Professional Services
Retail
Consumer Services
Financial Services
Active

Keith Hessel

Fractional CXO | Founder of Serve Business Consulting LLC | Customer/Employee Experience Expert

About Me

Imagine walking into a bustling coffee shop where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the sound of laughter and friendly chatter. That's the kind of atmosphere I help businesses create – a place where customers love to return and employees are excited to work. I'm Keith Hessel, and I've made it my mission to help businesses keep people on both sides of the counter. My journey in customer service began about twenty years ago, and it's been quite the adventure. I've worn many hats – from handling customer retention and sales to managing volunteers and even setting up entire departments dedicated to improving customer experiences. Each role taught me something valuable about what makes people tick and why they choose to stay loyal to a business or organization. As the world was emerging from the shadows of the pandemic, I saw an opportunity. Businesses were struggling to reconnect with their customers and reinvigorate their teams. That's when I founded Serve Business Consulting LLC. My goal? To help businesses in not just recover, but thrive in this new landscape. I developed the SERVE customer service model – Smile, Engage, Relate, Verify, Extra Mile. It's not just a catchy acronym; it's a philosophy that transforms how businesses interact with their customers and employees. Imagine a store where every customer feels like they're visiting an old friend, or a workplace where employees genuinely look forward to Monday mornings. That's the kind of change I help create. My approach is tailored for small, locally owned businesses. Why? Because these businesses are the backbone of our communities, and they have the agility to implement real change quickly. I've seen businesses reduce their marketing budgets by thousands of dollars per month simply by focusing on what their existing customers were telling them. It's amazing what you can achieve when you really listen. I believe that true success in business comes from serving others with excellence and integrity. With every client, my goal is always the same – to help them serve their own small corner of the world with passion and purpose. After all, in the world of business, the best stories are those where everyone wins – customers and employees alike. But it's not just about numbers and strategies. It's about creating a culture of service that extends beyond the workplace. When I'm not helping businesses, you might find me volunteering at my church, cheering on my wife (in the form of wrangling our 6 kids) at her orchestra concerts, or geeking out over the latest Star Trek episode.

Jurisdiction

United States

Notable Employer

  • Member Development Specialist at Christian Care Ministry
  • Member Relationship Specialist at Christian Care Ministry
  • Member Service Representative at Christian Care Ministry

Experience

Seniority LevelDirector
Years of Experience20+ years
Current StatusActive
Founder | Retention Specialist | Fractional CXOServe Business Consulting LLC
2021 - Present

As founder and owner of Serve Business Consulting LLC, I leverage 20 years of customer service expertise to elevate businesses and non-profits in Colorado Springs. Since launching ServeBC in 2021, I've helped organizations not only recover from the Covid-19 pandemic's impact but exceed their pre-pandemic performance. My diverse background spans customer retention, sales, retail, food service, management, and volunteer coordination. I've guided non-profits in expanding volunteer and donor bases, assisted companies in developing SOPs for improved customer and employee retention, and established departments focused on enhancing customer experience. Recently, I introduced training and fractional CXO programs for businesses committed to delivering a "Kingdom Class" experience to all stakeholders. My approach, rooted in "Living to Serve," is passionately shared with clients. At Serve Business Consulting, we tailor solutions to meet each organization's unique needs, whether implementing customer retention strategies, improving employee satisfaction, or optimizing service quality. My goal is to empower businesses to create meaningful, lasting relationships with both customers and employees. We specialize in helping organizations create exceptional experiences that drive loyalty and growth. With a focus on practical, results-driven strategies, I work closely with clients to identify areas for improvement and implement effective solutions. My consulting approach combines data-driven insights with a deep understanding of human behavior and customer psychology. By fostering a culture of service excellence, I help businesses stand out in competitive markets and build strong, sustainable relationships with their stakeholders.

Member Development SpecialistNotableChristian Care Ministry
2022 - 2024

As a Member Development Specialist at Medi-Share, I honed my outside sales skills while educating prospective members on the unique aspects of our healthcare sharing program. This role involved conducting in-depth consultations with individuals and families, explaining how Medi-Share differed from traditional insurance options. I became adept at articulating complex healthcare concepts in an accessible manner, ensuring prospects fully understood the benefits and mechanics of our faith-based healthcare sharing community. By identifying and addressing specific needs and concerns, I built trust and rapport with potential members, leading to increased conversions. I effectively communicated Medi-Share's unique value proposition, including its cost-sharing model, faith-based principles, and commitment to supporting members during medical needs. This experience not only sharpened my sales acumen but also deepened my understanding of the healthcare landscape and alternative healthcare solutions. The skills I developed in this role, particularly in communicating complex ideas and building lasting client relationships, have proven invaluable in my subsequent career endeavors.

Member Relationship SpecialistNotableChristian Care Ministry
2018 - 2022

As a founding member of Medi-Share's Retention Team, I played a key role in shaping our department's success. I'm particularly proud of developing the Retention Playbook, which is still used as the core training program today. It's all about effective communication and creative problem-solving – skills I put to good use in crafting our customer de-escalation and retention processes. Training new team members was a big part of my role, and I loved the one-on-one mentoring. It wasn't just about teaching the technical stuff; it was about instilling the importance of empathy and active listening. These skills are crucial in our field, and I saw firsthand how they translated into results. Speaking of results, I consistently maintained a withdrawal save rate between 18-22%, which is pretty impressive in our industry. In fact, it led to me being named Top Performer in 2019 for the highest save rate in the department. But you know what? It wasn't about the numbers for me. It was about finding innovative ways to keep our members satisfied and loyal. This experience was invaluable in honing my skills in customer service, strategic problem-solving, and leadership. It's been the perfect foundation for my current work in customer and employee retention consulting. I'm always excited to share these insights and help other businesses create their own success stories in customer retention.

Member Service RepresentativeNotableChristian Care Ministry
2018 - 2018

As a Member Service Representative at Medi-Share, I initially focused on providing basic customer service, addressing members' questions and concerns promptly and professionally. This role allowed me to hone my communication skills and develop a deep understanding of our healthcare sharing program. In March 2018, I transitioned to advanced medical bill problem-solving, leveraging my growing expertise in healthcare billing practices and insurance claim procedures. Working closely with members, healthcare providers, and internal teams, I resolved complex billing issues, negotiated fair prices, and ensured our members received optimal care within our cost-sharing community framework. This experience not only enhanced my customer service abilities but also provided valuable insights into the healthcare industry's intricacies. I took pride in guiding members through confusing and stressful medical billing situations, contributing to their peace of mind and financial well-being while deepening my understanding of the healthcare sector.

Account ExecutiveTechnowledge Inc.
2017 - 2018

As a 1099 Account Executive, I wore many hats and made a real impact on our clients' businesses. My role went far beyond just selling IT services – I was a problem solver, a relationship builder, and a key player in shaping our company's customer-centric approach. One of the most rewarding aspects of my job was crafting cost-effective, tailored solutions for each client. I dove deep into understanding their unique challenges and goals, then worked my magic to match them with the perfect IT solutions. It was like being a tech matchmaker, ensuring our clients got exactly what they needed without breaking the bank. I was passionate about elevating the customer experience at every touchpoint. Whether it was a quick check-in call or a full-scale tech overhaul, I went above and beyond to deliver that wow factor. This commitment to exceptional service helped me build a loyal clientele who not only stuck with us but became our biggest advocates. I'm proud to have played a key role in shaping our company's policies around customer experience and retention. By implementing strategies that put our clients at the heart of everything we did, we created a framework that fostered long-lasting relationships. From streamlined communication channels to personalized support plans, these initiatives significantly boosted our customer satisfaction and retention rates. My approach wasn't just about closing deals – it was about building partnerships. I took the time to truly understand each client's business, becoming a trusted advisor they could count on for all their IT needs. This resulted in a growing network of satisfied clients who saw us as an integral part of their success. In this role, I honed my skills in strategic planning, relationship management, and technology consulting. I learned to adapt quickly to the ever-changing tech landscape, always staying one step ahead to ensure our clients had access to the latest and most effective IT solutions.

Account ExecutivePlatinum Relations
2016 - 2016

As a 1099 Account Executive for a local Credit Card Processing provider, I crafted and delivered cost-effective payment processing solutions tailored to each business's unique needs and financial goals. By thoroughly analyzing client operations and market positioning, I ensured that our offerings not only met but exceeded expectations, driving both client satisfaction and company revenue. I consistently provided an elevated customer experience that fostered loyalty and long-term partnerships. My approach centered on active listening, prompt problem-solving, and proactive communication, which resulted in a significant increase in client retention rates and positive referrals. I played a key role in establishing and refining company policies that prioritized customer experience and retention. By leveraging insights from client feedback and industry best practices, I helped create a framework that empowered our team to deliver exceptional service consistently. I cultivated strong, lasting relationships with clients across various industries, becoming a trusted advisor in their payment processing needs. This approach not only enhanced client loyalty but also led to expanded service adoption and increased revenue per account. Staying at the forefront of payment processing trends and technologies allowed me to provide clients with cutting-edge solutions that kept their businesses competitive in an ever-evolving market. This commitment to continuous learning enabled me to offer valuable insights and recommendations that went beyond basic transaction processing, ultimately contributing to the growth and success of both our clients and our company.

Director of Music MinistriesSt. Paul Catholic Church
2012 - 2016

As the full-time Director of Music Ministries at St. Paul Catholic Church in Colorado Springs, I led a transformative expansion of our volunteer music ministry, growing from 8 volunteers across 4 Masses to over 40 active participants. This growth enabled us to enhance our musical offerings and introduce new elements to our liturgies. Concurrently, I pursued personal development, earning the Basic Organist Certification from the National Association of Pastoral Musicians, which improved my skills and allowed me to provide comprehensive training to our volunteer musicians. My role encompassed close collaboration with clergy to align musical selections with the liturgical calendar, organizing rehearsals, workshops, and spiritual retreats for volunteers, and fostering a strong sense of community. I consistently sought innovative approaches to improve our ministry, including introducing diverse sacred music genres, incorporating multilingual selections to reflect our congregation's diversity, and leveraging technology for efficient music planning and scheduling. These efforts not only elevated the quality of our musical worship but also deepened the spiritual experience for our parishioners and created a more engaged and skilled volunteer team.

Education

Diploma of Music Theory and CompositionUniversity of Northern Colorado
2006 - 2012

Certification

Total Certifications2

Lean Six Sigma - Yellow Belt

Mountain Home Training

2019

Credential ID: MHC-2000

Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue

Crucial Learning

2022

Skills

Core skills10
Languages2

Skills

Customer Service
Employee Experience
Training Development
Leadership Development
Problem Solving
Customer Retention
Management
Leadership
Interpersonal Skills
Cold Calling

Languages

English
English (British)

Services