Level Upkes

Name: Level Upkes
Address: 4030 NW 75th Avenue, Camas, WA, 98607, US
Telephone: (360) 901-8742

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We help CEOs and leadership teams turn strategy into ex*****on. You don’t need another strategy. You need a leadership team that can actually execute it.

As your Strategic Growth Partner, Level Upkes builds Transparent, Cohesive & Aligned teams that create sustainable growth, stronger performance, and greater freedom. I’m a Strategic Growth Partner to CEOs and leadership teams navigating the complexity of scaling. With over 30 years of experience in business and financial management, I started in 2003, building a fractional CFO firm. By 2005, it became clear that financial insight alone wasn’t enough. Companies didn’t just need better numbers—they needed alignment, accountability, and a way to actually follow through. That realization is what ultimately led to what is now Level Upkes. At Level Upkes, we partner with growth-stage companies to lead fully and scale freely, without burning out in the process. This isn’t traditional coaching. We step in as a true extension of your team, helping you set direction, align leadership, and execute with discipline. Our work is grounded in proven frameworks like Metronomics and Scaling Up, combined with over two decades of real-world experience. The focus is simple: build leadership teams that are Transparent, Cohesive, and Aligned, because that’s what drives sustainable growth. Over the years, I’ve worked with hundreds of companies across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Regardless of size or stage, the patterns are consistent: misalignment slows progress, lack of focus creates friction, and ex*****on breaks down when accountability isn’t strong enough. That’s where I come in. I work alongside leadership teams to identify what’s really holding the business back, often the things that aren’t being said, and turn that into clear priorities, stronger decisions, and forward momentum. The result: better financial performance, improved cash flow, more effective teams, and businesses that run with greater control, so leaders can get their time back and focus on what matters most. If you’re building something meaningful and want a partner to help you scale it with intention, let’s connect.

10/22/2026

Sometimes the most valuable thing a leadership team needs to hear is the hard truth.

Last month, I was facilitating a session with one of the strongest leadership teams I've worked with in my 21 years of advising businesses.

This is an exceptional team. Talented leaders, a successful organization, and a track record of working well together.

But even the best teams can lose alignment...

As the day progressed, I noticed something shifting.

One leader was challenging another in a way I hadn't seen from this group before. The other was becoming visibly defensive. Comments were being made that suggested some underlying friction.

The dynamic was changing, and not for the better.

So I did something that wasn't on the agenda...

I stopped the session.

I put a note on our discussion board: "Leadership Team Dynamic & Alignment"

And I told them what I was seeing.

I challenged them on how they were communicating, how they were responding to one another, and how their behavior was beginning to undermine the very cohesion that had made them so successful.

It wasn't necessarily a comfortable conversation. But it was an important one.

We spent the next 45 minutes having an honest discussion about what was happening within the team.

And something remarkable happened.

The energy shifted. The defensiveness disappeared. The team began communicating with the transparency, respect, and accountability I knew they were capable of.

At the end of every session, I ask each person to share their biggest takeaway from the day.

Typically, I get a variety of answers. This time, every single person gave the same response:

The conversation about their team dynamic was the most valuable part of the day.

The CEO even thanked me for calling it out, acknowledging that it was exactly what the team needed at exactly the right time.

That moment reinforced something I've believed throughout my career:

Even the strongest leadership teams have blind spots.

When you're deeply involved in running and growing a business, it can be difficult to recognize the patterns, behaviors, and dynamics that may be holding your team back.

That's where an outside perspective makes a difference.

My role as a Strategic Growth Partner isn't simply to facilitate planning sessions or help develop growth strategies.

It's to challenge assumptions, identify what others may be too close to see, and have the difficult conversations that move leaders and organizations forward.

Because sustainable growth requires more than a great strategy.

It requires a leadership team that's transparent, cohesive, and aligned enough to execute it.

Sometimes, you have to Slow Down to Speed Up, and that starts with telling the hard truth.

The question is: Does your leadership team have someone willing to challenge what others may be too close to see?

If you're a CEO or business owner looking to strengthen your leadership team, uncover blind spots, and turn strategy into ex*****on, let's have a conversation.

10/15/2026

What a fantastic week connecting with and celebrating the Vancouver business community! ✨

The Level Upkes team had the pleasure of attending two wonderful Greater Vancouver Chamber events this week!

🍷 GVC After Hours at Maryhill Winery: A great evening of networking, meaningful conversations, and strengthening relationships with fellow business professionals.

🏆 GVC Business & Leadership Awards at The Heathman Lodge: An inspiring celebration recognizing the outstanding businesses, leaders, and organizations making a difference in Southwest Washington. Congratulations to all of this year's nominees and award recipients!

At Level Upkes, we believe strong relationships are at the heart of strong businesses. That's why we value being part of such a collaborative and supportive business community.

We're grateful for the opportunity to connect with so many incredible people who share a commitment to leadership, growth, and making our community a better place to live and work.

Special thanks to the Greater Vancouver Chamber, the event organizers, and the generous sponsors who make these opportunities possible.

Cheers to continuing to build meaningful connections, celebrating great leadership, and growing stronger together! 🥂

10/13/2026

The Real Value of Getting Your Team Together...

It was a beautiful fall evening in Whitefish, Montana. The sky was blue, the sun was setting, and the air was crisp.

We pulled up to North Star Ranch, about 10 miles outside Whitefish, and heard the buzz of conversation as we walked down the hill.

35 team members were sitting outside, talking, laughing, relaxing, and genuinely enjoying each other's company.

This was our client Wilderness Medical Staffing's (WMS) annual all-team retreat.

What makes this remarkable is that WMS is a 100% remote company. Every team member works from home.

And yet, this is one of the most connected, cohesive teams I've had the privilege of working with.

I've been doing this work for more than 21 years, and I can tell you that a culture like this doesn't happen by accident.

They have an incredible group of A-players. But what really sets them apart is their character, their relationships, and the way they show up for one another.

Bringing the entire team together each year is a big part of that.

The leadership team at Elite365 understands something I wish more business leaders recognized: Investing in your people and culture is an investment in your business's success.

At Level Upkes, we've had the privilege of being part of these retreats for four years now.

We work with the leadership team on quarterly planning using our "Slow Down to Speed Up" approach. Then, on the final day, we bring everyone together for team-building, inspiration, and fun.

But some of the most powerful moments happen outside of anything we facilitate.

Watching teammates share stories, dance together, laugh until they cry, and sometimes just cry.

Watching people feel comfortable enough to be vulnerable with one another.

Watching coworkers who have become genuine friends.

That's culture. That's trust. That's what a truly cohesive team looks like.

When I talk with business owners about taking their teams offsite, I often hear:
"That sounds great, Keith, but we just can't afford it."

I understand. Bringing everyone together takes time, money, and planning.

But I'd challenge leaders to ask a different question:
What's the cost of NOT investing in your team?
What's the cost of a disconnected culture? Poor communication? Misalignment? People who never really get to know or trust their teammates?

WMS is living proof that making your people and culture a priority pays off. Their results, both in team strength and business success, speak for themselves.

To the entire WMS team, congratulations on another incredible retreat! We love this team and can't wait to see the impact you continue to make in rural and remote communities.

And to the business owners and leaders reading this:
Don't underestimate the power of getting your people together.

Sometimes you have to "Slow Down to Speed Up".

Thinking about bringing your team together for a meaningful retreat? Let's talk! I'd love to help.

09/29/2026

Have you ever sponsored a hole at a golf tournament?

Yesterday was the first for Level Upkes ⛳️

Being a 2004 graduate of Leadership Clark County, I felt it only fitting that we get involved and give something back to the program & community that has given so much to me. We loved the day at the John McKibbin Leadership Classic!

The tournament honors John McKibbin, one of the founders of Leadership Clark County, and the impact he made through leadership and service to our community. We loved having the opportunity to be a small part of continuing that legacy.

We had great conversations, made several new meaningful connections, had plenty of laughs, and couldn’t have asked for a better day out on the course. The only thing that would have made it better was actually playing.

A big thank you to Tina Krause and Leadership Clark County for putting together such a fantastic event, and to everyone who stopped by hole number 8 to say hello!

We’re already looking forward to next year ⛳️

09/24/2026

What a great morning!

On Tuesday, Level Upkes partnered with the Greater Vancouver Chamber and Columbia Credit Union for our Business Workshop: Reset Your Q4 Priorities & Build Momentum for 2027.

We spent the morning doing something that can be surprisingly hard when you’re busy running a business, leading a team, or simply keeping up with everything on your plate: stepping out of the day-to-day to think intentionally about what comes next.

Instead of waiting until January to start thinking about 2027, attendees took time to look at where they are today, identify what matters most between now and the end of the year, and determine what they can start putting in motion NOW to create a stronger start to 2027.

They walked away with:
✅ Greater clarity around their most important priorities
✅ A practical action plan for the remainder of 2026
✅ Specific steps they can begin taking immediately
✅ More focus on what deserves their time and attention, and what doesn’t
✅ Momentum heading into the new year

One of my favorite things about workshops like this is watching the shift that happens when people give themselves permission to get out of the weeds and think bigger.

January doesn’t have to be the starting line.
There are still more than three months left in 2026, and what we do with them matters.

A huge thank you to the Greater Vancouver Chamber and Columbia Credit Union for partnering with us, and to everyone who joined us Tuesday morning and brought their ideas, questions, and energy to the room.

If your organization or leadership team could benefit from creating this same kind of clarity and focus heading into 2027, let’s talk. We’d love to bring a conversation like this to your team.

Finish 2026 with focus. Start 2027 with momentum.

Keith

09/21/2026

Don’t wait until January to start planning for 2027.

There’s still time to register for tomorrow’s workshop!

I’m excited to be partnering with the Greater Vancouver Chamber and Columbia Credit Union for an interactive workshop designed to help you finish 2026 with focus and head into 2027 with momentum.

Start 2027 Before It Starts!

Q4 can quickly turn into a race to finish everything on the list. But sometimes the most valuable thing we can do is step out of the day-to-day, take an honest look at where we are, and get intentional about what deserves our attention next.

During tomorrow’s workshop, I’ll help you:
✅ Identify the priorities that matter most through the end of 2026
✅ Turn those priorities into a practical action plan
✅ Determine what you can put in motion now to create a stronger start to 2027

Whether you lead a business or nonprofit, manage a department or team, own a specific role, or simply want to grow professionally, you’ll walk away with greater clarity, focus, and a plan you can begin using immediately.

Finish 2026 with focus. Start 2027 with momentum.

There’s still time to join us tomorrow. I’d love to see you there!

Register here: https://my.vancouverusa.com/event-information?id=a0lVp00000Atp7NIAR

09/17/2026

A great group of A-Players.

At Level Upkes, we always focus on the team first.

Because if you want to build a transparent, cohesive, and aligned organization, you need the right people on the team.

We define an A-Player as someone who is a strong fit for the culture and core values of the organization, is highly motivated and productive, and consistently meets or exceeds expectations.

That’s why I believe culture and core values fit should come before skills and experience when evaluating candidates. Once you know someone fits who you are as an organization, then you can determine whether they have the competencies needed for the role.

This week, I had the opportunity to work with the Fisher Associates team in Rochester, NY, bringing together about 35 leaders from across the organization for quarterly planning.

Fisher understands well that senior leadership doesn’t have all the answers.

To reach an organization's full potential, you have to engage leaders at every level. In fact, some of the best insights often come from the people closest to the work, the teams, and the customers.

That was certainly evident this week.

I was impressed by this group's intellect, curiosity, poise, and tenacity.

They were engaged. They asked great questions. They wanted to learn. They wanted to do great work. And, most importantly, they genuinely care about the people and teams they lead.

That combination leads to ambitious goals and the ability to achieve them.

I’m incredibly proud of this team and grateful for the opportunity to work alongside them and lead them through such an engaging and productive planning session.

And just look at those smiles!

This team is proud of what they’re building, and they should be.

Go Team!

09/11/2026

Last week, we had the opportunity to attend the Portland Business Journal’s 2026 Best Places to Work Awards at the brand-new Hillsboro Hops ballpark.

What a great way to celebrate the organizations creating exceptional workplaces in our community.

We had plenty of opportunities to connect with great people, but what we appreciated most was what the night represented.

Great companies don’t become great places to work by accident...

It takes intentional leadership. It takes listening to your people. It takes building a culture where people feel valued, challenged, supported, and connected to something bigger than themselves.

Congratulations to all of this year’s Best Places to Work honorees. It was great celebrating with you!

And a big thank you to the Portland Business Journal for bringing the business community together for such a fun night.

09/10/2026

Don’t wait until January to start planning for 2027.

There are still nearly four months left in 2026, and what you do with them can have a big impact on how you finish this year and how you start the next one.

We’re excited to partner with the Greater Vancouver Chamber and Columbia Credit Union for an interactive workshop:

Start 2027 Before It Starts!

Q4 can quickly become a race to finish everything on the list. But before year-end mode takes over, it’s worth stepping out of the day-to-day, taking an honest look at where you are, and getting intentional about what deserves your attention next.

Led by Level Upkes Strategic Growth Partner Keith Upkes, this workshop will help you:

✅Identify the priorities that matter most through the end of 2026
✅Turn those priorities into a practical action plan
✅Determine what you can put in motion now to create a stronger start to 2027

Whether you lead a business or nonprofit, manage a department or team, own a specific role, or simply want to grow professionally, you’ll walk away with greater clarity, focus, and a plan you can begin using immediately.

Finish 2026 with focus. Start 2027 with momentum.

We’d love to see you there!

Register here: https://my.vancouverusa.com/event-information?id=a0lVp00000Atp7NIAR

09/08/2026

Summer is winding down, and for many business owners, that means it’s time to shift gears.

Q4 is almost here...
And the way you finish the next few months can have a huge impact on how you enter 2027.

At Level Upkes, we’ve been doing some growing of our own.

Many people still know us as business coaches. And while coaching is absolutely part of what we do, we have evolved into something much bigger.

We are Strategic Growth Partners.

We work alongside established business owners and leadership teams to help them:

✅Build stronger, more accountable teams
✅Improve operations and ex*****on
✅Develop stronger leaders
✅Increase profitability
✅Navigate growth and change
✅Build businesses that can sustainably scale

We don’t simply give advice from the sidelines. We become an extension of your team, helping uncover what’s getting in the way, identify what matters most, and turn strategy into action.

🎥 We put together this short video to share more about who we are, what we do, and how we've evolved.

As you look toward the final stretch of 2026, ask yourself:

What needs to happen between now and December 31st to make 2027 your strongest year yet?

You don’t have to wait until January to start building that momentum.

Let’s finish 2026 strong and start 2027 before it starts.

Keith

Address

4030 NW 75th Avenue
Camas, WA
98607

Telephone

(360) 901-8742

Website

https://www.levelupkes.com/

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