Our Story
We are experienced founders, owners, and operators. We started Grizzly Peak to give business owners the resources we needed when we grew our companies.
Behrang Pakzad
Behrang founded and operated an industry-leading design company. He is an expert in organizations, marketing, and customer retention.
He founded Walnut Creek Lighting Company, which he sold in 2023. For over 20 years, he grew, developed and established the company's industry-leading culture and reputation. He oversaw sustainable, long-term growth and cultivated a dedicated team that saw zero turnover in over two decades.
Since selling his company, Behrang remains active in his community and eager to help entrepreneurs and business owners. He is an avid sports fan and NBA guru. His kids attend school in Oakland, he has two lazy dogs and he co-hosts a podcast about current culture and hot topics.
Nathan Kleiner
Nathan is an attorney who founded and sold an e-commerce company. Now he helps other entrepreneurs and business owners achieve growth.
He is the founder and former CEO of Critical Pass, an e-commerce educational company, which he grew to a nationwide leader before it was acquired. Before founding Critical Pass, Nathan was a corporate litigator at Cooley LLP in San Francisco, where he focused on internet privacy and business litigation.
Since selling Critical Pass, Nathan has consulted for companies and serves as a mentor for aspiring Bay Area entrepreneurs.
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He is a cyclist, sports fan, and outdoor enthusiast. He lives with his wife and son in Oakland, his hometown.
Jeni Frudden
Jeni is a seasoned business strategist with extensive experience in law firm management and system optimization.
As a former law firm founder, Jeni understands the challenges business owners face, from managing operations to scaling effectively.
With a focus on streamlining operations and creating efficient systems, Jeni helps law firms and businesses improve productivity, reduce inefficiencies, and align their processes with long-term growth goals. She excels in developing practical solutions that enhance both owner and employee performance, enabling businesses to operate more smoothly and profitably.
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Jeni is a former NCAA athlete, where she ran for the University of Michigan. Originally from Iowa, she lives in Oakland with her husband and son.
Our Values
Guided by experience, driven by results, built on trust
1
Entrepreneurial Insight
We’ve walked in your shoes. Our experience as business owners gives us a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities you face.
4
Innovative Solutions
Every business is unique, and so are our strategies. We leverage creativity and data-driven insights to address complex challenges and uncover growth opportunities
2
Client-Centered Partnership
Your success is our success. We collaborate with you to develop personalized strategies and actionable solutions that align with your goals and aspirations.
5
Empathy & Understanding
We’ve walked in your shoes. Our firsthand experience as founders and business owners gives us a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities you face.
3
Integrity & Transparency
We believe in honest communication and delivering advice that’s grounded in reality, not just theory, ensuring the solutions we provide empower your business to thrive.
6
Results-Driven Action
We take the time to listen and learn, to understand your business and connect with your vision. Building meaningful relationships with our clients is at the heart of our mission.