Most small business owners know the frustration of pouring money into ads or hiring new staff, only to see potential customers slip through the cracks. For Millika Grant, founder of Consolve, that challenge became the spark for building something different. Through the Master of Business Creation (MBC) program at the University of Utah, Grant is transforming her vision into a system that shows small businesses how to make their customer-relationship management (CRM) system work like their best employee.
“Most people think of a CRM as a glorified contact list,” Grant said. “But if used right, it can be your best employee — the one who books calls, follows up instantly, and never takes a day off.”
The idea first took root years ago when a fridge repair technician left notes on pink slips, a small detail that underscored how many businesses were relying on patchwork systems. After graduating and working with small businesses directly, Grant noticed the same struggle everywhere. “We saw over and over again that businesses weren’t failing because they lacked customers,” she explained. “They were failing because they didn’t have the systems in place to turn those customers into revenue.”
With encouragement from her husband, Grant decided to leave behind the traditional nine-to-five path and pursue entrepreneurship, even if the journey would be challenging. “We realized the pain of entrepreneurship was worth it compared to the pain of not building something that could help others,” she said.
Today, Consolve brings enterprise-level revenue operations to small businesses generating $500,000 to $5 million annually — a segment Grant calls “deeply underserved.” Unlike DIY software that overwhelms owners or boutique consultants who take months to deliver results, Consolve installs a fully customized, done-for-you system in just 90 days. Each setup is tied to clear Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), so business owners see results quickly. “Our offer is framed around outcomes, not tools,” Grant said. “We guarantee improvements like faster lead response, stronger show rates, and more booked calls.”
Rather than rejecting one-size-fits-all CRM platforms like HubSpot or Zoho, Consolve helps businesses finally get full value from them. “The technology itself is one-size-fits-all, but without an expert setup it becomes overwhelming,” Grant explained. “That’s where we come in—our service bridges the gap so business owners actually use the tools they’re already paying for.”
The company’s newest offer is not built on theory but on two years of hands-on marketing operations experience. Grant worked directly with clients, tested systems, and refined processes before shaping Consolve’s current model. “We learned what worked, what didn’t, and what needed to be reframed,” she said. “That experience is what allowed us to design a system that truly fits small businesses.”
Consolve is now seeking founding clients to create case studies that showcase measurable impact. The goal is ambitious: to scale to $1 million in annual recurring revenue while proving that small businesses deserve the same level of operational excellence as larger companies. “If I could tell a hesitant business owner one thing,” Grant said, “it’s this: your CRM can either be dead weight, or it can be your most valuable employee.”
Consolve is still young, but its category-creating approach is already reshaping how small businesses think about growth and technology. By combining enterprise power with small business accessibility, the company is positioning itself not just as a service provider, but as a long-term growth partner.
Learn more about Consolve at consolve.io.
