Barbour Spangle Design Reclaims Focus, Strengthens Leadership, and Charts a Clear Path to Growth with GCE Strategic Consulting
Client Snapshot
Barbour Spangle Design (BSD) is a 25-year-old interior design firm based in High Point, North Carolina. Founded by Christi Barbour and later joined by partner Christi Spangle, the firm had become a leading multi million dollar business. While BSD was well-established and successful, it was facing growing pains that threatened to stall progress.
Christi Barbour, the company’s Visionary, was wearing too many hats—juggling high-level strategy and day-to-day execution. Organizational stress was mounting, and the expansion into a new service area was beginning to impact the organization's focus.
That’s when BSD turned to GCE Strategic Consulting.
The Challenge
BSD needed help in multiple areas, including:
Allowing the Visionary to focus on their Visionary role
Coaching and evaluating internal leadership talent
Navigating complex organizational change without disrupting operations
Strengthening operational systems and EOS® implementation
Resolving issues with the new service area expansion
Building a path toward sustainable growth for the company and the staff
Behind these challenges were deep emotional and strategic decisions—ones that required more than a consultant. BSD needed a steady partner who could bring order, empathy, and EOS® expertise.
The GCE Approach
GCE provided a blend of Fractional Integrator services, coaching, and hands-on leadership support. Rather than recommend sweeping changes from the outside, GCE embedded itself within BSD’s team to:
Assess and coach a very strong internal operations leader, as a potential Integrator
Provide transition plans to reduce disruption as leadership roles evolved
Facilitate tough decisions with clarity and calm, including the roll up of the new service area into the core business
Define clear accountabilities and model a culture of data-driven decision-making
Support succession planning and professional development pathways for team members
Throughout, GCE brought the full weight of the EOS® framework—but tailored to BSD’s unique environment culture.
The Turning Point
With GCE’s guidance, BSD made the difficult choice to wind down the new service offering venture and incorporate what was learned into the core business. This brought renewed focus, operational stability, and stress relief. It also paved the way for a stronger leadership structure and clear accountabilities.
The Results
Leadership Realignment: Christi Barbour was able to focus on her strengths as a Visionary. A strong Operations Manager was supported and trained as the new Integrator, with clarity around expectations and authority. Christi Barbour and the new Integrator, Brianne Berstat, created a strong Visionary-Integrator relationship.
Business Focus Restored: The new service offering was scaled down and rolled into the core business, allowing the core business to regain focus and momentum.
Operational Maturity: BSD improved execution across all six EOS® components, laying the foundation for future growth.
Succession & Team Development: GCE improved capabilities for exploring personal development tracks, for key staff and succession planning strategies to ensure future readiness.
Why It Worked
BSD didn’t just need EOS® advice—they needed someone to guide them through change with structure, organizational change experience and understanding of the BSD cultural values.. GCE’s practical application of EOS®, commitment to listening, and ability to keep emotions steady made all the difference.
“EOS® knowledge and practical application into their environment… willingness to move toward tough issues… and the ability to keep things calm and steady when stress levels started going up.”
What They’d Tell Another CEO
If Christi were to speak to another founder navigating similar challenges, she might say:
“Getting our EOS® house in order made a huge difference. But what really mattered was having someone with the organizational change experience and consulting skills to guide us through the necessary changes and leave us stronger on the other side.”
How GCE Engages
Every client story is unique, but the way GCE engages is consistent and intentional. Through a structured three-call intake process, we clarify goals, map leadership needs, and align the right operator to the right seat. This ensures clients don’t just get support—they get the right support.
As a strategic consulting firm, GCE has partnered with hundreds of growth-minded businesses across industries and geographies. Our team brings experience in EOS®, M&A, private equity, and turnaround situations, with proven results from pre-revenue startups to Fortune 50 enterprises.
Whether you need a Fractional Integrator, COO, CFO, CRO, CHRO, recruiter, or executive coach, GCE provides fractional leadership resources that embed directly into your company to deliver clarity, accountability, and execution.
Ready to experience the same transformation?
Contact GCE Strategic Consulting to learn how we help CEOs and leadership teams scale with confidence and clarity—no matter what stage of growth you’re in.
