, while still others have achieved their dream of a life that gives them flexibility and financial freedom.

But one thing they’ve all had in common is this: They refused to leave their success up to trial and error.

If you’re ready to seek out expert guidance,
let’s see if I’m the right fit for you.

Learn more about Diane

This is your shot. Let’s make it count.

Whether you want to fast-track profitability or raise funds, you’re in the right place.

1

A Modern
Business Plan

I call it a Business Blueprint — strategic clarity that drives action.

Traditional business plans were built for a different era. A Business Blueprint focuses on what actually matters: your value proposition, business model, operations, and path to profitability. No filler. No fluff. Just the strategic clarity you need to move forward with confidence. 99% of my clients seeking funding have secured it. That’s not a coincidence.

Let’s build yours

2

Investor-Ready
Financial Projections

The numbers that tell your story — and fund your future.

Your projections aren’t just a spreadsheet. They’re proof that you understand your business — what it costs to run, when you’ll be profitable, and how much you need to get there. I build projections that hold up under scrutiny, whether you’re pitching investors or want to be sure you don’t run out of cash before you hit profitability.

Let’s run the numbers

3

90-Minute
Founder Intensive

Stuck? Spinning? Facing a tough decision? Let’s fix that.

Sometimes you don’t need a months-long engagement — you just need 90 minutes of laser-focused, expert guidance. Whether you’re facing a roadblock, critical decision, or something you need to understand before you can take your next step, this session is designed to get you unstuck and moving forward.

Let’s get unstuck

Book a Discovery Call

Or just call me: (773) 871-0110

My Approach Works.

Here’s proof.