Vision to Scale.
Full-Spectrum Advisory.
Strategic Advisor — Product · Strategy · Operations
Fractional product + creative leadership for Seed–Series B startups and innovation teams—aligning product strategy, execution, brand, and go-to-market into one operating engine so you ship faster, cleaner, and with less risk.
Trusted by Nintendo · Tim Hortons · Box (NYSE: BOX)
Trusted by leading brands
About
Aaron McLean
I turn ambitious vision into thriving businesses.
Whether it is a Seed-stage founder or an enterprise innovation team, the challenge is usually the same: the vision is compelling, but the roadmap, team alignment, pricing model, go-to-market strategy, and operating rhythm needed to make it real are not yet fully in place. That is where I come in — aligning product, business, and execution so what you are building can be delivered, adopted, and scaled.
I have spent more than 20 years doing this across seven sectors: gaming, interactive entertainment, wellness technology, brand activation, education, museums, and hospitality. I co-founded Illumination Games and helped bring five titles to Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android, reaching over 2.4 million players across 182 countries. I led product at Verold through its acquisition by Box (NYSE: BOX), contributed to national AR campaigns for Tim Hortons, and supported the development of digital platforms for the Ingenium Museum Corporation.
That full arc is what I bring to every engagement — not just the wins, but the pattern recognition that comes from building, breaking, and rebuilding across SaaS, AI, immersive technology, and digital health. I work fluently in modern AI-powered development environments, with a focus on decision quality, execution clarity, and real-world adoption, so speed translates into reliable outcomes rather than expensive experimentation.
Alongside product and strategy leadership, I bring more than 15 years of experience in high-performance coaching and team development, helping founders and executives lead with clarity, resilience, and sound judgment under pressure.
Services
Product leadership is the entry point. The impact spans the entire business.
Product & Platform Strategy
From product strategy and roadmapping to UX and creative direction, I help you define what to build, why it wins, and what "done" looks like—so teams ship with clarity and quality. I bring the eye of a creative director and the mind of a product strategist, with technical fluency across SaaS, AI, immersive tech, and digital health.
- Product Strategy & Roadmapping
- UX & Creative Direction
- Design–Engineering Workflows
- Technical Oversight & Quality Standards
- AI-Accelerated Delivery (evaluation + quality gates)
Business Model & Growth Strategy
I help founders build the strategic and financial foundation that turns a product into a durable business—business model, pricing, revenue strategy, and the go-to-market path to growth.
- Business Model & Pricing Strategy
- Revenue Strategy, Forecasting & Runway
- Go-to-Market & Growth Strategy
- Partnerships & Business Development
- Sales Enablement & Collateral Systems
Operating Systems & Team Alignment
I design the operating system behind execution—cross-functional coordination, decision rights, and team rhythms that keep the company aligned as it scales. The goal: faster execution without chaos, and a founder who isn’t the bottleneck.
- Cross-Functional Coordination
- Operating Rhythms & Team Alignment
- Decision Rights, Ownership & Accountability
- Execution Systems (cadence, handoffs, quality checks)
- Founder & Executive Coaching (as needed)
Positioning & Market Strategy
I bridge technical innovation with market clarity—turning what you’ve built into positioning, messaging, and launch strategy the market understands and responds to.
- Brand Strategy & Identity
- Market Positioning & Messaging
- Content & Channel Strategy
- Launch Strategy & Communications
Engagement Model
Aligned Partnership
I work on a paid advisory model—typically a cash retainer with clear scope and deliverables. In select partnerships where long-term fit is obvious, equity alignment may also be included.
Enterprise Innovation Teams
Established companies launching new products or entering new markets.
Funded Startups
Seed to Series B companies needing fractional product leadership.
Studios & Agencies
Creative studios seeking strategic product guidance.
Solutions
A selection of projects that demonstrate my range across product strategy, creative direction, and business building.
Interested in working together?
30-minute strategy call — no commitment required.
Sectors of Expertise
Why Work With Me
Full-Spectrum Integration
One integrated relationship across strategy, creative direction, and leadership—so you don't need three consultants.
Aligned Partnership
Advisory retainer with clear scope; in select long-term fits, equity alignment may be included.
The Human Side of Execution
15+ years in high-performance coaching and team development—helping teams align fast and lead through growth stages.
Most advisors have built things. Fewer have lost them. I've done both — and the second experience taught me as much as the first.
Let's Build Something
Ready to turn vision
into results?
Whether you're launching a new product, scaling an existing one, or navigating the challenges of leadership — I'm here to help you move forward with clarity.
I work on a paid advisory model—typically a cash retainer with clear scope and deliverables. In select partnerships where long-term fit is obvious, equity alignment may also be included.
30-minute strategy call · No commitment