John Licata Email & Phone Number

Current clients include:HOLO Footwear, Executive Advisor - Outside, performance footwear that's sustainable and attainableSneaker Impact, SVP/GM - Sneaker upcycling to micro-businesses in developing countries globallyLivie & Luca, Advisor - Handmade shoes of extraordinary comfort and durability, expertly designed for the healthy development of your little one’s precious feet.Physical Therapy Biz, Senior Advisor - Business Coaching for Health-Minded EntrepreneursThroughout my career I have held leadership positions for companies including Nordstrom, Wolverine Worldwide, Caleres, The Sak Brand Group, and Vida Shoes International, launching and scaling over a dozen kid's brands to the market. Along the way, I have developed executive-level relationships with major and independent retailers, brands and companies in the consumer goods, restaurant, retail, fitness and healthcare sectors and have developed expertise in the following areas:Brand StrategyBusiness CoachingTalent Acquisition/Team BuildingChannel Segmentation StrategiesSales, Marketing, Mindset & Customer Service StrategiesProduct Development PlanningForecasting/Merchandising EfficiencyGo-to-Market StrategiesDigital Commerce and MarketingFinancial Metrics and ProfitabilityLong Term Planning Independently, I have delivered market and brand analysis, strategic insight and/or coaching to major companies and brands in the consumer goods, restaurant, retail, exporting, health & fitness, and healthcare sectors including: NordstromDillard'sJCPenneyKids Foot LockerZapposBirkenstockUggSee Kai RunKizikPlaeLivie & LucaZimmerman ShoesDonegar GroupStudio Ray/ZeroXposur/GerryPhysical Therapy BizSneaker ImpactEnd of Three FitnessHOLO FootwearRIFRUFI look forward to exploring how I can help your organization build your brand/company by focusing on the right strategies, better connecting with and meeting the needs of your consumers/clients, while scaling revenue more profitably.

Us

Studio Ray was founded in 1988 and is a leader in the outdoor and active markets, designing, manufacturing, marketing and distributing outerwear, swimwear, performance apparel, active wear, accessories and footwear. Owned brands include Gerry and ZeroXposur• Spearhead brand strategy, collaborate with product development, develop channel strategy and seasonal product line plans, build out go-to-market strategies and tools• Leverage senior executive-level relationships to successfully launch the footwear category with major retailers, adding distribution partners including Nordstrom, Macys, DSW, Zappos, Kohl's, JCPenney, Burlington, Sierra, Amazon, Shoe Show and others.• Implement product, merchandising, marketing, and sales strategies to ensure divisional profitability

A global footwear organization, Vida designs, sources, markets and distributes fashion-forward and outdoor adventure footwear for women, men and children.Built and coached a team of 16, including 4 directors. Managed P&L, built out seasonal product line plans, developed go-to-market strategies and tools, spearheaded brand and category strategies with cross-functional teams: merchandising, product, digital, marketing, sales, planning and finance.• Led turnaround strategy of the Stride Rite brand, resulting in increased revenue, profitability and market share • Launched 6 new footwear brands to market - Stride Rite 360, Munchkin by Stride Rite, BCBG GIRLS, Hanna Andersson, JambuKD, and M.A.P.

Us

The Sak Brand Group is one of the largest lifestyle accessory companies in the country.Established a 3 year global footwear strategy to launch 3 brands to market, digital and wholesale. Managed P&L, directed activities, set budgets and collaborated with a team of 8, including 2 directors, working cross-functionally with sales, marketing, digital, finance, and merchandising.• Introduced the initial footwear collections for The Sak, Sakroots, and Elliott Lucca footwear brands to key U.S. and global partners in the department store, digital, family and specialty channels, leading to positive profit contribution in year 1• Initiated sourcing partners, collaborated with China and U.S. design and development teams, resulting in product integrity in the areas of fit, quality and performance

St. Louis, Missouri, Us

Caleres is a global footwear company representing a diverse portfolio of brands and retail businesses. Directed activities, established budgets, monitored selling expenses, collaborated with product, merchandising, marketing, and finance, while coaching a sales and customer service team of 14 people, including 2 directors for the Naturalizer brand.• Led team to increased revenue across multiple channels partnering with key retailers in the department store, catalog, family, digital and specialty retailer channels• Implemented several cost-cutting measures, realizing improved divisional profitability

Rockford, Mi, Us

Wolverine Worldwide is one of the world’s leading marketers and licensors of branded casual, active lifestyle, work, outdoor sport, athletic, children's and uniform footwear and apparel.Collaborated on brand product, selling and marketing strategies, directed activities, established and monitored budgets for a team of 12, including 2 directors and Canadian sales agency. • Consistently increased revenue and profitability for the Stride Rite brand throughout North America, increasing brand reach through expanded retail partnerships, channel growth, and CRM• Spearheaded the launch strategies of multiple brands to market, including Sperry Kids, Saucony Kids, Tommy Hilfiger Kids, Jessica Simpson Kids, and Born Kids

Rockford, Mi, Us

Stride RiteSperry KidsKeds KidsTommy Hilfiger Kids