Scale Without Breaking
Ascendant Advising Group helps fast-growing businesses expand with precision — managing the M&A, operational restructuring, and growth strategy that keeps you lean, profitable, and built to last.
HI THERE. WE’RE ASCENDANT ADVISING GROUP.
We've actually run the businesses we advise.
Most consulting firms come in from the outside, hand you a report, and leave. Ascendant Advising Group was built on a different premise — that the best advice comes from someone who has been on the floor, managed the people, hit the numbers, and figured out what actually works under pressure.
Patrick Michaud started his career delivering sandwiches and ended it as Area Manager overseeing half a Jimmy John's franchise — during a pandemic — with the best cost of goods sold in the nation. He didn't learn operations from a textbook. He built systems that worked when everything else was falling apart.
That's the foundation of every engagement we take on.
The Work We Do Best
Whether you're scaling fast, navigating a major transition, or trying to get your operations under control — we specialize in the work that moves the needle.
From due diligence to integration planning, we help you navigate M&A without losing operational momentum.
Mergers & Acquisitions
Growth & Scale Strategy
Franchising, licensing, expansion — we help you grow with intention so you don't outrun your own infrastructure.
Operational Re-structuring
We identify what's slowing you down, redesign your workflows, and build systems that actually scale.
A different kind of consulting firm.
We believe the big consulting model is broken. Here's what we do differently.
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People Are The Strategy
Cutting headcount isn't a solution. Empowered, aligned teams are what drive sustainable results.
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Built For The Long Run
We don't do quick fixes. Every recommendation we make is designed to hold up as you grow.
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Tailored, Not Templated
Your business is not like every other client we've worked with. We don't treat it that way.
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We Do The Heavy Lifting
From M&A to SOPs to organizational restructuring — we're in it with you, not just advising from a distance.
From Our Clients
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Circle City Alliance Therapy & Consulting
“Patrick at Ascendant Advising Group has been instrumental in getting my business off the ground. Contracting with him was a total game-changer. From day one, he provided end-to-end support—assisting with my business plan, negotiating office space, and even managing the accounting. I truly don't think I would be operational today without his expertise and dedication. Patrick is truly an invaluable partner in business!”
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Inspired Kids Programs
“Working with Patrick at Ascendant Advising Group has been a game-changer for Inspired Kids Programs! Patrick’s knack for operations and cost savings is truly impressive. Thanks to the SOPs he built for us, our team is running more efficiently than ever. And when it comes to saving money? Patrick’s work has saved us thousands of dollars already. We can’t recommend him enough!”
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Y'OPA Frozen Yogurt
“Working with Patrick was an extremely valuable experience for our business. He spent several days on-site at our shop, meeting with our team, learning how we operate, and helping us identify areas of strength, weakness, and opportunity for growth. His knowledge of the food service industry was immediately clear, especially given his experience helping to operate and grow multiple Jimmy John’s locations. Patrick is highly analytical, has a strong grasp of the numbers, and understands how day-to-day operations connect to long-term strategy. When I speak with most people about the business, I often feel like they don’t fully understand what I’m trying to build. Patrick did. He asked the right questions, quickly saw the bigger picture, and provided insights that were both practical and strategic. I consider myself an entrepreneur — someone who knows what he’s building and is willing to do what’s necessary to make it happen. Patrick brings a complementary skill set, operating with the discipline, structure, and clarity of an experienced CEO. That balance is powerful. Patrick would be a huge asset to any growing business looking for clarity, structure, and a disciplined approach to sustainable growth.”
No jargon. No fluff. Just practical insight from someone who's been inside the machine.
Straight talk on growth, operations, and scale.
If your business is growing faster than your systems can handle — or you're heading into a major transition and need someone who's done this before — let's talk. The first conversation is free.
Ready to stop leaving growth on the table?
