Hello! I’m Alex Blunk, a California-based (but globally nimble) operator, designer, and strategic thinker who finds never-ending inspiration in the systems of the natural world.
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Just as a tree’s roots anchor and nourish it—allowing the branches to expand to their environment—technology enhances human capabilities, providing the knowledge and tools needed to make better decisions and thrive through adaptation.
My specialties:
I admire the brands & people who are serious about the benefits of technology, give a damn about the world, are conscious of their impact in the communities they serve, and love what they’ve built.
To get a sense for collaboration, take a look at levels of engagement below..
Just as a tree’s roots anchor and nourish it—allowing the branches to expand to their environment—technology enhances human capabilities, providing the knowledge and tools needed to make better decisions and thrive through adaptation.
My specialties:
-
Integrating & optimizing digital systems for efficient and holistically beneficial output (manufacturing or agriculture)
-
Crafting & enhancing user experiences (internal tools or physical consumer products)
- Custom digital product development to reduce friction & add transparency
I admire the brands & people who are serious about the benefits of technology, give a damn about the world, are conscious of their impact in the communities they serve, and love what they’ve built.
To get a sense for collaboration, take a look at levels of engagement below..
CANOPY
Level 1
The canopy is the frontline of energy transformation for a tree, influencing all downstream activity. It also signals early warning signs of inefficiency or misalignment in a business.
Role Equivalent: Strategic Operations Advisor
Role Equivalent: Strategic Operations Advisor
︎ 3-6 mo.
︎ Surface Complexity—Assessment & Direction
Goal:
Highlight surface-level improvements that can enhance efficiency and visibility. Diagnosis rather than any deep implementation.
︎ Output
︎ Summary Report
- Key Findings
- Risks
- Recommendations
- Next Steps
Example Output Details:
︎ Systems & Reporting
︎Overview of the current system stack (Order-to-Cash, Procurement, Accounting, CRM, etc.).
︎Digital tool review and improvement recommendations.
︎Brief review of financial & operational dashboards
︎Documentation & workflow organization audit.
︎ User Experience
︎UX review of consumer products, internal tools, or packaging.
︎High-level feedback on workflow efficiency and user accessibility.
︎ Strategy
︎Strategic direction recommendations (but not full planning).
︎Overview of tools that could improve feedback loops and operational efficiency.
︎ Surface Complexity—Assessment & Direction
Goal:
Highlight surface-level improvements that can enhance efficiency and visibility. Diagnosis rather than any deep implementation.
︎ Output
︎ Summary Report
- Key Findings
- Risks
- Recommendations
- Next Steps
Example Output Details:
︎ Systems & Reporting
︎Overview of the current system stack (Order-to-Cash, Procurement, Accounting, CRM, etc.).
︎Digital tool review and improvement recommendations.
︎Brief review of financial & operational dashboards
︎Documentation & workflow organization audit.
︎ User Experience
︎UX review of consumer products, internal tools, or packaging.
︎High-level feedback on workflow efficiency and user accessibility.
︎ Strategy
︎Strategic direction recommendations (but not full planning).
︎Overview of tools that could improve feedback loops and operational efficiency.
TRUNK
TRUNK
Level 2
+ Level 1
The trunk gives structure, strength, and alignment—this phase focuses on supporting standardization, deeper process refinements, and KPI tracking.
It connects the roots (foundation) to the canopy (execution), ensuring long-term sustainability.
Role Equivalent: Strategic Operations Director
︎ 6-12 mo.
︎Medium Complexity—Structured Planning & Scalability
Goal:
Reinforce operational and financial stability to support scalability. Pave the way for technological & strategic sophistication.
︎ Output:
︎ Detailed Report
- Summary + Key Findings
- Risks
- Recommendations
- Next Steps
︎ Interviews / Workshops
︎Enhancing Current Systems
︎ Follow-on Quarterly Sessions
(After contract expires)
Example Output Details:
︎ Systems & Reporting
︎Comprehensive analysis of current system stack (eg. Order-to-Cash, Procurement, Accounting, Pipeline + CRM).
︎ERP Scoping and budgeting.
︎Deeper digital tool review (selection recommendations, integration planning).
︎Comprehensive review of financial & operational dashboarding tools.
︎Documentation & workflow organization analysis.
︎Automation recommendations.
︎ User Experience
︎UX review of consumer products, internal tools, or packaging.
︎Detailed feedback with anonymous employee interviews on workflow efficiency and user accessibility.
︎ Strategy
︎Strategic direction with managerial budget review
︎Overview of tools to drive feedback and operational efficiency
︎Operational hiring plan review
ROOTS
Level 3
+ Level 2
+ Level 1
The roots anchor and sustain the entire tree — they also form lasting relationships with the microbes and fungi within the soil they’re planted into.
They absorb resources (data, financial insights, process optimizations) and prevent instability, ensuring a strong, resilient company structure.
Role Equivalent: VP Operations, Fractional COO
︎ 12+ months
︎Advanced Complexity—Execution & Integrated Restructuring
Goal:
Create a deep, scalable, and resilient operational strategy that seeks to allow the company to grow to avoid instability.
︎ Output:
︎ Comprehensive Report
- Summary + Key Findings
- Recommendations
- Next Steps
- Planning & Budgeting
- Financial Modelling
︎ Interviews / Workshops
︎ Implementation of New Systems
︎ Follow-on Quarterly Sessions
(After contract expires)
Example Output Details:
︎ Systems & Reporting
︎Collaborative overhaul of current system stack (eg. Order-to-Cash, Procurement, Accounting, Pipeline + CRM)
︎Deeper digital tool review with more extensive recommendations, integrations, and automations
︎If applicable: Guided-ERP Implementation with Experienced Team
︎Comprehensive review of financial & operational dashboarding tools.
︎Process documentation & workflow restructuring.
︎ User Experience
︎ Implement researched & refined UX strategies (internal & consumer-facing).
︎Ensure digital workflows align with business strategy.
︎ Strategy
︎Strategic direction & full managerial budget execution.
︎Process engineering & cost efficiency planning (like roots extracting the right nutrients—ensuring the company only invests in what matters).
︎ Finalized hiring & team structuring plans.
︎Advanced Complexity—Execution & Integrated Restructuring
Goal:
Create a deep, scalable, and resilient operational strategy that seeks to allow the company to grow to avoid instability.
︎ Output:
︎ Comprehensive Report
- Summary + Key Findings
- Recommendations
- Next Steps
- Planning & Budgeting
- Financial Modelling
︎ Interviews / Workshops
︎ Implementation of New Systems
︎ Follow-on Quarterly Sessions
(After contract expires)
Example Output Details:
︎ Systems & Reporting
︎Collaborative overhaul of current system stack (eg. Order-to-Cash, Procurement, Accounting, Pipeline + CRM)
︎Deeper digital tool review with more extensive recommendations, integrations, and automations
︎If applicable: Guided-ERP Implementation with Experienced Team
︎Comprehensive review of financial & operational dashboarding tools.
︎Process documentation & workflow restructuring.
︎ User Experience
︎ Implement researched & refined UX strategies (internal & consumer-facing).
︎Ensure digital workflows align with business strategy.
︎ Strategy
︎Strategic direction & full managerial budget execution.
︎Process engineering & cost efficiency planning (like roots extracting the right nutrients—ensuring the company only invests in what matters).
︎ Finalized hiring & team structuring plans.
PREVIOUS COMPANIES
INDUSTRIES / COMPANY LINKS:
CPG & Food
Fort Point Beer Co. (5 years) Banza (2 years)
Smallhold (2 years)
eCommerce
Huckberry (2 years) Flow (3 years) Union Garage (1 year)
︎︎︎︎ Career Timeline ︎︎︎︎ PDF CV
SOME WORDS ON MY APPROACH
I won’t assume I have all the answers. Yet, I will confidently bring a diverse industry perspective, scrappy optimism, and a deep sense of empathy to help teams build structures that work best for the whole ecosystem.
I believe that actively soliciting varied feedback from people at all levels—while also having an instinct for useful emerging technologies—is key to building resilient, holistically beneficial tools and teams.
LET’S TALK!
Rates to be determined after scoping call.
Basic rate card can be provided upon inquiry — I’m here to work within your budget.
I look forward learning about your operation and how I can support!
