Case Study

Turning an Idea Into a Working Business

How Fiery Feather helped bring Topeka from concept to execution through people-centered project leadership

From First Day to Fully Aligned: A New Approach to Onboarding crop

Startup
Business Launch
Project Leadership & Operations

Client & Context

Why this Mattered

In 2018, Andy Levine, a serial entrepreneur and chairman of Sixthman, was evaluating several potential business ideas and deciding where to focus his energy next.

Each concept had potential. What was needed was a way to assess priorities, commit to a direction, and move forward with intention — quickly. They needed to keep the momentum going without burning time or resources in the process.

What Was at Risk

Without focused execution and coordination, promising ideas could remain stalled, fragment across contributors, or lose traction before taking shape as a real business.

The Challenge

Where Friction Showed Up

Once Topeka was selected as the idea to pursue, the work quickly became complex.

Multiple specialists were needed to bring the concept to life
Timelines and dependencies shifted as the team grew
Communication across disciplines required active coordination
Decisions had to be made while the business was still taking form

As momentum built, so did the need for someone to hold the full picture – keeping the work moving while protecting the integrity of the idea.

The Fiery Feather Approach

Holding momentum as the work takes shape

Fiery Feather stepped in to provide project leadership and coordination across all contributors involved in bringing Topeka to life.

We created an initial project plan and helped assemble the right mix of specialists, including UX design, web development, and branding support. As execution progressed, we continuously adapted timelines, priorities, and workflows to reflect the realities of a growing team and an evolving business.

Our role extended beyond task management. We:

Maintained consistent direction across contributors
Optimized communication and documentation between specialists
Acted as a steady point of coordination when uncertainties and varying opinions surfaced

This steady leadership allowed the team to focus on their respective strengths while keeping the initiative moving forward as a unified effort.

Client

Topeka

Team Involved

Founder, UX design, web development, branding, and supporting specialists

Engagement Type

Project leadership, coordination, and execution support

Duration

Retainer support over a one-year period

Key Outcomes

A business concept moved from evaluation to active execution
Cross-functional contributors stayed aligned as the team expanded
Resources and timelines adapted as the scope evolved
The business successfully launched and sustained momentum through early growth

Client

Topeka

Team Involved

Founder, UX design, web development, branding, and supporting specialists

Engagement Type

Project leadership, coordination, and execution support

Duration

Retainer support over a one-year period

Key Outcomes

A business concept moved from evaluation to active execution
Cross-functional contributors stayed aligned as the team expanded
Resources and timelines adapted as the scope evolved
The business successfully launched and sustained momentum through early growth

What Changed

Qualitative Outcomes

The Topeka concept successfully launched as an operating business
Team members worked with shared direction despite shifting scope
Decision-making stayed grounded as new information emerged
Momentum continued through early growth and external disruption

Voices from the Client

With an idea that you want to bring to life, Theresa is absolutely the person you want quarterbacking and leading and driving the project. I loved working with Theresa — she knew everything that was going on and was driving it forward by leveraging other people’s talents.

Before, Topeka was just an idea. With Fiery Feather’s help, my idea became reality.

Andy Levine
Founder and CEO