How TAP Helped a Water Systems Business Chart New Currents

Renegade Solutions, LLC, a woman-owned business based in Reading, Pennsylvania, specializes in designing, programming, and maintaining industrial control systems for the water and wastewater industry. Since its founding, Renegade Solutions has delivered innovative SCADA solutions to small municipalities and townships, enabling them to modernize and protect their critical infrastructure.

​By 2024, owner Heather Heltzinger was ready to tackle the next stage of growth. While Renegade Solutions LLC had a strong technical reputation, the business experienced liquidity problems due to inconsistent customer payments, and a need for financial forecasting tools were slowing momentum. To help ease the cash flow burden, Heather had signed on for a predatory line of credit, which put both her and her business at risk.

That’s where TAP came in.

A DEEP DIVE INTO SOLUTIONS

Renegade Solutions joined TAP’s 2024 Deep Dive program—an intensive, multi-week engagement designed to help business owners tackle their biggest challenges. In a Deep Dive, two consultants are paired with a single business owner to provide hands-on, customized support. Over several months, they analyze the business, develop tailored tools, and deliver an actionable plan for growth.

From September 2024 through January 2025, TAP consultants Jonnet Solomon and Samantha Garbus worked closely with Heather to build a stronger financial foundation and create strategies for stability and growth.

​Key areas of focus:

• Build a clear cash flow model and forecasting framework (with strategies to pay down high-interest line of credit)

• Introducing easy-to-use budgeting and financing spreadsheets

• Exploring funding opportunities and strategies for growth

• Supporting mindset shifts toward financial planning and resilience

IMMEDIATE IMPACT

At the close of the Deep Dive, Heather described the experience as “empowering and informative,” noting how the mentorship changed her perspective on business finances:

“The budgeting tools and cash flow ideas that were imparted onto us have already given me a different perspective about finances and truly got my brain thinking in a different way… I was provided some wonderful tools that are completely invaluable and have already started making a difference in how we do our business.”

Heather also praised the consultants for their positivity and expertise:

“I looked forward to our meetings every week because it was very empowering to talk to other ladies with way more experience than me… We have been given so many tools, ideas, and knowledge about processes that I would not have been able to find on my own.”

The consultant Samantha reflected on the partnership:

“The client and her business are great—interesting, successful with a lot of potential. And I feel like our work made a real impact.”

Post-engagement survey results:

• Very Satisfied with the project

• Strongly Agrees she is better equipped to advance her business

• Extremely Likely to recommend TAP

THREE MONTHS LATER: PROGRESS AND MOMENTUM

Despite a few tough months due to delayed payments and time spent working in California, Heather has been quick to apply what she learned:

• Revenue growth: Sales up 85% compared to two years ago, and 18% year-over-year

• Team expansion: Grew from two full-time and one part-time employee to three full-time employees

• New offerings:

  • Developing a standalone educational/technical support app that will open access to a loan from the Benjamin Franklin investment arm of Pennsylvania

  • Expanding TikTok presence with wastewater process videos

  • Creating a new revenue stream from merchandise and technical content

LOOKING AHEAD

With a clear financial roadmap and confidence in new digital strategies, Renegade Solutions is entering its next chapter prepared to scale. By pairing stronger cash flow discipline with innovative outreach on TikTok, Heather is strengthening operations, expanding visibility, and positioning the company for sustainable growth.

Renegade’s story is a reminder that no matter where a small business owner is on their journey—just starting out, in a growth phase, running a mature company, or planning for an eventual exit--TAP offers programs, content, and tools that meet them where they are and help them move forward with confidence.

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​TAP’s no-cost consulting programs help small business owners overcome obstacles, seize opportunities, and plan for growth.

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