In 2018, my partner and I were consulting for large corporations, helping them solve complex problems and optimize their operations. We also owned our own businesses and had a network of fellow entrepreneurs and small business owners. Through these relationships, we noticed something troubling: despite their dedication and hard work, small business owners were struggling with the same issues we were solving for big companies. But unlike large corporations, these entrepreneurs didn’t have the resources—time, money, or personnel—to tackle these challenges effectively.
The problem became clear: small business owners didn’t have the luxury to hire consultants for weeks at a time, nor could they justify the ROI of such an investment. At the same time, many of them were working 50–60 hours a week just to keep their businesses running. There was simply no room for them to invest another 40 hours like a consultant would, and without additional cash flow, they couldn’t afford risky expenses like ad spend.
We knew we had to come up with a solution that would address these issues head-on. We asked ourselves: How can we create a system that drives quick profit increases, requires minimal time, and doesn’t rely on costly ad spend?
The result was the Impact 20—a system focused on the top 20% of impact areas that would boost net profit with the least amount of effort. We built an entire program with step-by-step action items, allowing business owners to work through these tasks in just 2 hours a week. To ensure that business owners understood the “why” behind each step, we created a learning library with quick 10-minute lessons, alongside additional resources like a full marketing section, a "virtual MBA," and a Financial Acumen course.
But like any good idea, it needed to be tested and refined. In those early days, we ran the system with friends and family, making adjustments based on their experiences. During this process, we identified a major flaw: not every business could start at step 1 and follow a cookie-cutter sequence. Different businesses had different needs, and a one-size-fits-all approach wasn’t going to deliver the best results.
That’s when we built a comprehensive assessment that could be completed in less than an hour. The assessment generates a custom roadmap for each business, prioritizing the specific steps that will have the greatest impact based on their unique circumstances. This personalized approach ensured that every business owner could get the maximum ROI as quickly as possible.
Finally, we were ready to go live with real businesses outside our close circle. We opened up applications to test the system with five experienced business owners, each with over 10 years in the game—some even owned multiple businesses. These entrepreneurs had already beaten the odds, given that only 50% of businesses make it to year 5 and just 30% make it to year 10. They were doing a lot of things right, but they still saw massive results. Within a year, every one of these businesses increased their net profits by over $100K.
This success became a key part of our marketing and guarantee. The Impact 20 system isn’t just another theory—it’s a proven, reliable framework that drives real results. Now, we’re offering this system to small business owners who are ready to break through their plateaus, reclaim their time, and achieve the growth they’ve always wanted.
I’m Adam Spooner, and I’ve always been drawn to solving problems—the bigger and messier, the better. Over the years, I’ve had my share of successes and failures in business, but every experience sharpened my focus on what truly drives results: clarity, strategy, and ruthless prioritization. I co-founded Pareto Impact Consulting because I saw too many entrepreneurs spinning their wheels, working harder and longer without seeing the growth or freedom they deserved.
In 2018, while consulting for large corporations alongside running my own business, I saw the same challenges cropping up for smaller business owners. The difference? These entrepreneurs didn’t have the resources—money, time, or people—that big companies do. It wasn’t enough to tell them what to do; they needed a system that worked for them, not against them. That’s how Impact 20 was born.
I designed the system with one goal in mind: to make the biggest impact on a business’s profitability with the least amount of time and effort. I’ve lived the reality of wearing too many hats, juggling priorities, and feeling stretched thin. That’s why Impact 20 is built on a principle I stand by: focusing on the 20% of actions that drive 80% of the results.
My approach is straightforward: no fluff, no wasted time—just actionable steps that deliver measurable results. I believe in teaching business owners to take control of their operations, improve cash flow, and, most importantly, reclaim their time. Whether you’re just getting started or have been in the game for decades, I’m here to help you cut through the noise and create lasting change.
If you’re ready to stop chasing your business and start running it, let’s get to work.