At Plan + Pivot Collective, we’re retail consultants helping consumer brands grow smarter. We help founders and retail leaders move with clarity and confidence.
From assortment and merchandising strategy to planning, operations, and team leadership, our consulting services meet you where you are and move you quickly to where you want to go.
How It Works
Step 1: Start with a focused session.
We dig into your single biggest challenge in a focused 2-hour Smart Start session. You leave with a clear read on what is holding growth back and one concrete move to make right away. No drawn-out discovery, no fluff.
Step 2: Diagnose the real problem.
We read your real numbers, including sell-through, inventory, margin, and assortment, to pinpoint exactly where cash and growth are leaking. Most founders are surprised by what the data reveals.
Step 3: Build the plan.
We design the assortment, open-to-buy, and planning systems your brand needs, sized to your stage and built to run inside the tools you already use. Practical and ready to execute, not a theoretical deck.
Step 4: Run it with your team.
We embed with your team to put the plan into action, set the weekly cadence that keeps it on track, and hand over an engine your team can run long after we step out.
Smart Start
Singular Support | From $500/session
Bring your biggest challenge to a focused, 2-hour working session and leave with a prioritized set of moves and the clarity to act.
Growth Track | $1,500/month
Mid-level support to keep your strategy in motion.
3 x 30-minute calls per month
1 x 55-minute monthly reset call
1 semi-custom strategic tool per month
Ideal for hands-on operators who want structure, mindful check-ins, and accountability.
Strategic Partner | $2,500/month
High-touch guidance + implementation tools.
3 x 30-minute calls per month
1 x 55-minute monthly reset call
1 fully custom strategic tool per month
1 15-minute on-demand sync per month
Voice note feedback as needed
Monthly mini audit
Ideal for: founders ready for a strategic partner in their pocket.
Focused Growth
6 Weeks+ | From $6,000
Custom tools, smart strategy, and hands-on support to move your business and team forward, built for where you are now and where you're headed next.
Customizable ways we can help you
Strategy Audits
Quick Build Workshops
Brand Intensives
Short-Term Strategy Sprints
VIP Day Intensives
Open-to-Buy (OTB) Planning
Demand Forecasting & Inventory Planning
Markdown & Margin Optimization
Assortment & Line Planning
Vendor Sourcing & Negotiation
Retail Math & KPI Dashboards
Quarterly Business Coaching
Product Development + Launch Strategy
Retail + E-Commerce Packaging
Merchandising + Assortment Planning Consultation
Fractional Leadership
8 Weeks+ | Starting at $12,000/mo
Executive-level guidance, bespoke tools, and short-term embedded support. Custom-designed to lead, build, and optimize your business from the inside out.
Customizable ways we can help you
Executive Advisory
White Space + Product Expansion Strategy
KPI + Profitability Optimization
Retail Leadership + Org Optimization
Retail Innovation + Trend Forecasting
Custom Tool Builds + Training
Integrated Planning Services
White-Labeled Strategic Services
Fractional Leadership Roles
"Julie brings a rare blend of strategic vision, commercial instinct, and creative leadership. She consistently balances the art and science of merchandising, aligning business goals with customer delight. Her collaborative style fosters both innovation and results, and her ability to connect big-picture strategy with bottom-line performance makes her an invaluable partner."
— former colleague, bath & body works
“Carolyn makes thoughtful, data-driven decisions, remains agile in a fast-paced environment, and confidently navigates ambiguity. She is more than a strong leader - she is a true driver of business growth.”
— former colleague, Abercrombie & fitch
Our Services
Frequently Asked Questions
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We work with founders, operators, and senior leaders at product-first brands—especially those in growth mode, transition, or preparing for something new. If you care deeply about your product and your customer, we’re probably a great fit.
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We’ve worked with everything from early-stage startups to scaled omnichannel retailers. The common thread? Our clients want to grow with purpose—not chaos. They value strategy, momentum, and clear execution.
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We don’t offer equity-based or commission-based pricing at this time. Our model is clean, clear, and built around value—not volume.
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Engagements start at $500 for a focused 2-hour working session, $6,000 for time-bound Focused Growth projects, and $12,000/month for embedded Fractional Leadership, with ongoing monthly support options in between. Most fractional engagements run $12,000–25,000/month. Every engagement is scoped to your brand’s stage and goals.
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Most clients start with a Smart Start — a focused 2-hour working session ($500) that gives you clarity and a clear next step. From there, we scope a Focused Growth project (from $6,000) or move into Fractional Leadership (from $12,000/mo) depending on what your brand needs. Book a discovery call and we’ll figure out the right fit together.
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Smart Start = A single 2-hour working session ($500) — fast, focused, and actionable.
Focused Growth = A time-bound project (starting at $6,000) — deeper work over several weeks on one defined area.
Fractional Leadership = Ongoing embedded support (starting at $12,000/mo) — strategic partnership without the full-time hire.
Not sure which fits? We’re happy to help you figure out what makes the most sense for where you are.
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We bring real operator experience, merchandising instinct, and strategic precision—without the bloated decks or generic playbooks. We move fast, think like founders, and care deeply about the product and customer experience, just like you do.
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Yes and yes. We often work across functions—supporting founders, merchandising, planning, and marketing teams at the same time. We’ll tailor the scope, deliverables, and touchpoints so each team gets what they need without adding complexity or noise.
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Yes. Our Growth Track and Strategic Partner monthly tiers, along with Fractional Leadership engagements (from $12,000/mo), are designed for brands who need ongoing strategic partnership—without the full-time hire. Most fractional seats run $12,000–25,000/month depending on scope.
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That’s exactly why we exist. Whether you're mid-pivot, mid-growth, or figuring it out as you go—we help you get clear, stay focused, and adjust as needed. Most clients evolve their scope as we work together, and we build with that kind of flexibility in mind.
Smarter Strategy Starts Here
