We Started With a Simple Question
Why does business strategy feel so disconnected from reality?
Back in 2019, we noticed something odd. Plenty of consultants talked about grand visions and transformation. But when you asked about cash flow next quarter or how to handle that difficult client conversation, the room went quiet.
So we built something different. kynarethos exists because strategy should work on Monday morning, not just in boardrooms. We focus on the actual decisions business owners in Tasmania face when payroll is due and opportunities knock at inconvenient times.
What Drives Us Forward
Real Numbers, Real Choices
We don't deal in metaphors when it comes to finances. Your situation has actual numbers attached—revenue, margins, debt service. Our work starts with those specifics and builds outward to strategy that fits your reality, not someone else's template.
Context Matters More Than Models
Tasmania's business environment has its own rhythm. Seasonal variations, regional supply chains, the dynamics of smaller markets. What works brilliantly in Melbourne might flop here. We pay attention to where you actually operate, not where business school case studies were written.
Honest Conversations Over Easy Answers
Sometimes the right move is uncomfortable. Sometimes you need to hear that expansion isn't smart yet, or that the profitable project doesn't align with where you want to go. We'd rather have tough discussions early than watch preventable problems unfold.
How We Got Here
Building a business strategy practice from scratch teaches you things textbooks skip over. Here's what shaped our approach along the way.
The Beginning
Started with three clients and a conviction that financial strategy shouldn't require translating consultant-speak. We set up shop in Riverside and focused on agricultural businesses first, mostly because that's who knocked on our door.
Broadening Scope
Tourism operators and retailers started asking for help navigating the strange economics of those years. We learned fast that flexibility matters more than rigid planning frameworks when everything keeps changing.
Building Systems
Realized we kept solving similar problems with custom solutions. Developed our core methodology for financial assessment and strategic planning that could adapt across different industries while staying grounded in fundamentals.
Today
We work with manufacturing, professional services, retail, and agriculture. The industries vary but the core challenges remain consistent—managing resources, making smart timing decisions, balancing growth with stability. We've just gotten better at recognizing patterns.
How We Actually Work
Our process isn't complicated. We look at where you are, figure out where you want to go, and map the steps that make financial sense. The trick is doing it without pretending we have magic answers.
Start With Current State
First week is all questions. We dig into your financial position, operations, market dynamics, and what keeps you up at night. No assumptions until we understand your specific situation thoroughly.
Identify Real Constraints
Every business has limits—capital, capacity, market size, timing. We map those clearly because strategy that ignores constraints is just wishful thinking. Sometimes the constraint becomes the opportunity.
Build Options, Test Assumptions
We model different paths forward with actual numbers attached. Then we stress-test the assumptions because the future likes surprising people. You need plans that can handle some surprises without falling apart.
Implement, Monitor, Adjust
Strategy means nothing until you execute it. We help with implementation planning and set up monitoring so you know when things drift off track. Then we adjust, because they always drift eventually.
Who You'll Work With
We're a small team, which means you won't get shuffled to junior staff after the first meeting. The person you talk to at the start is the person who does the work.
Elspeth Kirkwood
Senior Strategy Consultant
Elspeth spent fifteen years in corporate finance before moving to Tasmania and realizing small business strategy is far more interesting than quarterly reports for shareholders who never visit. She specializes in manufacturing and retail, with a particular talent for finding efficiency gains that don't require massive capital investment.
Ready to Talk Strategy?
If you're working on growth plans, facing a major decision, or just want someone to review your numbers with fresh eyes, we should talk. First conversation is always straightforward—no sales pressure, just discussion about whether we can help.