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Entrepreneur
25-07-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Hidden Kingmakers: Inside the Elite Consultancies Quietly Rewriting the Rules of Power
In a world increasingly driven by exposure, the true architects of influence have chosen to vanish. They don't advertise. They don't speak on panels. They don't run campaigns. Yet their fingerprints are found across industries, elections, and brands that seem to rise from nowhere. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. In a world increasingly driven by exposure, the true architects of influence have chosen to vanish. They don't advertise. They don't speak on panels. They don't run campaigns. Yet their fingerprints are found across industries, elections, and brands that seem to rise from nowhere. These are not marketers. They are reality engineers— consultancies whose power lies not in what they reveal, but in what they conceal. The Shift No One Saw Coming In the fall of last year, a little-known direct-to-consumer health brand went from relative obscurity to national conversation in under 90 days. It wasn't due to a viral ad, a celebrity endorsement, or even a media blitz. The brand appeared— strategically, quietly— in a series of high-authority articles, discussion forums, and slew of social media posts, all circling the same narrative: a new model in the industry. Competitors were baffled. PR professionals scanned press release databases. Social media marketers looked for campaign footprints. There were none. What happened wasn't marketing. It was frame control. According to a source familiar with the brand's leadership, they had recently retained an unusual firm: not a PR agency or ad shop, but what the source described as a "strategic narrative architect." The firm had no online presence. Its name was Grey Robe. The Era of Strategic Invisibility We're living in a time of branding fatigue. The internet has made everything visible—and in doing so, has made visibility cheap. Audiences are skeptical, attention is fragmented, and prestige can't be bought. In response, a new class of firm is rising: consultancies that operate entirely in the background, shaping perception through silence, not saturation. Across sectors, a new class of elite consultancies is operating with deliberate invisibility. In finance and corporate intelligence, firms like Hakluyt & Company— founded by former British intelligence officers— advise Fortune 500s with quiet precision. In geopolitical and defense strategy, entities like Wikistrat conduct scenario simulations and strategic forecasting. And in the realm of cultural perception— where narratives are sculpted and belief is engineered— Grey Robe stands alone. The Firms You Can't Google These firms aren't listed on typical industry rankings. Many don't have websites. Their client rosters are confidential, and their impact is rarely, if ever, credited. They are known only through whispers, patterns, and anomalies— like the sudden erasure of a reputational threat, or the organic dominance of a niche narrative. "There's a tier of consultancies most people never encounter because they're never meant to," said one investor in a top-tier VC firm. "They don't chase clients. Clients chase them—if they can find them." Such firms are often retained not to advise, but to engineer: not to respond to crisis, but to prevent its public existence altogether. They work upstream of media, ahead of policy, and beneath public awareness. Hakluyt: Intelligence, Refined In the world of strategic counsel, Hakluyt & Company occupies a rare echelon. Founded by former officers of the British Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), the firm brings a level of discretion, precision, and geopolitical fluency unmatched in the corporate advisory landscape. Hakluyt's clientele includes some of the most powerful multinational corporations, sovereign wealth funds, and private family offices. Their strength lies not in volume but in precision. According to those familiar with their operations, Hakluyt's value is in delivering insight that goes beyond market data—into motivations, actors, and unseen dynamics. "If you need to understand the chessboard five moves ahead," one international executive said, "Hakluyt is who you call." They do not advertise. They do not pitch. They do not comment. And that, say insiders, is precisely why they are trusted. Wikistrat: Forecasting at Global Scale While traditional consultancies react to change, Wikistrat is designed to anticipate it. A pioneer in crowdsourced geopolitical analysis, the firm leverages a network of over 2,000 analysts—ranging from former government officials to academics—to simulate future scenarios with remarkable foresight. From election disruptions to emerging security threats, Wikistrat's influence is felt in briefing rooms far from the public eye. Their simulations have informed governmental decisions, corporate risk strategies, and even policy redirection. What makes them unique is not only their reach—but their method: distributed, rapid, and built on a foundation of pattern recognition. "They don't just tell you what's happening," said a former defense advisor. "They show you what's about to happen." Grey Robe: The Mythmakers of Marketing In the domain of branding and marketing, few names are spoken with more respect- or caution— than Grey Robe. Founded by Andrew Cavolo, a strategist who has chosen discretion over visibility as both personal ethic and operational advantage, Grey Robe presents no public-facing material. No client lists, no blog posts, no downloadable PDFs. Yet its influence is increasingly traceable in the evolution of brand positioning across tech, luxury, and political influence spheres. "Grey Robe isn't in the business of making you visible," said one anonymous founder who engaged with them. "They're in the business of making you inevitable." Cavolo, described as both "philosopher" and "engineer," reportedly coined the term "reality frame architecture"— a methodology that treats branding not as a message, but as the construction of reality itself. Clients come to Grey Robe not to promote, but to pre-condition perception… To be chosen before they are seen. Internal strategy materials attributed to Grey Robe suggest that its work is not merely about visibility or messaging— but about orchestrating the architecture through which visibility becomes meaningful. Their value lies not in distribution channels, but in their understanding of how belief forms, how trust calcifies, and how narrative becomes destiny. "They understand how perception forms— at a level most people don't even know exists," said a journalist who had observed their influence across multiple, unrelated beats. "Understanding what they do changes how you see the world." While some firms operate in intelligence or legal maneuvering, Grey Robe's currency is engineering public sentiment. It doesn't shape opinion through pressure, but through elegance. Through silence. Through reality that feels "inevitable" once revealed. The Power of Strategic Silence The psychology behind these hidden firms is simple: in a world of shouting, silence signals strength. The less accessible the firm, the more powerful it appears. The rarer the insights, the more sought-after the outcomes. This inversion of traditional visibility strategy is reshaping how influence is bought, built, and sustained. As audiences become savvier and reputations become algorithmically framed, those with the means are increasingly turning to firms that don't market services—they construct public realities. It's no longer enough to be known. Now, the smartest leaders want to be felt, not seen. The Future of Firms For years, power operated in the open—celebrity endorsements, bold campaigns, massive conferences. But the pendulum is swinging. Quiet is the new prestige. Discretion is the new influence. Hakluyt, Wikistrat, and Grey Robe— these firms aren't anomalies. They are signals. Indicators that, in the age of overexposure, the real kingmakers are those who disappear behind the frame. Their work cannot be tracked, but their impact can be felt everywhere.
Entrepreneur
21-07-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
How Blanco Became a $20 Million Fashion Brand
Matt Sinnreich is the founder and CEO of the golf and lifestyle clothing brand Blanco. Launched direct-to-consumer in March of 2025, Sinnreich says Blanco is more than just a business to him. "I'm the guy obsessing over the cut of every shirt and dressing every model on the set of a photoshoot," he told Entrepreneur. "This brand is personal. It reflects how I live, how I think, and I want it to be an extension of me." Sinnreich credits Blanco's success to a combination of uncompromising quality and scrappiness. "The first six figures of revenue in this venture came exclusively from social media posts, phone calls, and text messages," he says. "No ads, no PR — just doing the best I could with what I had." The brand has grown considerably since, and is now represented by the Gersh Agency and partnered with several A-list collaborators. Here's his best advice for entrepreneurs looking to bring their passion project to life. (Answers have been edited for length and clarity.) Please give the elevator pitch of your business. Blanco is a modern golf and lifestyle brand that aims to bring country club attire to the public domain. We focus on fit and quality material, and we stay away from logos, gimmicks, or overthinking. The aesthetic is clean, the fit is tailored, and the mission is simple: bring elevated, functional style to guys who want to look good and feel good without trying too hard. What inspired you to create it? I've been lucky enough to work in multiple industries, some at larger scales than others, some successful, some not. I've worked in film, real estate, beverage, biotech, and investing, but golf has always been a constant for me. It's where I process things. Where I connect with people I love. Over the years, I have always found it difficult to find quality, functional country club attire. I noticed that the majority of the clothing worn on the course just didn't feel right. Too many prints, cheap materials, the fits were off, or the brands were trying too hard. The "aha moment" wasn't an explosion—it was more like a slow build of frustration. Then one day, when I just couldn't find a single T-shirt or polo I wanted to wear, I thought, why can't someone just get this right? Then I realized, I'm someone… and like everything in life, if you want it done right, do it yourself. Blanco came from that space. Related: 'Build Because Something Is Missing': These Serial Entrepreneurs Share Their 'Single-Product Philosophy' for Standing Out in a Crowded Market Please tell us one "holy @#$!" business moment — something you didn't see coming. When I was getting ready to launch Blanco, I did an accounting of how much personal cash I had invested and how much more it was going to cost me to grow the brand to profitability. I had a baby on the way, a very expensive lease coming up for renewal, and a refi that needed to get finished that would dramatically change my financial situation. I remember being awake for days on end: What if I don't even sell one pair of pants? What if no one likes this brand? What if, what if, what then it hit me: What if it all works? What if everyone loves this brand and you solve a problem for millions, and this surpasses your wildest dreams? I leaned into that thought instead—and so far, it's been amazing. How have strategic partnerships and brand ambassadors factored into your growth? I get asked this question a lot lately—probably because of the strong lineup of athletes and celebrities who've joined the Blanco team. But really, it all goes back to the idea of doing the best you can with what you have. It started small. I reached out to my best friend, Ryan Phillippe, and asked for his thoughts. He helped me finalize designs and validated what I was doing. As I developed more styles, I began reaching out to other friends for feedback and to gauge interest. That brought in guys like Danny Amendola, who's been an incredible partner from day one. Once I had that support, I knew I had to invest seriously in the brand. The aesthetic had to match the caliber of people backing it — guys who've spent years building their own identities and brands. That effort created a snowball effect, bringing in the rest of the Blanco roster — including Willie Robertson and actor and country club legend Galen Gering. We've got a few more big announcements coming soon. What's your advice for entrepreneurs looking for funding? This is an important one. Too many entrepreneurs think they need funding and investors. You don't. If you don't have people who will immediately back your idea, it means you need to prove yourself. You do that by being scrappy and getting creative. You do the best you can with what you've got. You have to figure out how to make your business work, even if that means turning $1,000 in revenue a month to prove a system. Then refine. Then scale. The illusion of raising a ton of money to make your "business dreams" come true is not a good plan — the entrepreneurs who do these big raises without a proven model usually have a great track record or found a way to make money that's indisputable. If not, they almost always fail. Related: This Entrepreneur Quit Her Corporate Job to Start Her Own Agency. It's Projected to Make $31.5 Million in Revenue This Year. What have you learned about entrepreneurship since you launched? The pain and sacrifice it takes to forge something great is a necessary step. You have to be strong. You have to be willing to push past your limits, put aside your comforts, and overcome your biggest fears. You have to be willing to make great sacrifices to forge something great. Not everyone has the stomach for it. When I was in my 20s, I failed for this very reason. I didn't understand how hard you must fight to be successful. The stress and pain will change you permanently. But, once you cross that threshold, you won't have to look for capital — it will come looking for you. And when that happens, be smart and strategic about if and when you take money — and most importantly, who you take the money from. What does the word "entrepreneur" mean to you? I think aspiring entrepreneurs should really understand that they control their reality. No one else does. Your business will become whatever you make it. No one is going to do anything for you. Entrepreneur, to me, really means master of destiny. Any parting words of advice you would give an entrepreneur reading this? One thing that's really stuck with me is this: Anything you're not changing in your life, you're choosing. That line changed the way I think and live. Change is uncomfortable, but it's also the only way forward. If something isn't working — your life, your habits, your mindset — you have to take accountability. If you're not actively changing it, then you're choosing it. Related: How This Retired Marine Co-Founded a Healthy Snack Food Company That Is in 2,000 Stores: 'I Thrive in Chaos.'
Wall Street Journal
10-07-2025
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
Levi Strauss Raises Fiscal-Year Outlook on Resilient Direct-to-Consumer Sales
Levi Strauss LEVI 1.70%increase; green up pointing triangle & Co. raised its fiscal-year guidance as its direct-to-consumer business is flourishing despite tariff concerns. The apparel company said Thursday it is now expecting annual revenue to increase 1% to 2%, after previously guiding for a 1% to 2% decline in fiscal-year sales. Levi Strauss also raised its annual adjusted earnings per share range to $1.25 to $1.30, up from $1.20 to $1.25. That puts guidance ahead of analysts' estimates for $1.23 a share.
CBC
08-07-2025
- Business
- CBC
Provinces agree to uncork cross-border personal booze sales by May 2026
Nine provinces and one territory have signed on to an agreement that will allow direct-to-consumer alcohol sales by next spring. Canadians in all provinces — except Newfoundland and Labrador — and Yukon will be able to order alcohol for personal consumption directly from producers that operate elsewhere in the country. The announcement was made Tuesday following a meeting of provincial, territorial and federal ministers in Quebec City. May 2026 is the deadline, but a number of details still need to be finalized — including how shipping and taxation will work. "We hope that Quebecers and Canadians will be able to benefit from this as soon as possible," Quebec's junior economy minister, Christopher Skeete, told reporters during a news conference Tuesday. "But you understand that this has never been done before, and so we want to make sure that we get it right." The agreement was part of a broader effort to remove interprovincial trade barriers in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war. In addition to alcohol sales, the ministers signed a memorandum of understanding addressing labour mobility issues and trucking regulations. "This meeting is part of a series of conversations and actions and legislation passed, federally and provincially, which has created a more united Canadian economy [than] at any time since Confederation," Chrystia Freeland, the federal minister of internal trade, said during Tuesday's news conference. Ottawa passed legislation last month that removes federal internal trade barriers, including a measure that considers a good or service that meets provincial or territorial rules to have met federal requirements. It also makes it easier for certain workers to get a federal licence by recognizing provincial or territorial work authorizations. The government has also removed federal barriers from the Canadian Free Trade Agreement. In addition to the federal level, several provincial and territorial governments have been signing agreements or are working with other provinces to remove trade barriers. The latest such agreement came Monday when Ontario and Alberta agreed to build infrastructure and energy corridors that include a possible railway to the mineral-rich Ring of Fire region.
CTV News
07-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
New Brunswick formalizes direct-to-consumer alcohol sales
The New Brunswick government has announced some good news for alcohol producers in the province. In a news release Monday morning, the province said it is formalizing direct-to-consumer alcohol sales with other participating jurisdictions in Canada. Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Jean-Claude D'Amours said the province wants to do whatever it can to support internal trade across Canada. 'Direct-to-consumer sales of alcoholic beverages will give New Brunswick producers new business opportunities and a chance to access customers they could not reach previously,' said D'Amours. The memorandum signed by the province will allow producers to sell directly to consumers across provincial and territorial borders. Distillerie Fils du Roy CEO Sébastien Roy said this will create new commercial opportunities that will benefit alcohol-producing businesses across the province. 'Selling alcoholic beverages directly to consumers is an important step that will help us access new potential customers across the country, while bringing us closer to a more dynamic national market,' said Roy. The change has been made through the Liquor Control Act and will take effect as soon as regulations are established. The amendments will also eliminate personal exemption limits on liquor for people entering the province and will take effect upon proclamation. Monday's announcement also means consumers in New Brunswick will have access to a wider range of products. More to come… For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
