Compass is a selective and private collection of top notch Minnesota CEOs who share the best practices of leading and growing our companies. Our groups are 100% confidential, disciplined, super-efficient and committed to each others' success.

Walden Backyards (Walden Products LLC) is a growing company marketing America's finest BackyardingTM products. Founded in 2015. Walden's products are sold on the Walden Backyards website, Amazon, and other premium retailers nationwide. Walden's lineup includes premium quality fire pits, fire starters, fire pokers, cooking grates, etc.

Led one of Minnesota's peer-sharing organizations for leaders of small to medium sized companies. Having been a member for many years, Michael ran the organization as it continued to grow until 2022.

* Founded a specialty lawn and garden tool manufacturing company. Grew the company from start up to $10 million by way of a national network of independent reps. Built brand and sold to small and big box retailers. Used global and local manufacturing partners. * Built a successful national brand and product line from the ground up. Pioneered a new category in the industry by applying consumer (CPG) marketing experience to the lawn & garden market. * Promoted brand and product line with an aggressive PR campaign nationwide. Delivered a sharp increase in retail sales while reducing annual promotional budget by nearly $400,000. * Sold a full line of lawn & garden tools to retailers across the US and Canada, employing a network of 200 independent sales reps. Grew the company from zero revenue to $10 million. * Persuaded national retailer to replace our competitors, granting us exclusive national distribution. Built a strong relationship with the buyer and aggressively satisfied their objectives. * Overcame repeated competitive attacks by deploying customer segment teams. Held position as #1. * Achieved INC 500 status, recognized twice as one of America’s fastest-growing private companies. Sales climbed through the introduction of innovative products and gains in national distribution. * Revived company sales, delivering a 13% gain in revenues and a $600,000 increase in profitability within one year. * Collaborated with suppliers and vendor partners to improve product and packaging designs. Held gross margins steady in the face of rising material costs.* Negotiated favorable company sale with acquirer and successfully exceeded earn-out projections.

* Led the national sales force in C-Store channel. Directed an organization of 60 reps.* Led a cross-functional team from conception, through development and successful introduction of a full line of specialty food products.* Strategized, planned and executed the assembly of successful national sales team.* Delivered monthly sales increases averaging 20% over prior year.

* Managed key elements of the marketing mix for this leading national brand in healthy frozen foods.* Overhauled products and packaging to hold retail points of distribution in the face of increased competitive threats. Held and increased points of distribution over the previous year. * Introduced dozens of successful new SKUs to markets, supported with efficient and cohesive mix of packaging, promotions, advertising, PR, POP merchandising, and sales tools. * Leveraged brand, building broadened distribution base via new product line.* Managed numerous vendors and agencies to ensure timely, effective delivery of plan objectives.

* Managed and extended the line of an emerging brand in refrigerated specialty consumer products.* Planned and executed annual marketing plans, consistently surpassing sales and profitability objectives. * Launched three new products into national distribution within one year with efficient promotional mix.* Professionalized the brand blueprint, set clear standards for branding and improved the consistency of execution throughout packaging and promotional elements.

* Sold leading national brands of packaged soaps and detergents to retailers across Minnesota.* Doubled territory sales within first seven months by meeting with customers to learn their goals then followed up with customized presentations. Ranked #1 in the nation in two sales contests.* Trained, coached and motivated salespeople who met and exceeded company sales objectives. * Championed six successful product introductions in my territory. Was promoted to key accounts.