Dr. Steven Crane is a nationally recognized entrepreneur, business strategist, investor, leadership expert, and growth consultant whose career has been defined by building companies, scaling organizations, creating enterprise value, and helping leaders achieve extraordinary results. A United States Marine Corps veteran and accomplished business leader, Dr. Crane has spent decades operating at the intersection of entrepreneurship, leadership, finance, operations, and organizational growth.

Unlike many consultants who have spent their careers studying business from the sidelines, Dr. Crane has lived it. He has personally founded, built, acquired, scaled, and successfully exited businesses while navigating the same challenges faced by entrepreneurs every day. His experience spans startup environments, turnaround situations, high-growth organizations, private businesses, nonprofit entities, professional services firms, financial services organizations, healthcare, technology, manufacturing, government contracting, and numerous other industries.

Throughout his career, Dr. Crane has built multiple six- and seven-figure businesses and has advised companies that have gone on to generate seven- and eight-figure revenues. His work has helped founders move from startup to scale, struggling companies return to profitability, and established organizations break through growth ceilings that had limited their success for years. Whether helping a company improve operational efficiency, increase revenue, strengthen leadership, prepare for acquisition, or position itself for rapid expansion, Dr. Crane brings a unique combination of strategic vision and execution expertise that consistently delivers results.

His entrepreneurial journey includes a successful seven-figure business exit, giving him firsthand experience with the realities of mergers, acquisitions, valuation, due diligence, negotiation, and transaction management. He understands what it takes to build a company that is not only profitable but valuable. Having sat on both sides of the table, Dr. Crane has worked directly with investors, lenders, strategic partners, executive teams, boards, and stakeholders to structure growth initiatives, secure funding, evaluate opportunities, and maximize enterprise value.

Dr. Steven Crane possesses an exceptionally diverse educational and professional background that spans leadership, business, finance, coaching, organizational development, project management, and human performance. His academic achievements include a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Organizational Change and Leadership, a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Holistic Life Coaching, an M.B.A. in Business Analytics, a Master’s in Financial Planning and Law, and a Master’s in Project Management, and is currently working toward completing his Juris Doctor (J.D.), complemented by over 150 advanced certifications and professional designations, including ChFC, CLU, CEPA, AFC, PCC, CPBL, RBLP-T, CLO, PMP, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, and numerous executive leadership credentials. Combined with decades of experience as a successful entrepreneur, business consultant, financial planner, executive coach, educator, and military leader, Dr. Crane brings a rare multidisciplinary perspective that enables him to help organizations and leaders solve complex challenges at the intersection of strategy, leadership, operations, finance, and human behavior.

Over the years, Dr. Crane has developed a reputation as the advisor business owners call when the stakes are high. His clients range from ambitious startups and family-owned businesses to established organizations seeking transformational growth. He has helped companies develop scalable systems, build high-performance teams, increase profitability, improve operational discipline, strengthen leadership pipelines, create succession plans, and prepare for significant growth events.

Throughout his career, Dr. Crane has advised entrepreneurs, executives, and professionals affiliated with some of the most respected organizations in the world, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), AT&T, Dell Technologies, Capital One, Progressive, Medtronic, Palo Alto Networks, Exxon, USAA, BAE Systems, NASA, Thales, Integrity, and Hylant. His influence has also extended into higher education through work connected with George Mason University, Ohio University, and the University of Southern California, as well as military organizations including the United States Marine Corps, United States Navy, and United States Air Force.

What separates Dr. Crane from many business coaches and consultants is the breadth of his experience. He has worked in virtually every major sector of the economy and understands the unique challenges that leaders face regardless of industry. This broad exposure allows him to identify opportunities and blind spots that specialists often miss. He combines lessons learned from entrepreneurship, corporate leadership, military service, organizational psychology, behavioral economics, finance, and strategic management to create solutions that are both practical and transformative.

As a leadership expert, Dr. Crane believes that every business problem is ultimately a leadership problem. He has spent years coaching executives, entrepreneurs, managers, and emerging leaders to improve decision-making, accountability, communication, performance, and organizational culture. His leadership philosophy is rooted in service, discipline, integrity, resilience, and personal responsibility—principles forged through military service and refined through decades of business leadership.

Dr. Crane’s academic credentials further distinguish him in the marketplace. His educational background combines rigorous academic training with extensive real-world business experience, giving him the ability to bridge theory and practice in ways few advisors can. While many experts possess either academic knowledge or practical experience, Dr. Crane brings both. His clients benefit from evidence-based strategies informed by decades of real-world execution.

As Founder of Crane Consulting Solutions, Dr. Crane has built a consulting organization dedicated to helping business owners, executives, and leadership teams unlock their full potential. The firm’s work focuses on strategic planning, organizational development, leadership coaching, operational excellence, growth strategy, performance management, and business transformation. Through this work, Dr. Crane has become a trusted advisor to leaders seeking sustainable growth and long-term success.

His influence extends beyond consulting engagements. Dr. Crane is a sought-after speaker, educator, mentor, and thought leader who has dedicated his career to helping others achieve levels of success they once thought impossible. He is known for his ability to simplify complex business challenges, identify high-impact opportunities, and help leaders execute with confidence.

His remarkable personal journey from homelessness to financial independence in less than five years has become a powerful example of resilience, discipline, and personal transformation. Today, he leverages those experiences to help leaders overcome adversity, develop mental toughness, make better decisions, and build organizations that thrive under pressure. His signature philosophy, “Flush the B.S.,” challenges individuals and organizations to eliminate limiting beliefs, embrace accountability, and operate at their highest potential.

Colleagues and clients often describe him as a rare combination of strategist, operator, entrepreneur, educator, and coach. He possesses the uncommon ability to see both the big picture and the operational details required to bring that vision to life. He understands growth not merely as a theoretical concept, but as a process that requires leadership, discipline, systems, culture, financial acumen, and relentless execution.

Today, Dr. Crane continues to work with entrepreneurs, executives, investors, and organizations across the country. Whether advising a startup founder preparing for rapid growth, helping a mature company navigate a major transition, supporting an executive team through organizational transformation, or guiding a business owner toward a successful exit, his mission remains the same: create lasting value, develop exceptional leaders, and build organizations that thrive long after the engagement ends.

In his recent book, Who’s Got Your Six?: The Senior Advisor Behind Every Leader, Dr. Steven Crane draws on his experiences as a Marine, entrepreneur, executive coach, educator, financial strategist, and organizational consultant to challenge the myth that great leaders succeed alone. The book introduces the concept of the Senior Advisor, the trusted confidant who helps leaders navigate blind spots, make better decisions, build stronger organizations, and avoid the costly mistakes that often derail success. Blending military leadership principles, business strategy, psychology, organizational development, and real-world experience, Dr. Crane provides a practical framework for leaders seeking greater clarity, accountability, resilience, and long-term impact. More than a leadership book, it is a guide to building the counsel, support systems, and self-awareness necessary to lead effectively in business and life.

Dr. Crane’s career stands as a testament to what is possible when vision, discipline, expertise, and execution come together. He is not simply a business coach. He is a proven entrepreneur, accomplished operator, trusted advisor, successful founder, investor-minded strategist, and transformational leader whose work has helped shape companies, careers, and lives.

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) (2029)
• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Holistic Life Coaching
• Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Organizational Change & Leadership
• Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Business Analytics
• Master of Financial Planning & Law (M.A.), Estate Planning & Taxation
• Master of Project Management (M.P.M.), Enterprise Architecture

• CLO, Chief Learning Officer – C-Suite Development, George Mason University
• Executive Leadership & Management, Cornell University
• Business Process Management (CPBPM), Villanova University
• Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt (LSSMBB), Villanova University
• DISC Certification, Behavior Analysis Consultant
• CPBC, Certified Professional Business Coach
• CPBL, Certified Professional Business Leader
• ACC, Accredited Certified Coach
• PCC, Professional Certified Coach
• AQ, Adaptability Intelligence Certified
• CPC, Certified Professional Coach
• EQ-i 2.0/EQ 360, Emotional Intelligence Certified
• RBLP-T, Resilience-Building Leadership Professional Trainer
• CLD, Core Dynamics Executive & Leadership Specialist
• ELI-MP, Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner
• CLCTD, Core Dynamics Life Coaching & Transition Specialist
• PMP, Project Management Professional
• ICP-ATF, Agile Team Facilitation
• ICP-ACC, Agile Coaching
• CAPM, Certified Associate in Project Management
• ITIL v4, Information Technology Infrastructure Library
• PMI-ACP, Agile Certified Practitioner
• SA, SAFe Agilist
• CSPO, Certified Scrum Product Owner
• CSM, Certified Scrum Master
• ChFC, Chartered Financial Consultant
• CF2, Certified Financial Fiduciary
• FRC, Federal Retirement Consultant
• AFC, Accredited Financial Counselor
• NSSA, National Social Security Advisor
• CFEd, Certified Financial Educator
• CMFA, Certified Military Financial Advisor
• RFC, Registered Financial Consultant
• CBDA, Certified Blockchain & Digital Assets
• MQFP, Military Qualified Financial Planner
• CLU, Chartered Life Underwriter
• CEPA, Certified Exit Planning Advisor

Business Growth & Strategy

• Business Development
• Growth Strategy
• Strategic Planning
• Business Transformation
• Scaling Organizations
• Revenue Growth
• Business Model Development
• Exit Planning & Enterprise Value Creation
• Fractional Executive Leadership
• Entrepreneurial Coaching

Leadership & Organizational Development
• Executive Coaching
• Leadership Development
• Organizational Change Management
• Culture Transformation
• Team Development
• Emotional Intelligence
• Resilience & Adaptability
• Talent Development
• Succession Planning
• Learning & Organizational Development

Operations & Performance Improvement
• Operational Excellence
• Process Improvement
• Lean Six Sigma
• Workflow Optimization
• Performance Management
• Strategic Execution
• Project & Program Management
• Business Process Management
• Continuous Improvement

Financial & Wealth Strategy
• Financial Planning
• Retirement Planning
• Estate Planning
• Tax-Efficient Wealth Strategies
• Financial Education
• Financial Wellness Programs
• Military & Veteran Financial Planning
• Exit Planning Advisory

Digital Transformation & Innovation
• Digital Transformation
• AI & Workflow Automation
• Technology Adoption
• Change Leadership
• Strategic Technology Implementation
• Enterprise Architecture
• Agile Transformation

Communication, Influence & Relationships
• Networking Strategy
• Relationship Capital Development
• Strategic Partnerships
• Referral Systems
• Public Speaking
• Keynote Presentation
• Facilitation & Training
• Personal Branding

Military, Veterans & Transition Services
• Military Transition
• Veteran Advocacy
• Veteran Benefits Navigation
• Veteran Entrepreneurship
• Financial Readiness
• Career Transition Coaching
• Veteran-Focused Organizational Programs

Human Performance & Personal Development
• Mindset Development
• High Performance Coaching
• Accountability Coaching
• Behavioral Change
• Personal Growth
• Purpose & Fulfillment
• Cognitive Flexibility
• Leadership Psychology

• Flush the B.S.: Reframe Your Life & Transform Your Truth
• Who’s Got Your Six?: The Senior Advisor Behind Every Leader
• The New World of Money: How Everyday Americans Are Rewriting the Rules & Achieving Financial Equity
• Coaching: The Search for Purpose & Peace
• Mind, Body, and Spirit: Achieving Our Life’s Purpose
• Financial Equity for All: An Evaluation of the Underrepresentation of People of Color Working as Financial Professionals
• No One Wins Alone: A Veteran’s Guide to Purpose, Tribe, and Building a Legacy That Lasts
• Alignment: Master Your Mind, Strengthen Your Body, Awaken Your Spirit
• Build Your Financial Legacy: The Money Blueprint Financial Advisors Overcharge For
• The VA Claims Playbook: Understanding The System, Building Your Case, And Fighting For The Benefits You Earned
• The Discipline of Thought: A Return To Reason
• The Veteran Roadmap: Rebuilding Your Life After The Military
• The Day Everything Changed: How Insurance Protects The Life You’ve Built