Denis Iliev
One senior operator. 16+ years of building revenue for companies from idea-stage startups to global scale-ups.
I have spent my career on the commercial front line: $19.7M+ in qualified pipeline built, 14 consecutive quarters over quota, markets opened in 27+ countries across 6 continents, teams scaled from 2 to 20+ people while cutting new-hire turnover from 54% to 6%.
Along the way I co-founded two companies: BEVUP, a live startup operating in 27+ countries with 150+ venues signed, and Bridgehead Leads, a B2B growth agency. Since 2019 I have run Tell Sell Excel, helping startups validate ideas before they build and helping small businesses turn founder-dependent sales into engines that run on their own.
I work in English, Bulgarian and Russian, remote-first from the EU, with clients across Europe.
Small companies need the whole growth chain, not another specialist
Companies under 50 people face an impossible choice. A full-time Head of Growth is a €60-100k+ bet they cannot afford to get wrong. Agencies want retainers before results. Freelancers execute tasks but own nothing. Meanwhile the founder does all the selling, and growth stalls the moment they look away.
Tell Sell Excel is my answer: one senior operator who covers validation, marketing, sales and process - who diagnoses, decides and does. Scoped to the problem, obsessed with ROI, built on zero lock-in. Selected early-stage startups I help free of charge, because validated founders become clients and referrers later. That model has worked since 2019.
Numbers I stand behind
single-product yearly profit, €5M manufacturing client
funding secured for a client, plus a full production plant build
total yearly costs after supplier renegotiation for an SME
qualified pipeline built, 14 straight quarters over quota
countries opened across 6 continents as a co-founder
team scaled, new-hire turnover cut from 54% to 6%
Client results anonymized until published with permission. Career numbers are Denis's personal track record. References available on request.
Operator rules
- Operator, not advisor. I have carried quota, opened markets and co-founded companies. I execute, not just recommend.
- The full growth chain in one person. Validation, marketing, sales and process - so you do not have to hire three specialists.
- ROI obsession, zero lock-in. Engagements scoped to the problem and built to end. What I build stays with you.
- Modern tooling. Clay, Instantly, Apollo, HubSpot - automated engines your team keeps and runs.
Let's talk about your growth problem
A free 30-45 minute working session. Real advice you can use the same day - no pitch, no obligation.