MOBILE, Ala. — The Mobile Chamber has named Pro356 Consulting a 2025 Small Business of the Year finalist, recognizing the company’s commitment to leadership development, business growth and service to the Gulf Coast community.

Founded by Rick Miller, Pro356 Consulting began as a way to provide business leaders and entrepreneurs with something many lacked: a trusted advisor outside their employee teams and a skilled facilitator for planning meetings and retreats. Drawing on his experience as a C-suite executive and fractional CFO, Rick created Pro356 to guide leaders and teams in discovering and developing their God-given talents and abilities.

Since its founding, Pro356 has grown into a full-service leadership consulting firm. Its offerings include executive and team coaching through the Trusted Advisor Program, small business coursework such as Emerging Leaders, Roadmap for Growth and Blueprint for Capital, quarterly and annual retreat facilitation, EOS/90 implementation and motivational speaking at leadership gatherings. Rick has also managed large-scale projects, including the launch of the Hatch Entrepreneurial Tech Center in Fairhope, which he led from 2017 through 2024.

To expand his expertise, Rick has earned certifications in Gallup High Performance Teams, TTI DiSC/EQ, Tiny Habits coaching and more, complementing his Harvard MBA and New York CPA credentials. These qualifications, combined with his faith-driven approach, have made Pro356 a trusted partner for business leaders across the region.

From 2023 to 2024, Pro356 grew by 30 percent. Rick credits this success to offering meaningful content that serves the community, helping leaders embrace accountability and balance through a coaching portal, and guiding teams with proven tools such as CliftonStrengths, Lencioni’s 5 Dysfunctions, Gallup’s Employee Engagement Q12 and EOS/90. These methods have helped many clients overcome challenges brought on by the pandemic and economic uncertainty.

“Pro356 exists to help leaders grow,” said founder Rick Miller. “I believe when individuals and teams are developing their strengths and living with purpose, organizations thrive and communities flourish. That’s why everything we do is designed to equip leaders for long-term success.”

Pro356’s contributions extend well beyond its client work. Rick launched and facilitated the Chamber’s Emerging Leaders Program from 2017–2022, a nationally recognized initiative. During the pandemic, he created and taught the Roadmap for Growth Program to ensure continuity.

Rick has also been a driving force in the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. He co-founded the Gulf Coast’s first biotech accelerator cohort in 2024 with Chris St. Pierre, bringing seven national biotech companies to the area, and helped start the Lower Alabama AI User Group, which has grown rapidly on both sides of the bay. He has served on the board of RAMP, mentored numerous startups, and was part of the team that launched Innovation Portal’s MoneyFest.

Community involvement is central to Rick’s mission. He has served as the Eastern Shore coordinator for Outback Ministry since 2015, serves in Food and Agape at the semi-annual weekend at Camp Grace, leads a men’s discipleship program and couples small group along with his wife at Freedom International Church and regularly mentors through startup weekends and youth programs.

“Our mission is to joyfully live out my faith by helping individuals and teams discover and develop their God-given talents and abilities,” Miller said. “It’s about equipping leaders to create healthier organizations and stronger communities. Being named a finalist for Small Business of the Year by the Mobile Chamber is both humbling and deeply meaningful.”