I was recruited directly by the CEO at the operation’s start-up to devise a domestic US strategy, hire an expert sales team, and oversee a budget of $1M. Reported exclusively to the CEO in Italy. I closely collaborated with CFO to recruit US customer support and primary operational teams, serving as de facto HR leader.Collaboratively designed, built and introduced to the market a full collection of products, services, and world renowned expertise in the optical frames and sunglasses.► Personally opened 100 key accounts that were ultimately responsible for 70% of the company’s overall global sales. ► In the company’s first year, sold over $3M and increased at a rate of over 1M per year for the first six years, with eventual annual sales totaling nearly $10M and just under one million units sold.► Gained a strong understanding of product design and the manufacturing process from beginning to end and its related costs while working in Belluno, Italy.Some of my highlights include the following:▬ Landed Wal-Mart as a client in 1996. Pioneered their entry into the optical retail sector, began selling product in three locations and ended up with a presence in over 2,700 locations in 2004. Sales increased from approximately $750K per year in 1999 to over $5M in 2004. Became one of Wal-Mart’s top three vendors in the category and invited by company management to spearhead and participate in strategic vendor-partner closed meetings, with a special presence at the company’s high-level Saturday morning meetings at Wal-Mart HQ in Bentonville, Arkansas. ▬ At the end of 1999 personally assembled a well-established investment group to purchase the US portion of the parent company’s distribution arm. ▬ Continued to grow sales and boosted profit margin to over 30%. ▬ In 2005, sold shares to majority partners and exited the company, leaving it at its strongest historical footing of over $14M in yearly revenue.

In this role where and reporting to the Sales Manager, I developed a comprehensive sales strategy to boost market footprint for one of the world’s top manufacturers of optical products.My team expanded the firm’s North and South American optical frames and sunglasses distribution from its base in Barcelona, Spain by developing a lucrative South Florida territory ranging from Key West to Palm Beach County. We trained doctors on optimal sales initiatives by conducting client-facing, in office lectures with doctors and staff on product features and benefits versus competitors; assisted in training regional salespeople and hiring of new personnel. Some role highlights include:▬ Increased territory sales by 30% in first three months of employment to become the top regional salesperson.▬ Promoted based on sales to Key Account Manager after six months, leading to extensive travel across the country to the firm’s 50 major accounts. ▬ Increased overall company sales by over $3M per year and opened over 100 new accounts in three years.▬ Improved North and South American markets from $1M annual sales to over $3M per year, far exceeding expected annual growth objectives of 10% per year.