Professional Info
I am a startup entrepreneur with primary experience in salesmanship, UX, marketing research, content writing and database management. I love managing site databases and growing membership and publishing helpful, concise information. The key to success is to create honest, genuine value for others. I enjoy shaping a vision based on the customer's perspective, understanding cause and effect, identifying unintended consequences and putting my imagination to the test.
Work Experience
Cofounder, President, Biveo.com
12/2014 - Present | Grand Haven, MI
With 3 additional cofounders and private equity funding of $500k, led the development, launch and currently manage the daily operations of Biveo.com. Signed up about 800 of the 1,100+ small business videographer that list rates on Biveo over the course of 20 months. Led UX blueprinting, marketing research, content writing, advertising and PR.
Skills
Entrepreneurial Vision
Salesmanship
Sales Process Engineering
Usability/Customer Experience
Ethical Marketing
Brand Leadership
Public Speaking
Game Theory/Competition
Business Development
Public Relations
Buyer Psychology
Operations Efficiency
Sales Management
Project Management
Web Developer General
Mac iWork
Microsoft Office Professional
SEO/SEM
General HTML
2010 - present
Founder, President, MoversReviewed.com
3/2010 - 12/2012 | Chicago, IL
Managed staff of 8 mostly data collectors, 2 web developers, and personally worked around the clock researching all aspects of the moving industry to present moving information in the most concise way ever; Provided programmers and designers with a specific blueprint; Set up several cross-checks and balances to ensure accurate data; compiled all parts into finished product; Designed PR and marketing to shock and awe customers; Signed up over 1,200 moving company locations (roughly 300 accounts) within 5 months of launch (3 times faster than my rate with BusRates; Sold 100% to Gannett Co. Inc. (NYSE: GCI), The McClatchy Co. (NYSE: MNI), Tribune Co. (OTC: TRBAB) and Classified Venture's jointly-owned HomeFinder.com on December 4, 2012.
2010 - present
Founder, Director, COO, BusRates.com, Inc.
1/2004 - 10/2012 | Alexandria, VA
Fanatically worked 16 hours per day for 4-1/2 years without interruption to develop the charter bus industry's leading online bus charter booking tool, directory and guide. A one-man S corp that hired its first employee in 2009, and by mid 2010 had grown to 950 paying bus company accounts (surpassing $800k in annual revenue by 2012), first place rank on search engines for nearly every bus charter-related keyword (140,000 visitors/month). Sold 60% controlling interest, and relocated to United Mororcoach Association in January of 2009. Sold remaining 40% in December of 2012. Revenue reached $800k/year for 2012.
Account Manager, The BusBank
4/2003 - 11/2003 | Chicago, IL
One of 50 employees, or 30 account managers performing inside commissioned phone sales to inquiring customer for brokered bus charters; Learned that bus companies did not like having a middleman between them and their customer; The broker model relies on taking advantage of that percentage of customers that did not shop around before purchasing. Reduced and delayed payment to bus companies and employees inspired BusRates.com.
Various Other
1988 - 2003
1 Year: Installing residential siding, windows, doors, roofing; Mastic certification (Cumulative).
2 Years: 100% commission home improvement outside sales ('01-'02).
1 Year: Furniture store floating manager (1996).
6 Years: Millwork Associate, Assistant Manager for Home Depot and Menards while attending college. Customer service, learned installations, taught window install clinic ('94 - '01).
7 Seasons: Landscaping crew leader, owner, starting in high school ('88 - '93).
Education
Illinois State University
1997 - 2000
Bachelors of Science in Marketing. Summa Cum Laude, GPA: 3.93/4.0. Golden Key Honor Society; Awarded small scholarship from Marketing Research professor Jim Cox; Intramural basketball and volleyball; Day traded the dot com bubble. High class participation; Read project instructions from professor's perspective, asked questions, reviewed other projects for clues and ideas for achieving "A+" work; Requested the Dean bring back the class "Advanced Personal Selling".
Heritage High School
1988 - 1990
Graduated Cum Laude 3.0/4.0 GPA. Varsity tennis; Competed in academic track for freehand drawing and piano.