Working with retailers and suppliers to maximize sales growth• Sales, Territory & Account Growth/Management• Product Development/Merchandising• Client Engagement, Relations & Retention• New Business Development/Relationship-Building• High-Impact Sales Presentations/Negotiation• Strategic Sales Plan Development• Client Engagement, Relations & Retention• Key Account Management• Expert Custom Merchandising• Merchandising with Metrics (NEW)-Fox River Mills, Key Accounts, merchandising, key account manager and rep management - Current-LilyTrotters, working to increase account base and help with sourcing -Current-Accessory Exchange, successfully worked to increase account base -Claire's Boutique, worked with top management on strategy to take Claire's brand to retail beyond current store baseAccomplished and results-driven sales, business development, marketing and key account management professional with extensive experience in staff leadership, increasing profitability, account maintenance/client retention, forecasting/budgetary compliance and driving sales team to exceed objectives. Skilled negotiator, analyst and communicator who focuses on increasing revenue through developing strong relations with accounts, developing value-added business plans and articulating/driving a business case. Successful at leveraging market, financial/technical analysis and compliance knowledge to compile strong value propositions and close revenue growth. Highly-effective in deciphering customer requirements, overcoming objections, resolving inquiries and securing commitments. 
One of the former owners of Fox River, Jeff Lessard, gave me a quote to use: Dan has great experience and knowledge of what makes buyers tick. He has a particular gift of analyzing accounts at the SKU level. In other words seeing the big picture and communicating that to buyers.

Successfully opened new large key accounts in multiple retail channels, small chain stores and independent retail business. Managed and grew business with 17 Pendleton, 12 Stride Rite independent reps and international rep groups-Directly opened four large new retail accounts in under one year: REI, Nordstrom Rack, Nordstrom and Big 5 adding $5M sales and 12% in company total business achieving or surpassing target margins by working with product development and design utilizing trends and merchandising metrics-Expanded Fred Meyer/Kroger business 32% in men’s outdoor by identifying trends and developing product needs in target market-Directed the merchandising plan that increased BJ Wholesale SKUs 300%-Grew stagnant independent retail business 24% while maintaining target margin by direct business targeting, recruiting multi tiered rep groups and initiating quarterly newsletters to independent reps for improved communication and product awareness -Achieved 110% growth in Pendleton company stores to $310K by improved synchronization of marketing plans with Pendleton management -Streamlined processes for faster company interaction with independent reps saving the -Customer Service Dept precious time and allowing independent reps to focus on sales

Fox River Mills, Osage, IA - High End Outdoor Domestic Hosiery Manufacturer with $25M Annual Sales Vice President of Key AccountsJuly 2012 to Present. Started as a consultant in 2005Managed and grew key accounts for Fox River Mills. Worked with ownership, marketing, product development and Sales VP with other reps to grow targeted accounts by marketing directly to an accounts specific needs. Costco, Cabela’s, REI, Target, Bass Pro, Kroger, Meijer, JC PenneyResearched, worked with product development and outside designers to create the ‘Scrubs’ brand for Fox River. This was targeted to our valuable farm stores to add a profitable category for the retailers and $1.5M additional business for Fox River.Developed in-depth competitive analyses and marketing strategies to enhance accounts effectiveness in expanding market penetration in the highly competitive hosiery industry. I still visit stores on a weekly basis to stay on top of new trends and look for the next trend.Challenge:Fox River is the oldest sock branded mill in America, producing some of the highest quality socks available.Obstacle:Fox River was losing key account business from longtime customers.Solution:Utilize market and quantitative analysis for each key account to summarize their business and show merchandising solutions from Fox River that could positively impact each unique accounts sales.Outcome:We expanded business in Cabela’s by 10%, doubled REI business, refreshed Fred Meyer business and expanded to Kroger stores where business is up 40% this year. Although Sears was closing stores, the private label business at Sears grew and was the most profitable for Sears Men’s accessories.

I was a Business Development Specialist as a consultant part time in charge of opening new accounts. Resulted in opening eight large retail accounts and gaining a major account’s complete private label business in less than 2 years.Challenge:Value and fashion driven hosiery start up based in New York from a venerable hand bag company looking to expand into hosiery beyond Walmart stores.Obstacle:Attract buyers from major retailers to incorporate us into their market schedule and give us serious consideration.Solution:We created an attractive e-mail and cold call strategy with market correct styling, specially directed planograms and leading costs incentives. I worked with designers to merchandise lines to attract the accounts we were targeting. Utilized analytics to increase current business.Outcome:In the first 18 months we expanded to eight new retailers and shipped $2.6M.

Jewelry Wholesaler with Project Runway licenseI was hired as CEO to rescue troubled jewelry company. Oversaw all sourcing, product development, sales and P&L.Challenge:I was brought in to help a struggling jewelry company regain lost business.Obstacle:The company was spun off from Claire’s after they were acquired by Apollo Management and had lost momentum in the market place.Solution:I used Claire’s influence to obtain the Project Runway license. We focused on improving our sourcing, timing to market and sales strategy.Outcome:We gained a major 100+ store shoe retailer in the first year with three fixtures per store. Recruited professional outside sales reps to gain specialty retail business.

Claire’s Accessories: I was asked to join as a consultant after pitching a proposal to take the Claire’s brand to outside retailers. Worked closely with the Co-CEOs to take this to fruition.