Meet Chris Franckhauser

Flywheel’s Newest Mentor Helping Founders Gain Clarity and Confidence

At Flywheel, our guarantee is to actively support the acceleration of members’ personal and professional success—and that includes access to experienced mentors who can help entrepreneurs navigate the many challenges of starting and scaling a business. That’s why we’re proud to offer Flywheel members exclusive access to the Mentor Deck, an online platform designed to connect you with our network of seasoned mentors and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). Whether you’re refining your pitch, building out a go-to-market strategy, or tackling complex operational challenges, the Mentor Deck is your on-demand resource for trusted guidance.

We’re thrilled to welcome Chris Franckhauser as our newest addition to the Flywheel Mentor Deck!

As a new mentor on the Flywheel Foundation’s Mentor Deck, what drew you to this opportunity, and what do you hope to bring to the Flywheel community?

What drew me to Flywheel was the shared belief that great ideas deserve the right structure and support to thrive. I know how tough it can be to turn vision into traction, especially when you’re juggling limited resources and competing priorities. I’m excited to contribute my experience in strategy, commercialization, go-to-market, and revenue operations to help founders gain clarity and accelerate growth. I hope to bring practical insights, candid conversations, and a collaborative spirit to the community. More than anything, I’m here to listen, support, and help entrepreneurs move forward with purpose.

What are some of the biggest challenges you see entrepreneurs facing today, and how do you help them navigate those obstacles?

One major challenge is the pressure to scale before they’re truly ready. Founders often feel like they have to grow fast, but without a clear strategy or strong operational foundation, that speed can lead to costly missteps. Another big challenge is knowing the customer. If you can’t clearly define what you do, who it’s for, and why it matters, it’s incredibly difficult to gain traction or stand out in a crowded market.

That’s where I come in. I help entrepreneurs take a step back to define their business strategy, build a commercialization plan, and align their teams around a clear go-to-market approach. My style is hands-on and tailored. I work closely with leaders to simplify complex challenges and build momentum with intention.

If you could give one piece of advice to an early-stage entrepreneur, what would it be?

Get clear before you get loud. It’s tempting to focus on promotion and growth right away, but if your strategy, messaging, or audience isn’t dialed in, you’ll end up spinning your wheels. Take the time to understand your market, define your value, and build the right foundation. Clarity up front makes everything you do more impactful, saving you time, energy, and frustration.

What’s one aspect of business growth or strategy that you’re most excited to share with Flywheel members?

I’m excited to share how powerful strategic alignment can be. When sales, marketing, product, and operations are all pulling in the same direction with shared goals and a clear strategy, growth becomes so much more sustainable. I love helping founders connect the dots that allow them to build and scale with confidence. Alignment might not be the flashiest topic, but it’s one of the most powerful levers for long-term success.

Flywheel members: If you’re ready to refine your go-to-market approach, align your teams, and gain a clearer path to sustainable growth—connect with Chris through the Mentor Deck today.

Be sure to connect with Chris on LinkedIn, and find his profile on the Mentor Deck! Flywheel members can contact their Community Manager for login information, and eligible non-members can apply for access to the deck.