Featured by Consulting Magazine: One-On-One With Stax CEO Jayson Traxler

Traxler: Growing up in rural Virgina, I never imagined I’d be part of such an amazing global team like we have at Stax. We truly have the smartest group of people I’ve ever had the fortune to encounter in my career.

Before joining the consulting industry, I had a diverse career background, starting off in investment banking and then moving into private equity. After business school, I transitioned into consulting holding senior executive positions at leading professional services firms, including AlixPartners and K2 Integrity. There, I developed and led growth and operational functions such as strategy, investments, corporate development, and M&A. I joined Stax as COO in 2021 following Blue Point Capital Partners’ investment and promoted to CEO in 2023. My hallmark is leading companies and management teams through the global complexities of accelerated business transformation with a total stakeholder mindset.

Traxler: I see the consulting market as being at a pivotal juncture. The rapid pace of technological advancements, economic fluctuations, and evolving regulatory landscapes are all reshaping client needs and expectations. In 2024 and beyond, clients are seeking more than just traditional advisory services—they're looking for partners who can deliver actionable insights, drive tangible value, and help them navigate complexity with agility.

Our private equity clients increasingly demand a blend of deep industry expertise and innovative approaches. They want consulting partners who are adept at leveraging data analytics to uncover new opportunities and optimize operations. There's a heightened emphasis on sustainability and ESG factors, as businesses aim to align with global sustainability goals and enhance their long-term resilience. Clients are also seeking comprehensive, end-to-end support throughout the entire lifecycle of their investments. This includes everything from due diligence and value creation to exit planning.

In essence, the consulting firms that will thrive are those that can adapt to these evolving demands, offer a blend of innovation and expertise, and build deep, collaborative relationships with their clients. At Stax, we are committed to staying ahead of these trends, continuously enhancing our capabilities and providing our clients with the insights and support they need to succeed in an ever-changing world.

Traxler: Founded in 1994, Stax is a leading analytically driven and tech-enabled, global strategy consultancy, specializing in commercial due diligence, value creation, and exit planning for private equity investors and the management teams of their portfolio companies. The problem Stax set out to address and solve: a market segment was seeking significant content paired with an action-oriented approach. Our founding team, coming from large firms, recognized that the purely generalist case team structure could be improved by incorporating specialist teams, which is how we built Stax.

Today, we are the leading boutique firm serving private equity diligence. Stax has a very strong reputation in the talent market, and a strong leadership team with well-known names in the industry.

Our boutique status enables Stax to:

• Navigate market dynamics and economic changes.
• Differentiate ourselves as specialists in CDD.
• Provide greater access to internal resources, training, and coaching opportunities.
• Reduce red tape when servicing clients, completing projects, and promoting internal initiatives.
• Ensure greater visibility across project life cycles.
• Facilitate access to senior leadership and experienced team members.

Other qualities that differentiate Stax include:

• A strong PE partner in Blue Point, which invested in Stax in 2021 and is committed to growth and advancement.
• An entrepreneurial and meritocratic environment offering greater growth opportunities than larger firms.
• A centralized staffing model that maximizes utilization, reducing the need to self-staff, and minimizing bench time between projects.
• National and global presence, offering opportunities to travel and relocation within the firm.
• A size and organizational structure that enhances collaboration between client- facing, delivery, and operations teams.
• Unique benefits like the management incentive equity program, providing shareholder ownership to nearly 100 team members today

Traxler: Stax is exceptionally well-equipped to leverage emerging trends in the consulting market. Our firm has consistently evolved to meet the changing needs of our private equity clients, aligning our approach with current demands for actionable insights, technological innovation, and comprehensive support.

Firstly, our commitment to data-driven insights sets us apart. By leveraging advanced analytics and AI, we provide clients with deep, actionable insights that drive strategic decision-making, meeting the increasing client demand for innovative, technology-driven solutions.

Secondly, our expertise spans the entire private equity investment lifecycle—from due diligence and value creation to exit planning. This comprehensive approach ensures Stax supports our clients at every stage of their investment journey, providing the strategic and practical execution needed to achieve measurable outcomes.

Moreover, our recent expansion into the U.K. and EMEA markets, along with the broadening of our product offerings, demonstrates our proactive approach to growth and market diversification. This positions Stax to better serve our global clients and capitalize on new opportunities in these regions.

We have also integrated ESG advisory services into our commercial solutions, reflecting our understanding of the growing importance of sustainability and responsible investing. By helping our clients align with global sustainability goals, we enhance their long-term resilience and competitiveness.

At Stax, our focus on building deep, collaborative relationships with our clients ensures that we remain trusted partners in their success. Our unique apprenticeship model underscores our dedication to mentorship, professional growth, and building strong client-centric teams.

Traxler: Stax has built a business characterized by tremendous, long-lasting client relationships and low customer concentration. Clients rely on Stax because we understand their needs and can deliver the right high-value content for critical decisions quickly. Balancing innovation with risk aversion is achieved through several strategic approaches: Client-centric innovation, data-driven decision making, strong client relationships, and collaboration and feedback.

Traxler: The private equity universe is growing rapidly, creating a significant demand for specialized consultants who can help PE sponsors evaluate opportunities, build value during ownership, and secure a competitive advantage. This growth necessitates expert consultancy to effectively de-risk investments.



• Intense competition going after the same quality assets—funds need an edge to win.
• Deal processes are accelerating requiring funds to get up to speed quickly to stay competitive.
• Institutional capital is laser focused on ROI; private equity firms that run lean and rely on experts have more runway.
• A thematic approach to investing drives early engagement on viewpoints and deep subject matter expertise.
• Portfolio companies need to increase value and operating performance, requiring experienced guidance from a provider that understands strategy, data, technology, and the PE mindset.
• Post-Covid, portfolio companies are reassessing strategies and seeking more third-party direction and validation due to varied performance during the pandemic.

The outlook for PE allocations is positive, giving confidence in the robustness of market demand over the medium term. In addition, the proliferation of recent private equity investment drives an ever-increasing number of portfolio companies, which continues to be a big value driver as PE firms need to increase operating performance given the competitive environment.

Traxler: At Stax, our vision is to create value for our clients and partners, grow a successful and durable organization, and provide exceptional opportunities for our people. We act with the highest integrity, respect for others, and personal accountability.

We foster a sense of shared responsibility among our team and demonstrate a commitment to the community. These principles ensure that we consistently deliver data-driven insights to drive growth, enhance profits, and increase value for our clients while sustaining our firm and offering meaningful career growth for our team.

Traxler: Stax differentiates itself from competitors with its exclusive focus on the private equity investment ecosystem. This specialization enables us to deeply understand the unique needs and challenges faced by our clients at every stage of the investment lifecycle, providing highly targeted, actionable insights that drive growth and enhance value.

Our data-driven approach is another key differentiator. Leveraging advanced analytics and a vast network of industry experts, we deliver actionable, data-driven insights. In addition, our commitment to client-centricity sets us apart. We build deep, long-lasting relationships with our clients, staying attuned to their evolving needs and providing tailored solutions.

Finally, our organizational culture and values play a crucial role in differentiating us. We emphasize integrity, respect, personal accountability, and a shared sense of responsibility among our team. This not only fosters a collaborative and supportive work environment but also ensures that we consistently deliver high-quality, impactful results for our clients.

Traxler: Stax employs a client-centric philosophy that sets it apart in identifying and addressing client needs. We combine deep industry knowledge with the ability to rapidly gather, ingest, and analyze multiple internal and external data sets. This process includes developing new customer and industry primary research to build a robust fact base and extracting actionable insights that provide clients with clear perspectives on high-value questions.

Our approach ensures tailored solutions that address the unique needs and challenges of each client, leading to the best possible outcomes. Our team of seasoned professionals, with extensive expertise across various industries, offers deep sector knowledge, enhancing our ability to deliver exceptional service.

We prioritize client satisfaction and success, building long-term relationships based on trust and exceptional service. Our work with leading investment sponsors and banks, totaling over 400 projects annually, provides us with unparalleled market data, analytics, and expertise, enabling us to quickly get up to speed on most sub-sectors. This comprehensive, data-driven methodology ensures that we meet our clients' needs effectively and efficiently.

Traxler: In the private equity sphere, the consulting industry faces significant challenges due to economic and political volatility. While 2021 and 2022 saw exceptional growth post-pandemic, the market is now marked by economic fluctuations, geopolitical tensions, and inflation, presenting a complex landscape. At Stax, we recognize the complexities and have implemented several proactive strategies:

Enhanced Client Engagement: We prioritize building and deepening relationships with our clients throughout the PE investment lifecycle, ensuring tailored, proactive, and client-centric engagements that address immediate challenges and anticipate future opportunities.

Expanded Service Offerings: We have expanded our services to include value creation, growth strategies, sell-side and exit planning, and integrated ESG advisory services. This diversification allows us to deliver tailored solutions for sustainable growth and resilience.

Global Expansion: To better serve our U.S.-based clients entering the U.K. and EMEA markets, Stax has acquired a London-based consultancy and opened a new Central London office. This expansion strengthens our global presence and leverages local expertise.

Talent Development and Recruitment: We focus on mentorship, continuous learning, and career development to ensure our team remains equipped to deliver exceptional expertise and value in a rapidly changing environment.

Traxler: At Stax, we recognize that talent acquisition and development are crucial to our long-term success, our people are our product. Our strategy for attracting and retaining top talent is rooted in three core principles:

Creating a Compelling Value Proposition: We offer our consultants the opportunity to work on high-impact projects across various industries, providing a dynamic and intellectually stimulating environment. Our focus on data-driven, actionable insights allows our team to see tangible results, which is highly rewarding and motivating.

Fostering a Culture of Continuous Growth: We invest heavily in professional development through training programs, mentorship, and career advancement opportunities. By encouraging our consultants to expand their skill sets and knowledge, we ensure they are well-equipped to tackle complex challenges and drive value for our clients.

Emphasizing Work-Life Balance: We understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance for attracting and retaining top talent. We offer flexible work arrangements and a supportive environment that prioritizes employee well-being, preventing burnout and fostering long-term loyalty and commitment.

Traxler: As a CEO, I believe leaders must embody authenticity, communication, inclusivity, and pragmatism. 

Leading with clear value-based principles guides decision-making and is crucial in today's globally complex environment. CEOs must champion organizational values authentically to inspire the entire team and drive meaningful change. To do this, effective communication and liberation of data is key. CEOs must articulate their vision and values consistently across the organization, ensuring everyone understands the purpose behind their actions and has access to that information.

Inclusivity isn't just ethical; it's smart business. Embracing diverse perspectives enhances innovation and engagement, crucial for attracting and retaining top talent. The workplace must be a place where people can bring their true selves to work. At Stax, we have built a platform where people can come to do their best work.

Lastly, execution is paramount. A well-executed strategy, even if not perfect, outperforms a flawless strategy poorly executed. In today's volatile landscape, CEOs must remain adaptable, continuously evaluating and adjusting strategies to thrive amidst change.

Traxler: The opportunity to integrate AI-based intelligence with our skilled professionals represents a transformative business opportunity for our generation.

Generative AI serves as potent fuel for ambitious endeavors. By automating routine tasks, AI has the potential to liberate valuable human resources to concentrate on higher-value activities crucial for driving tomorrow’s business success that helps our clients further de-risk their private equity investments. It will allow us to continually innovate with new products, enhancing services, and expanding into new markets—all proven avenues to sustainable profitable value creation and aligned with Stax’s growth agenda.

Consulting: What do you think are the most critical elements of creating successful client/advisory partnerships?

Traxler: Creating successful client partnerships hinges on several critical elements. First and foremost is trust. Building trust requires consistent delivery of high-quality, actionable insights that clients can depend on. Transparency in our processes, clear communication, and maintaining integrity in all interactions are fundamental to establishing and maintaining this trust.

Another key element is a deep understanding of the client's needs. By immersing ourselves in our clients' challenges, opportunities, and strategic goals, we can provide tailored, relevant advice that truly addresses their investment needs. This deep industry expertise combined with our specialized focus on the private equity investment ecosystem allows us to deliver highly targeted and actionable insights.

Effective communication is also vital. This involves not only clear and regular updates but also active listening. Understanding our clients' perspectives, priorities, and feedback enables us to adapt our approach and solutions to better meet their expectations.

Flexibility and adaptability are crucial as well. The business landscape is constantly evolving, and being able to pivot and adjust in response to changing circumstances ensures that we continue to provide valuable support to our clients.

Lastly, fostering a collaborative partnership where we work alongside our clients as a trusted advisor rather than just a service provider is essential. This collaborative approach encourages open dialogue, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to achieving the client's objectives.

Consulting: Are there practice areas or industry sectors you see as growth opportunities? What plans do you have to pursue or grow your business in those areas?

Traxler: Stax employs a multi-pronged growth strategy rooted in a relentless focus on both client and employee centricity.

Our growth within existing clients is driven by a fully developed Account Relationship Management Strategy, developed by our global practice lead, Paul Edwards, and supported by our purpose-built Sales Operations, Resource Management, and Marketing platforms. Over 100 private equity and investor clients have engaged with Stax in the past two years, creating a wealth of referenceable work. In addition, there is a significant opportunity to increase the mix of sell-side engagements in our portfolio.

We also prioritize lateral hiring, leveraging our unique “platform” to enable new hires to rapidly generate revenue and add value to clients. This allows new team members to do their best work from the moment they join Stax.

In addition to these strategies, we focus on continued integrated product expansion. We have demonstrated the ability to expand into new product offerings such as sell-side services, data analytics, and value creation. Our integrated go-to-market approach supports the development of purpose-built new products, including ESG and technical due diligence.

Geographic expansion and inorganic growth are also key components of our strategy. We aim to expand regionally in the U.S. and Europe to attract more talent and improve client coverage. Additionally, we continue to focus on M&A efforts, targeting tuck-ins and complementary private equity offerings to enhance our capabilities and reach.

Consulting: Will you be looking to expand Stax’s headcount? 

Traxler: Stax’s emphasis on talent development provides consultants with a clearly outlined pathway to

promotion and greater responsibility within the firm than our competitors. Stax is only as great as its people. The development and training of Stax’s employees is mission-critical to Stax’s continued success; Stax thrives due to the quality of work from our employees. 

We developed a unique, purpose-built platform that allows consultants to come and do their best work. Compared to our main competitors, our boutique status and size provide distinct advantages in attracting top talent.

People come and stay at Stax for several reasons:

• A healthier work-life balance.
• A more diverse working environment.
• Greater access to senior team members for guidance and coaching opportunities.
• Greater opportunity for advancement, and clear promotion guidelines.
• Opportunities to work across multiple industries.
• Less friction when servicing clients and promoting internal initiatives.
• A smaller, more dynamic organization that allows for greater mobility and opportunities to stand out as contributors.
• Opportunities to participate in business development activities.
• Stronger brand recognition.
• A streamlined process for staffing on projects.
• Equity ownership opportunities at the junior consultant level.

So, in summary, we are indeed looking for consultants in Boston, New York, London and Chicago who want to be a part of any of the above! There are no upper bounds on the Stax journey. As we say, “we are good people, doing good work, for good people.”