The Grow Expand History & Leadership

Rich Laster is a powerhouse in sales leadership and business growth strategy, with over 26 years of experience helping companies scale revenue, optimize sales processes, and expand into new markets. As the Founder and Chief Revenue Officer of GrowExpand.com, Rich specializes in engineering sales strategies, optimizing sales and marketing alignment, and implementing innovative outreach methodologies to deliver consistent, measurable results – achieving a 200%+ revenue increase for startups, driving 26% year-over-year growth for national clients, and executing regional expansions for EdTech and SaaS firms.

GrowExpand.com caters to businesses at all stages: for early-stage companies, GrowExpand.com offers sales coaching and leadership guidance. For companies needing a sales team to generate and convert leads, GrowExpand.com provides DealGen Pro, which delivers a full sales team led by experienced sales managers. For businesses seeking to break through stalled growth, GrowExpand.com provides Fractional CRO Elite, which aligns sales and marketing for consistent and measurable results.  

Beyond client consulting, Rich is a sought-after speaker, trainer, and podcast host known for his no-nonsense approach to revenue growth. Through his Blunt On Business podcast and dynamic keynote presentations, he cuts through the noise to deliver actionable insights that empower businesses to stop managing sales and start scaling.

A graduate of Temple University, Rich’s expertise is backed by hands-on leadership across industries, including finance, technology, and professional services. His work with the Ben Franklin Technology Partners Investment Review Committee and mentorship at the Urban League Entrepreneurship Institute reflects his commitment to fostering business innovation and success.  His commitment to driving business owner success positions GrowExpand.com as a premier partner for businesses looking to exceed their revenue goals.

Shanté Smith-Daniels, MBA, is a seasoned operations executive and the founder of SSD Consulting, LLC, specializing in fractional COO services for growth-focused organizations. With over 15 years of experience optimizing and scaling both back-end and client-facing business operations, Shanté is recognized for her ability to audit, streamline, and elevate core processes-empowering clients to achieve sustainable growth and scalability.

As a fractional COO, Shanté partners with purpose-driven CEOs and founders, particularly those leading businesses with $5M+ in annual revenue, to identify operational inefficiencies, implement lean business strategies, and align teams around common goals. Her approach is rooted in lean business optimization: conducting comprehensive audits of existing workflows, eliminating waste, and reinforcing the systems and procedures that drive measurable results. This enables leaders to delegate with confidence, focus on strategic priorities, and unlock new levels of performance across their organizations. Shanté’s expertise spans multiple industries and includes hands-on leadership in building high-performing teams, designing scalable systems, and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Her track record includes:

Shanté’s credentials further validate her operational excellence. She is a Certified Employee Engagement Coach, a graduate of the Black British Business Awards Accelerator Cohort, and holds certifications in emotional intelligence, performance management, strategic development, and inbound marketing. Her leadership roles at global organizations like The Economist, combined with board service and active participation in executive communities such as Fractionals United, underscore her commitment to operational best practices and executive partnership.