# Entrepreneurs Who Code. Not Coders Who Have a Business.

> Founded by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs. Learn about the operator-led approach behind Slo-Pitch Central, TeamGear.ca, and 20 years of client work.

Canonical: https://blacktiecollab.com/about

There's a difference. You can see it in what we've built, from Slo-Pitch Central to TeamGear.ca.

## Why Blacktie Exists

Here's the problem we kept seeing: Business owners would hire agencies to build websites. The agencies would ask "what do you want?" and then build exactly that. No questions about business model. No strategy. No understanding of what actually drives revenue.

The sites would launch. They'd look great. And then... nothing. No leads. No growth. Just a pretty brochure that cost $10,000.

**Why?** Because the people building the sites had never run a successful business themselves. They were executing tasks, not solving business problems.

> "We started Blacktie to fix this."
>
> What if clients could work with someone who actually understands business? Someone who's scaled companies successfully? Someone who thinks like an operator, not just a contractor?

**That's Blacktie. Operator-led. Battle-tested. Results-focused.**

## The Journey

### 2004: The Beginning

Started studying entrepreneurship and business at age 14. Not from books—from watching, learning, and trying.

### 2010s: Building & Learning

Launched multiple ventures. Some failed. Some succeeded. Every single one taught valuable lessons about what actually works.

### 2015: Blacktie Founded

Started helping local businesses after realizing most agencies had never run a business themselves. The gap was obvious.

### 2020+: Scaling Success

Refined the methodology. Ran 3 six-figure businesses simultaneously while helping clients scale theirs. Proved the model works.

### Today: Slo-Pitch Central, TeamGear.ca & More

Selective about clients. All-in on partnerships. Focused on businesses we believe we can genuinely help scale.

## How We Work Differently

These aren't values we made up for a website. These are principles we live by when running our own businesses—and apply to yours.

### Operator-First Thinking

We run successful businesses ourselves. Every recommendation comes from real experience, not theory.

### Strategy Over Execution

Anyone can build what you ask for. We tell you what you actually need based on what drives revenue.

### Results, Not Deliverables

We don't measure success by "site launched." We measure by growth, conversions, and revenue impact.

### Partnership, Not Contracting

When we take on a client, we're all-in. We optimize, iterate, and improve until it actually works.

### Problem Diagnosis

Most agencies ask "what do you want?" We ask "what problem are you trying to solve?" Big difference.

### No BS, Just Truth

If something won't work, we'll tell you. If you're not ready, we'll tell you. Honesty builds better businesses.

## The Numbers Don't Lie

- **180%** YOY Revenue Growth: For TeamGear.ca, on the platform we built
- **48,000+** Pages Built: On Slo-Pitch Central, a platform we run
- **20+** Years Experience: Studying & applying business strategy

### Why does it work?

Because we're selective. We only take on clients we genuinely believe we can help. You'll get a straight answer and a fixed price upfront. No wasted time. No false promises.

## Who's Behind Blacktie?

### Shane Heyworth

Founder & Lead Strategist. [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheyworth/)

Shane doesn't fit the typical "web developer" mold—and that's exactly the point.

Started studying business and entrepreneurship at 14. Not because it was assigned—because it was fascinating. How do businesses actually work? What makes some scale while others fail? What separates theory from reality?

Twenty years later, those questions have been answered through real experience. Running multiple six-figure businesses. Building platforms like Slo-Pitch Central and helping companies like TeamGear.ca scale. Seeing what works in practice, not just in theory.

**The difference?** When you work with Blacktie, you're not getting someone who Googles "how to grow a business." You're getting Shane—someone who does it successfully, repeatedly, and can show you exactly how.

### The Blacktie DNA

Every project carries Shane's operator-led approach. Whether it's Shane directly or team members trained in this methodology, you're getting business strategy from people who've actually built and scaled companies.

## Related

- [Portfolio](https://blacktiecollab.com/portfolio)
- [Testimonials](https://blacktiecollab.com/testimonials)