In the fast-paced world of brand building, most entrepreneurs talk about growth. Chris Macaulay talks about readiness.

“You can’t scale chaos,” says the CEO of Killara Outdoors. “Before you go bigger, you have to go deeper. That means dialing in operations, product, leadership—everything under the hood.”

Since joining Killara in 2023, Macaulay has developed and implemented a five-part framework that is now driving growth across one of the most ambitious multi-brand outdoor platforms in North America. The results are turning heads in an industry traditionally known for fragmentation, not infrastructure.

Step One: Operational Excellence

When evaluating a potential acquisition, Macaulay’s first move isn’t to assess the marketing funnel—it’s to assess the backend.

“Are your SKUs a mess? Do you know your unit economics? Can you ship at scale?” he asks. “These are the things that will either carry your brand or collapse it.”

Each brand that joins Killara gains access to centralized operational systems, including inventory control, logistics support, and vendor management. These foundational tools allow founder-led businesses to stabilize and prepare for the next phase of growth.

Step Two: Centralized Services

To reduce friction and accelerate execution, Macaulay has built an in-house shared services model that covers everything from media buying and content production to finance, customer service, and e-commerce development.

“Most founders didn’t get into this to run spreadsheets or negotiate freight,” he explains. “We give them air cover so they can focus on what they’re great at—building product, engaging the community, growing the brand.”

Step Three: Leadership Development

According to Macaulay, one of the most overlooked elements of scale is people.

“We don’t just invest in brands. We invest in the leadership teams behind them,” he says.

Killara provides coaching, organizational planning, and transitional support to ensure leaders grow at the same pace as the business. This includes helping founders evolve into new roles or build capacity across their teams.

Step Four: Channel Expansion

Once the foundation is in place, the focus shifts to revenue growth. Killara works with each portfolio brand to unlock new markets, expand retail and digital distribution, and streamline sales execution.

“You don’t just turn on the hose,” Macaulay says. “You build a pipeline that can handle the pressure. Otherwise, you drown.”

Step Five: Long-Term Thinking

At the core of Macaulay’s strategy is discipline.

“We’re not looking for short flips,” he says. “We’re building long-term value. That requires care, patience, and operational precision that most PE firms don’t want to touch. But we do.”

This approach has allowed Killara to scale without sacrificing integrity, while weathering market shifts and creating sustainable enterprise value across its expanding portfolio.

About Killara Outdoors

Killara Outdoors is a U.S.-based holding company scaling mission-driven outdoor brands through centralized infrastructure, operational excellence, and cultural alignment. With a multi-brand portfolio and offices in Texas, Colorado, and Hong Kong, Killara is setting a new standard in long-term brand building. Learn more at killara.com.

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