Scaling Up Mastermind – Your Path to $10M+
Most founders hit a wall at $3M-$5M. Growth stalls. Cash flow gets tight. Scaling past $10M? Feels out of reach. Sound familiar?
Here’s the truth: You’re not the problem.
You’ve worked hard to get here.
But the systems that got you to $3M won’t get you to $10M.
So, you end up:
Firefighting instead of growing —always solving problems, never scaling.
Struggling to find & keep top talent —good people leave, bad fits stick around.
Worrying about cash flow —profits feel unpredictable even when revenue is solid.
Drowning in complexity —decisions take longer, problems multiply.
Watching AI change everything —but unsure how to use it to scale.
And the worst part? Nobody handed you the playbook for this.
That’s Why I Built The Scaling Up Mastermind
A 12-month, high-impact mastermind designed to help ambitious founders cut through the chaos, fix what’s broken, and install the exact systems to scale beyond $10M—without losing their minds.
Is This Program Right for You?
You're the perfect fit if you:
Feel overwhelmed - stuck managing chaos instead of driving growth.
Struggle to attract and retain top talent - aligned with your vision.
Worry about revenue risks and don’t have a clear plan for growth.
Lose sleep over cash flow issues - aligned with your vision.
Have big dreams but feel stuck - you know your business has more potential, but the “how” is unclear.
Enjoy learning in a group setting - ou value peer accountability and support.If any of this resonates, keep reading.
If any of this resonates, keep reading.
Meet Your SCALiNG UP PARTNER
I’m Cruz, founder of Ascend Growth Ventures
I help businesses scale beyond $10M+ by optimizing cash flow, aligning high-performing teams, and implementing scalable systems for profitable and sustainable growth.
Using Scaling Up (Verne Harnish) as a core framework, I remove bottlenecks and drive execution. For visionary founders, I integrate Exponential Organizations (Salim Ismail) principles—leveraging technology, automation, and new business models to achieve 10x impact and valuation.
Smart, high-leverage decisions—not just harder work—unlock exponential growth.
Why Work With Me?
I spent 20+ years mastering finance, strategy, and scaling businesses at GE. Then I left corporate to figure out what actually works when scaling fast.I built Ascend Growth Ventures to help 10,000 entrepreneurs like you break through growth barriers with clarity, confidence, and profit.
And I bring you the best of both worlds:
Powerful Frameworks
We specialize in guiding impact-driven entrepreneurs to scale profitably and sustainably—leveraging frameworks like Scaling Up, Exponential Organizations, and 10x Thinking to turn bold ideas into measurable results
Powerful Ideas
With a focus on 10x thinking, we foster bold strategies that integrate purpose-driven goals with data-informed decisions, enabling your businesses to differentiate and achieve meaningful impact
Powerful Experiences
Our expertise spans financial acumen, operational insight, and a growth mindset, delivering tailored coaching and actionable solutions to navigate challenges and unlock exponential results.
This isn’t theory. This isn’t generic coaching. This is a proven system for sustainable, high-impact growth.This is the exact framework I use with my private clients—and now, you can get it too, while networking and learning from other CEOs and founders like you.
How the Scaling Up Mastermind Works
A 12-month program, built on four transformational stages to help you install the right systems, remove bottlenecks, and scale beyond $10M with confidence.
Stage 1: Foundation & Quick Wins
(Month 1-3)
Shift your mindset from operator to CEO to unlock scalable profitability
Diagnose the biggest constraints holding your business back
Identify low-hanging fruit for immediate revenue & cash flow gains
Implement accountability rhythms that keep your team aligned
Stage 2: Scaling Execution & Team (Month 4-6)
Build a leadership team that scales with you—who owns execution so you don’t have to.
Implement AI & automation tools to improve efficiency.
Master Topgrading hiring to attract & retain A-players.
Streamline operations—reduce complexity and free up your time.
Stage 3: Strategy & Exponential Growth (Month 7-9)
Define your Category of One positioning to dominate your market.
Develop a scalable growth model—increasing revenue without increasing chaos.
Install Exponential Thinking—leveraging AI, partnerships, and global talent.
Build repeatable systems for marketing & lead generation.
Stage 4: Financial Mastery & 10x Execution (Month 10-12)
Implement financial dashboards—gain real-time control over cash flow.
Build a predictable profit engine—strong margins, smart capital allocation.
Strengthen your business valuation for funding or future exit.
Create a CEO operating system that allows you to step back and scale effortlessly.
This is the roadmap to a $10M+ business.
Our Scaling Up Mastermind Guarantee
We Guarantee You’ll Get 3x the Value—Or We’ll Keep Working with You Until You Do.
We stand behind the impact of the Scaling Up Mastermind because we’ve seen it work—again and again—for founders who commit to the process. Here’s our Scaling Up Promise:
3x ROI Guarantee
If you fully engage in the program, attend the sessions, and implement the strategies—and you don’t see at least a 3x return on your investment in measurable business growth (revenue, profitability, or cash flow)—we’ll keep working with you at no additional cost until you do.
Clarity and Confidence Guarantee
From Day 1, you’ll gain clarity on your biggest growth opportunities, a step-by-step roadmap to scale, and ongoing support from me and your mastermind peers. If after the first 30 days you’re not confident in the value of the program, you can walk away and apply your remaining balance to another Ascend Growth Ventures program or service—no hard feelings.
Founder Focus Guarantee
You will never feel like a number in this mastermind. You’ll get direct attention, tailored guidance, and practical tools to scale your business with precision and purpose.
How It Works:
Show up, do the work, and implement the strategies we design together.
If you don’t see at least a 3x ROI (based on your KPIs), we continue working with you for free until you do.
If after 30 days you decide the Mastermind isn’t for you, we’ll apply your investment to another coaching or advisory service —because we want to create win-win partnerships , not lock you into something that doesn’t serve you.
What’s Next?
We’re opening this 12-month mastermind to 10 founders ready to take the next step. This is an opportunity to work closely with me and other growth-minded entrepreneurs to create the clarity, systems, and network you need to scale your business beyond $10M.
If you want in, Apply Now.Spots are limited, so act now if you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels and start scaling with purpose.
If you have more questions click Here.
Onward and Upward, Let's Go!
TESTIMONIALS
Real Results from Scaling CEOs 🚀
“Helped Us Scale to Multiple Eight Figures”
Bobby Suarez
CEO, Sell to Bobby
Cruz Gamboa is an exceptional Scaling Up coach with extensive CFO experience. He has been instrumental in scaling our real estate investment business to multiple eight figures by enhancing our forecasting, business intelligence, and core values.
“Helped us zero in on what truly matters”
Rich Cohen
President & CEO of Elevate Packaging
Cruz’s strategic guidance and financial expertise have been pivotal in scaling Elevate Packaging to new heights, aligning our mission to eliminate plastic waste with effective business operations. His empowerment has been instrumental in our growth.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Mastermind
1️⃣ “Will this work for my industry?”
Yes! Scaling Up and CFO-led financial strategy are industry-agnostic frameworks that work across service-based, tech, manufacturing, and product-driven businesses. If you’re generating $3M-$10M+ in revenue and want to scale beyond that, this program is designed to help you remove bottlenecks, optimize cash flow, and create a sustainable growth roadmap.
2️⃣ “I’m too busy. How much time will this take?”
I get it—you're already stretched thin. That’s exactly why this program exists. Instead of adding more to your plate, we focus on fixing the systems, financials, and strategy so your business runs without you being the bottleneck.
✅ Scaling Up Mastermind → 90-minute weekly sessions (with recordings available)
✅ Strategy Reviews → 1-2 days monthly or quarterly
✅ CFO-Level Support → Custom engagements based on your needsMinimal time, maximum impact.
3️⃣ “What if I fall behind?”
Not a problem. All core sessions are recorded, and you’ll have access to tools, templates, and support to catch up anytime. Plus, you’ll be in a peer community that keeps you accountable and moving forward.
4️⃣ “How do I know I’ll get results?”
Because this is NOT just theory—we focus on real execution and financial outcomes. Plus, our 3x ROI Guarantee ensures that if you fully engage and don’t see results, we’ll keep working with you until you do.
5️⃣ “What makes this different from other coaching programs?”
This isn’t just another business coaching program. Unlike most coaches, I bring CFO-level financial expertise into the equation, ensuring your scaling strategy is backed by data, cash flow insights, and sustainable growth planning.
✅ Scaling Up + CFO Expertise = More Profits, Less Chaos
✅ Not just ideas—real implementation & execution support
✅ A proven track record of helping founders scale profitably
6️⃣ “What if I’m not sure this is right for me?”
That’s exactly why I offer a free Strategy Call. No pressure, no commitments—just a conversation to see if this is the right fit for your business. Book a call today, and let’s figure it out together.
7️⃣ “Is my business information kept confidential?”
Absolutely. Confidentiality is a top priority. Every participant signs a strict NDA to protect sensitive business information. Plus, we carefully curate each cohort to ensure there are no direct competitors, creating a safe, open space for strategic discussions.
8️⃣ “What happens after the 12-month mastermind?”
Growth doesn’t stop after a year. Many founders choose to continue working together, transforming the mastermind into a trusted accountability group and a strategic board of advisors. This ensures you stay on track, tackle new challenges, and sustain momentum with a tight-knit group of like-minded, growth-focused leaders.
9️⃣ “What if I have a specific challenge that’s not covered in the mastermind roadmap?”
The mastermind is designed to cover the core areas of Scaling Up, financial strategy, and leadership growth, but we know every business has unique challenges. That’s why we offer dedicated Q&A sessions, personalized feedback, and optional 1:1 advisory add-ons to ensure you get the targeted support you need. If a specific topic isn’t covered in the roadmap, we’ll make space to address it!
🔟 “How do I know that Cruz is the right person to lead this mastermind?”
Great question. Scaling a business isn’t just about theory—it’s about experience, execution, and results.
✅ Deep Financial & Strategic Expertise – As a Strategic CFO and Scaling Up Coach, Cruz has spent his career helping businesses optimize cash flow, scale profitably, and build high-performing teams.
✅ Proven Frameworks, Not Guesswork – He combines Scaling Up, Exponential Organizations (ExO), and CFO-level financial strategy to give you a real, data-driven roadmap for growth.
✅ Real-World Results – Cruz has worked with mid-market companies scaling from $3M to $10M+, solving cash flow bottlenecks, leadership challenges, and operational inefficiencies.
✅ A Founder Like You – He understands the pressures of leadership and scaling because he’s been in the trenches—helping businesses navigate growth challenges firsthand.