Success Stories
Proof, and the people behind it.
The numbers get attention. The people are the point.
Real outcomes, real recognition, real people. Endorsements from Fortune 500 leaders, national press and television, and dozens of the people Jim has led and coached. Stories and endorsements supplied for this site.
Results at scale, sustained for eight straight years.
Featured case study
From ready to sell, to a waitlist.
Valerie Kemp, a CPA, came to me overwhelmed and seriously thinking about selling. After her father and mentor passed, she was running her own firm plus the family business for her mother, and it was pulling her under.
We got to work on the real problems. We let go of the energy-draining, unprofitable clients. We removed a toxic hire. We refocused the team on the highest-payoff work and defined clear goals and expectations. Eventually we sold a service line that was emotionally important but quietly draining the business.
The team got stronger. Weekly training built real depth on the bench. Demand grew into a waitlist. Later, a problem hit that could have threatened the business years earlier. This time, it held.
The goal isn't to make sure nothing bad ever happens. It's to build you and your business into something capable of handling it when it does.
- Cut the unprofitable, draining clients
- Refocused the team on high-payoff work
- Sold off a draining service line
- Grew demand into a waitlist
They didn't owe me those calls.
Eleven former team members have called me, out of the blue, just to say they paid off their homes. Some hadn't worked with me in years. They remembered the conversations about money, goals, planning, and building a better life for their families.
Others still call for a reference, for advice on a new role, or for perspective before they chase something they have always wanted. That is the result I am proudest of.
They called because they knew I'd be proud of them. They were right.
Recognition & media
Real proof. No stock photos.
Awards, press, and national television. Supporting recognition from Jim's career.
Back-to-back No. 1 fastest-growing private company in Greater Nashville.
Top-ranked in the Nashville Business Journal Fast 50, two years running.
Highest score in a single game of backwards bowling: 278.
February 2023 cover feature.
At Splitsville with host Cameron Mathison.
Featured on air as The Backward Bowler.
A backwards strike on national late night.
Featured on national television in Japan.
Also on the record
- Named one of Nashville's top 3 tech companies at the Nashville Next Awards
- Ranked in the national top four for eight straight years, and No. 3 at its peak
- Thousands of hours of live training delivered
- 200+ episodes of a weekly internal company show, produced and hosted
- 130+ hours of podcasts and interviews
In their words
What it's like to work with me.
From Fortune 500 executives to the people I led and coached. The experiences shared here are individual accounts.
“Congratulations on being named Nashville's fastest growing business. This is a great accomplishment. You exemplify the behaviors we want to see from all of our partners.”
“Your commitment to growth through expansion, both organic and through acquisition, has displayed great channel leadership. I have watched the success you have in acquiring a business and turning around the sales results and service experience.”
“If you want a leader with excellent human qualities who can get the job done, no matter how tall the task, Jim Cripps is the guy you want in your corner.”
“Jim is the kind of leader you want in your corner. He understands the value received when you develop your team, and how leading from the front helps everyone.”
“Under Jim Cripps's guidance, our company not only weathered storms but thrived and ultimately achieved a successful exit.”
“Jim grew Absolute Wireless from 7 locations to 65 locations and 450 team members, spanning 3 countries. He never boasted about it. He always focused on the people who helped him get there.”
“He's a great mentor for any CEO who wants to get better and manage more effectively.”
“Jim is the epitome of integrity, hard work, results, care, and excellence. I always joked, 'I would walk through fire for Jim,' and I honestly meant it.”
“He's the guy you know you want on your team, because he's that good.”
“Jim invested in his teams way beyond the standard curriculum. When the Sprint and T-Mobile merger came, Absolute Wireless stayed agile and kept morale high.”
“One of the most influential leaders I have ever had the pleasure of working for. His passion and dedication were major catalysts to the growth of the entire organization.”
“Jim's unique talent as 'The Backwards Bowler' opens eyes and creates smiles. It's a pleasure to recommend Jim Cripps for any professional endeavor.”
“He trained me on emerging technologies like AI, and even helped me write a business plan that won Best Written Plan at MTSU's 2023 Business Plan Competition.”
“Jim could take an employee who failed at sales and have them meet or exceed goals in a short time. His energy is contagious.”
“Few people report to a manager who is also a coach and mentor. But I did when I worked for Jim.”
“Authentic and genuine in all the good ways. You can count on him to shoot it straight and to be there when you need him.”
“He coaches with passion and leads with integrity. I would not be where I am today without his encouragement, drive, and selflessness.”
“He was the first to tell me that as a leader I didn't have to be great at everything. Jim can look at a problem from angles no one else can.”
“Jim does not coach or teach from afar. He is in the trenches with his people.”
“Even on the toughest day, you know he cares about your personal goals and that you and your family are growing.”
Find the right next step
Start with the opportunity.
Tell me what you want to improve and what is getting in the way. The first step is to check fit, then decide whether a focused conversation, a practical solution, or a different resource makes sense.
- A useful next step starts with fit. If I'm not the right fit, I'll tell you.
- If I know someone better suited, I may connect you.
- No sensitive documents needed. A short description is enough.
Tell me what needs to work better.
A few details help us work out the right next step before putting time on the calendar.