About Anchor & Keel
Hi, I’m Nikki Belt
I’ve spent most of my career inside large, complex organizations — the kind with deep resources, specialized teams, and entire departments dedicated to “operations.”
And here’s what I learned along the way: the challenges small business owners face are often the same ones — just without the extra layers or margin for error.
After 20 years working on operations, systems, and change inside places like Google, Microsoft, Apple, Nike, and the Gates Foundation, I stepped away from big tech because I wanted to use what I’d learned in a way that felt more impactful.
I wanted to take the approaches that actually work at scale and adapt them for businesses where the work is personal — where decisions affect real people, real livelihoods, and the life you’re trying to build.
What I’ve seen over and over is this: it’s rarely about finding the perfect tool. It’s about untangling work that’s become too complex, making things easier for the people doing the work, and fixing the right problems at the right time.
Anchor & Keel is how I do that. I help small business owners get clear on where operations are holding them back, focus on what matters most, and build systems that support growth without burning everyone out — including you.
How this actually works
No one-size-fits all solutions. No trend chasing. I focus on practical improvements that fit your business, your people, and your goals.
I start with context, not tools
Before we talk about systems or processes, we talk about your team and the customers you serve. The goal is to see what’s really happening day to day, so any solution we design fits your reality, not an abstract best practice.
I build for your reality
Every recommendation accounts for your budget, capacity, and constraints. We start small, prove value quickly, and only scale what works. So improvements reduce friction instead of adding complexity.
You won’t be left holding the bag
This isn’t a handoff and disappear engagement. We build, adjust, and refine together so the work actually sticks. The goal isn’t a report. It’s sustainable improvement you can run without me.
Why small businesses?
Small businesses build the communities we want, need, and deserve.
Here’s why I’m all in on your success:
You’re where real impact happens
You’re creating jobs, building community, and offering something corporations can’t—genuine connection and belonging. I’ve worked inside the giants, and I know what they can’t replicate.
You’re competing on an uneven playing field
You’re up against companies with massive budgets and dedicated operations teams. You deserve access to the same insights and strategies they use—adapted for your reality.
You can thrive, not just survive
I want you to compete and win—building a business that grows without losing its soul. Modern operations can help you get there, and I can show you how.
This moment matters
The businesses thriving five years from now are the ones modernizing today—you don’t need to transform overnight, just start smart and let small wins build.
A note on AI and modernization
A lot of what I do includes AI—but it’s not always the right solution.
I help businesses modernize thoughtfully, using technology (including AI) to support human judgement, strengthen teams, and make work easier, not to replace people or chase trends.
In a time when every vendor is pushing AI for everything, my role is to help you take a measured, ethical, and practical approach—one that avoids hype, minimizes waste, and focuses on real value.
That means:
- Choosing tools based on your actual needs, not what’s fashionable
- Being clear about what technology can and can’t do
- Considering cost, sustainability, and long-term viability
- Building capability inside your team so improvements last
Responsible modernization isn’t just good ethics—it’s good business. When people are at the center and technology supports them operations become more efficient, more resilient, and more sustainable.
If you’re curious whether your operations are stable enough to modernize, or where to start, the Profit Leak Assessment is a good first step.
A bit more about me…
Here’s the truth: Even while I consulted for and worked in big-tech my heart was always all-in on small businesses.
My partner owns a small business, and over dinners and drinks, I became his unofficial advisor. His problems were real, dynamic, and fascinating in ways corporate work never was. Staffing challenges, operational bottlenecks, cash flow stress—the messy, exciting reality of keeping a business alive and growing.
Those conversations energized me more than any project at big tech ever did. The stakes were real. The impact was immediate.
That’s why I started Anchor & Keel—and why I want to work with you. Small business ownership has a complexity and nuance that corporate work doesn’t. You are doing hard things here!
I’m a firm believer that as we navigate this AI-driven future, businesses like yours deserve every advantage to compete and thrive—without losing what makes you special.
Some things I value:
- Honest conversations over polished pitches
- Learning together over pretending to have all the answers
- Progress over perfection
- People over processes
- The proven benefits of diverse workplaces
When I’m not working with clients, you’ll find me in the Pacific Northwest with my family hiking, mountain biking, skiing and trying to keep up with my kids and their activities.
Ready to get started?
Whether you’re just beginning to think about fixing your broken operations or you’re ready to take action, I’d love to talk.
Book a free 30-minute consultation and let’s explore what’s possible for your business.
