About CoreTactic

Transforming Careers and Businesses Through Expert Coaching

2,500+ Clients Served
4.9 Star Rating
25+ Years Experience
16 Team Specialists
Nick Rustad Career Coach, Founder of CoreTactic

Nick Rustad, MBA, CSM, CSPO

Founder & Chief Coach

Our Mission

"Our mission is to provide the best career and business coaching services. We want to add value and improve your results." We transform career challenges into opportunities for growth and success, providing personalized coaching that empowers professionals to discover their strengths, overcome obstacles, and achieve fulfilling careers.

Our Vision

"Our vision is that everyone who wants to thrive has the right, space, and time to do so!" We envision a world where every professional has access to the tools, guidance, and support needed to build a meaningful career and business, creating a ripple effect of success that extends beyond individuals to organizations and communities.

Our Story

CoreTactic was born from personal experience. Nick Rustad founded CoreTactic in August 2022 while still employed in corporate leadership. After an unexpected layoff in July 2023, Nick transformed this challenge into an opportunity to fully commit to revolutionizing career coaching and professional development. Drawing from his own experience working with executive coaches and personal brand experts, Nick expanded CoreTactic with a revolutionary vision: creating a comprehensive coaching ecosystem that addresses every aspect of career and personal transformation.

What began as a modest venture with two managing members has blossomed into a dynamic team of sixteen specialists providing integrated services in life and career coaching, business strategy consulting, business psychology services, personal branding, executive leadership development, and recruitment services. Today, CoreTactic stands as a testament to the power of resilience and vision, serving as a beacon for professionals seeking to navigate their own career transitions and business transformations.

About Our Founder

Nick's passion for technology and innovation springs from a profound family legacy. His father, Vernon Rustad, now 99 years old and living with Nick and his husband Travis, served as an electrician aboard the USS Prebble (DM20) during World War II in the South Pacific. Vernon's remarkable story of joining the Navy at just 16 years old and his subsequent work with electrical systems sparked Nick's early fascination with technology and its potential to transform lives.

Growing up in the small town of Holyoke in northern Minnesota and completing his education in nearby Wrenshall, Nick carried forward his father's spirit of determination and technical aptitude. As the first in his family to pursue higher education, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Development from the College of Saint Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota, followed by an MBA from the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management – achievements that marked significant milestones in his family's history.

Nick's Career Journey

1998-2000

Early Career Beginnings

Started professional career at The Pillsbury Company as Help Desk and Lotus Notes Admin, laying the foundation for a future in technology leadership.

2000-2004

Consulting Leadership

Served as Team Lead and Senior Consultant at Accenture, developing expertise in large-scale project management and team leadership.

2004-2008

Higher Education Sector

Worked as Courseroom Administrator at Capella University, gaining valuable experience in educational technology and support systems.

2008-2016

Leadership Expansion

Advanced through leadership roles at UCare Minnesota (2008-2011) and Faegre Baker Daniels LLP (2011-2016), managing enterprise systems and infrastructure teams while earning his MBA from the Carlson School of Management in 2017.

2015

Personal Milestone

Married husband Travis, establishing a personal and professional partnership that would later influence the family-centered approach at CoreTactic.

2017-2023

Executive Leadership

Served as Director of Cloud Transformation at Concurrency, Inc. (2017-2022) and Director of IT at Perficient (2022-2023), overseeing large teams and managing multi-million dollar client accounts and budgets.

August 2022

CoreTactic Founded

Founded CoreTactic while still working in corporate leadership, establishing the foundation for what would become his full-time focus after his corporate role ended.

July 2023

Full-Time Entrepreneurship

Following an unexpected layoff on July 28, 2023, Nick transformed this challenge into an opportunity by fully committing to CoreTactic, improving his approach to career coaching and professional development.

2023-Present

Growth & Impact

Expanded CoreTactic from two managing members to a dynamic team of sixteen specialists, personally mentoring over 2,500 clients from diverse backgrounds, and becoming a best-selling author and professional speaker.

Our Integrated Services

Life and Career Coaching

Personalized guidance to navigate transitions and achieve professional goals with confidence and clarity.

Business Strategy Consulting

Expert advice to optimize operations, drive growth, and overcome challenges in your business.

Business Psychology Services

Insights into human behavior and organizational dynamics to create healthier, more productive workplaces.

Personal Branding

Strategies to define, establish, and promote your unique professional identity and value proposition.

Executive Leadership Development

Programs to enhance leadership skills, emotional intelligence, and strategic decision-making abilities.

HighLevel CRM Implementation

Expert setup and customization of the all-in-one sales & marketing solution to transform your business operations.

What Our Clients Say

Our Core Values

Equity & Access

CoreTactic believes everyone deserves equal access to opportunities. We work hard to break down barriers that hold back marginalized individuals. Through our mission and vision, we provide advocacy, resources, and mentorship. We aim to create pathways to success for everyone.

Personalized Approach

We believe that each individual's career journey is unique. Our personalized approach goes beyond regular job search methods, focusing on creating successful career paths that match your specific values and goals.

Family-Centered Business

Working alongside his husband Travis and sharing a home with his father Vernon (99), Nick has built CoreTactic with family values at its center. This creates a warm, authentic approach to professional development that recognizes the human side of career growth.

Ready to Transform Your Career or Business?

Schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our expert coaches to discover how CoreTactic can help you achieve your professional goals.

Book Your Free Consultation

MEET THE FOUNDER & CEO

Hey, I'm Nick!

CoreTactic, founded in August 2022, is a personal and professional coaching company dedicated to helping clients achieve their career goals and entrepreneurial dreams. Our personalized and holistic approach goes beyond traditional job search strategies, focusing on sculpting fulfilling and prosperous career trajectories that align with your core values and ambitions.

Our mission is to provide the best possible career and business coaching services to you, to add value, and improve your outcomes.

Our vision is that everyone who wants to thrive has the right, space, and time to do so!

We specialize in:

  • Career transitions and improvements

  • Business start-up guidance

  • Tailored coaching methodologies

With hundreds of success stories, CoreTactic has established itself as a trusted partner in personal and professional development. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our memberships with reputable organizations such as the Better Business Bureau, Bark.com, Thumbtack, and UpWork.

Whether you're looking to advance in your current field, explore new career paths, or launch your own business, our professional coaches are here to guide you every step of the way. Find a coach near you today and take the first step towards realizing your full potential.

Equity and Access: CoreTactic believes that everyone deserves equal access to opportunities. We work tirelessly to dismantle systemic barriers that hinder marginalized individuals from realizing their potential. Through our mission and vision advocacy, resources, and mentorship, we strive to level the playing field and create pathways to success that are accessible to all.

Nick Rustad CoreTactic Career Coach

Our Testimonials

Scroll down to watch videos.

Jordan in Colorado

Information Technology

Greg in New Jersey

Education

Perry in Indiana

Marketing

Janelle Oklahoma

Anna Virginia

Marketing

An-Jeanette Texas

Health Care

Jordan Minneapolis

Human Resources

Nick Rustad Career Coach CoreTactic

"Let us give you a boost to exceed your goals! Faster..." - Nick Rustad, Co-Founder

At CoreTactic, we believe that every individual's unique journey enriches our collective experience. Our mission of transforming careers and businesses is fundamentally rooted in the understanding that diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences are essential to innovation and success. Read our career coaching blog or business coaching blog to learn successful tactics.

We embrace and celebrate the full spectrum of human diversity, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, physical ability, religious beliefs, political perspectives, and educational background. Our commitment to inclusivity isn't just a statement – it's woven into the fabric of how we coach, consult, and connect.

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