Fractional operations, product strategy, and backend optimization for modern brands and services.
We help founders increase profit by understanding and improving what happens behind the scenes.
Selected clients: Healthy Roots Dolls, Zileej, QueenTape, Ginja Snap
Experience with Fortune 50, YC, and SoftBank-backed companies.
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About
RIC is a boutique consulting practice focused on backend systems.
We help founders increase profit by understanding and improving what happens behind the scenes. About the Studio RIC is a boutique consulting practice focused on building the backend systems that keep businesses operational and profitable. We work on supply chain design, process improvement, cost control, fulfillment, and operational strategy. Led by Alessandra Szul, RIC works across CPG, retail, logistics, beauty, tech, and service-based businesses. Alessandra has supported companies ranging from Fortune 50s to single-location salons, including SoftBank-backed and Y Combinator startups. She’s worked on launch strategy, product development, and management at an international scale. She built and sold an asset-based logistics company, holds a Master’s in Supply Chain, and a Bachelor’s in Applied Computer Science. Her background in both technical systems and physical supply chains gives her an edge in eCommerce, operations, and strategy; she understands how things work end-to-end, online and offline. We sleep best at night when we spend our days focusing on structure, systems, and spending money correctly.
Team bios:
Jamila – Demand planning, procurement, etc
Gaïana – Digital strategy and product management, etc
Core Areas of Work
Operations Infrastructure
- Inventory and fulfillment systems
- Supplier and PO management
- Retail compliance, EDI integration, chargeback remediation
- Big box supplier metric monitoring and support
Product and GTM Strategy
- SKU planning and assortment structure
- COGS modeling and pricing logic
- Launch calendars tied to inventory and cash flow
Process Improvement
- Workflow mapping and task clarity
- Margin control
- Waste and delay reduction across teams and systems
International Expansion
- Shopify Markets setup, duties, VAT
- Cross-border logistics and multi-region fulfillment
- International launch planning (MENA, SEA, EU, NA)
Fractional COO
- Weekly strategy and ops support
- Slack/text access for decision-making
- Hiring, systems, and team structure
Client Work
Recent projects include:
- Rebuilt backend structure for a toy company scaling from DTC to Amazon and big box
- Reduced COGS by 20% for a multi-channel CPG brand through sourcing and freight redesign
- Led EDI onboarding and supplier remediation for national retail expansion
- Developed launch workflows and inventory planning tied to TikTok Shop, Walmart, and Shopify
Founder Questions I Help Answer
A running list. Browse by category or scroll through.
[Accordion Dropdowns]
Money & Margin
- Where is my margin going?
- Why am I making money but not seeing it in my bank account?
- Can I afford to pay myself—and how much?
- Should I draw a salary or pay myself in distributions?
- Can I place this next inventory order without wiping out my cash?
Product & Launch
- Should I launch this—or focus on what’s already working?
- What’s the actual landed cost of this SKU, all-in?
- Am I underpricing this product?
- Is this built for retail, DTC, or both?
- What’s the launch timeline—from factory to shelf?
Operations & Fulfillment
- What’s actually breaking behind the scenes?
- Do I need a 3PL—or is it too early?
- How should I be tracking inventory, POs, and reorders?
- Why does everything feel reactive every time we grow?
- How do I prepare systems for Q4 without melting down?
Retail & Global Expansion
- Should I launch in this region—or wait?
- How do I handle duties, VAT, and fulfillment across markets?
- Can I make this wholesale offer work without draining cash?
- What’s the difference between Shopify Markets and full localization?
- What should retail margins actually look like in international markets?
COGS & Pricing
- What’s my real COGS—not just production, but all-in?
- Is this product actually profitable—or just popular?
- How do I explain my unit economics to a buyer or investor?
Hiring & Team Structure
- Am I ready to hire—or just overwhelmed?
- What should this person actually own?
- Should I hire full-time, part-time, or freelance?
- How do I onboard someone without babysitting them?
Strategic Growth
- What are the top 3 fixes that would unlock growth right now?
- Am I doing too much at once?
- How do I scale without bloating the team?
- Should I raise money—or fix what I already have?
- What’s my breakeven point on this new channel?
Service Business
- How do I move from freelance to owning a space?
- Am I charging enough for what I’m doing?
- How do I stop doing everything myself?
- Should I bring on another provider—or raise my rates?
Transition & Rebuild
- I’m burnt out. Is this business still working for me?
- How do I rebuild with better systems after starting scrappy?
- How do I take a step back without the business falling apart?
- What does it look like to run a business that doesn’t depend on me?
Quiet Questions People Still Ask
- Can I afford maternity leave—or will everything fall apart?
- Do I need to get a job again?
- Is it embarrassing to still fulfill orders from my house?
- Is it normal to feel this disorganized?
Work With Us
We work best with teams who are ready to build systems that scale.
You’re a fit if:
- You’re spending too much time on things someone else should own
- You’ve outgrown your current setup, and you know it
- You’re preparing for launch, expansion, or team growth and need backend clarity
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Optional: project intake form link or Typeform
Mentorship
📍 Mentorship (as available)
We offer free mentorship to youth and single moms navigating education, entrepreneurship, or just life. This is not a funnel or a formal program—it’s support for those who need it, from someone who’s rebuilt their life more than once.
Contact
For consulting or collaboration:
📩 your@email.com
LinkedIn link if desired