Welcome…

Spartan by Design Consulting was built on a simple belief: most startup failures are not caused by lack of passion — they’re caused by lack of clarity.

I bring decades of real-world operating experience, including long-term restaurant ownership, to founders who want practical guidance before making major commitments. I’ve seen firsthand how easily enthusiasm can outpace preparation — and how costly that gap can become.

In addition to hands-on business experience, I hold a Master’s degree in Education. That background shapes how I work. I don’t overwhelm clients with theory or generic advice. I help them think clearly, break complex processes into manageable steps, and understand not just what to do — but why it matters.

Opening a restaurant or launching a small business involves real capital, regulatory agencies, inspections, timelines, and risk. Leases get signed. Build-outs run long. Cash flow tightens. What looks simple on paper becomes complex in execution.

My role is not to sell optimism, and it’s not to discourage ambition. My role is to help founders pressure-test their ideas before those ideas become expensive.

Sometimes that means strengthening and refining a concept so it has a real chance of success. Other times it means slowing down, adjusting scope, or reconsidering the timing altogether.

Both outcomes are valuable.

Spartan by Design exists for serious founders — people willing to examine assumptions, understand procedural realities, and make disciplined decisions before irreversible commitments are made.

Clarity before commitment.

Most consultants tell you what to do. I show you how to build it. My name is Marc Ravaris, and I have spent over four decades in the ‘trenches’ of entrepreneurship. My background isn’t just in business; it’s in proven survival and scaling.

• The Logistics of Excellence: For 20 years as the owner of Mountain Sound Inc., I managed the high-pressure world of live event production and audio-visual logistics. In that industry, there is no room for error. I learned how to build resilient systems that perform under the brightest spotlights.

• The Art of the Brand: As the founder of El Capitan’s, I took a simple concept and turned it into a Bellingham institution. I didn’t just sell food; I designed a brand, culture, and operational workflows that allowed a small business to achieve outsized success and local legendary status.

Why this matters for your startup: I’ve navigated the ‘expensive mistakes’ of staffing, scaling, and system failures so you don’t have to. But ‘street smarts’ are only half the equation. My M.Ed. in Adult Education and Instructional Design allows me to take my 40 years of experience and translate it into a clear, structured ‘curriculum’ for your success.

At Spartan by Design, I don’t just offer advice—I help you create a toolbox with tools that enable you to build your business with a solid foundation. There are many challenges throuhout the startup process and no business is guaranteed success. Starting correctly sets the foundation to help ensure the best chance for potential success.

Our 90–120 minute initial consultation is a structured, practical review of your startup idea before you commit serious time or capital. We clarify where you are, what you understand, and what you may be underestimating. If you are planning a restaurant, we also evaluate location strategy, procedural exposure, and build-out realities.