Robert Williams Email & Phone Number

Cleveland, Ohio, United States

• Joined the GHURKA organization at a critical time as the iconic American Luxury Leather Brand was in the initial planning process of shifting from six years of DTC to full B2B expansion. Quickly established wholesale strategies with Corporate Partnerships, Golf Clubs, and traditional Men's & Gift Retailers. Positioned the company for growth through branding, restructuring, and new product strategies.• Successfully launched the GHURKA in New York, Dallas, & Chicago markets while adding… Show more • Joined the GHURKA organization at a critical time as the iconic American Luxury Leather Brand was in the initial planning process of shifting from six years of DTC to full B2B expansion. Quickly established wholesale strategies with Corporate Partnerships, Golf Clubs, and traditional Men's & Gift Retailers. Positioned the company for growth through branding, restructuring, and new product strategies.• Successfully launched the GHURKA in New York, Dallas, & Chicago markets while adding PR/Marketing initiatives to facilitate the brand's reintroduction to retailers & consumers.• Initiate omni-channel strategies for this global lifestyle brand; launching in Japan with Tomorrowland's Maison et Voyages concept stores, exclusive Country Clubs, and luxury Men's stores, that include Stanley Korshak, Oak Hall, John Craig, & Larrimor's.• Working closely with a talented team including Creative Director John Truex to expand the GHURKA Collection back into mobility-travel with the launch of two-wheeled Kilburn Trolleys and four-wheeled Travelers in 2024. Multiple elevated and updated new silhouettes added in 2023 and planned for 2024. • Growing by adding with new talent in eCommerce, Marketing, and Sales, as we build and support our passionate team members across all departments.• Maintain powerful client relationships in DTC, supporting & augmenting long-term corporate partnerships, all while reintroducing and nurturing new wholesale partners.• Part of Luxury Leather Brands, LLC executive leadership team. Show less

Nashville, Tn

BOCONI was established in 2010...created in Nashville as the fusion of "BO" (Bobby) + "CONI" (Connie). A leather lifestyle luxury Brand, featuring drop-dead gorgeous Italian leathers, antiqued vintage hardware, and signature fresh plaid linings.From our beginning launch with Nordstrom in 2010 featuring 3 stunning Men's Leather Goods Collections: 'Collins Calf', 'Tyler Tumbled', and 'Hendrix Retro', we have grown to over 6 Bag Collections, dozens of Wallet Collections, adding a robust… Show more BOCONI was established in 2010...created in Nashville as the fusion of "BO" (Bobby) + "CONI" (Connie). A leather lifestyle luxury Brand, featuring drop-dead gorgeous Italian leathers, antiqued vintage hardware, and signature fresh plaid linings.From our beginning launch with Nordstrom in 2010 featuring 3 stunning Men's Leather Goods Collections: 'Collins Calf', 'Tyler Tumbled', and 'Hendrix Retro', we have grown to over 6 Bag Collections, dozens of Wallet Collections, adding a robust offering of handmade Belts from Italy in 2015. BOCONI has expanded into Leather Bracelets, rich Cashmere Scarves and seasonal Accessories offerings. Besides BOCONI "Plaid About You" Linings, we feature RFID Protected Security Pockets in every Bag since 2014 and every Wallet since 2012. Each BOCONI Bag has Air-Pocket-Pillow Laptop sections, as well as iPad sections, many with Piggy-back slide-thru back panels to go over rolling Trolley Handles. We are committed to constantly innovating and improving our features and benefits, upping our performance aspects...all while keeping our styling understated and effortless. A Modern American Spin on the Classics. Sold the BOCONI Brand to Unified Leather and continued as Founder | President; restarted R. Madison. Inc. Consulting Show less

London, England, United Kingdom

Entered into partnership with 3 UK Entrepreneurs who started a business in 2004, Gonz Ltd; dba Knomo LONDON...a hip, vibe brand with tech-roots and euro-fashion savvy energy, along with 2 US Investors. The 6 Investors established a 2nd Entity, Knomo USA LLC, which I ran as Managing Director; sold my US equity position 2010 to start BOCONI Bags & Leather.The Gonz Ltd Board has taken on further financing with Investments from The Capital Fund to bolster their endeavors globally.… Show more Entered into partnership with 3 UK Entrepreneurs who started a business in 2004, Gonz Ltd; dba Knomo LONDON...a hip, vibe brand with tech-roots and euro-fashion savvy energy, along with 2 US Investors. The 6 Investors established a 2nd Entity, Knomo USA LLC, which I ran as Managing Director; sold my US equity position 2010 to start BOCONI Bags & Leather.The Gonz Ltd Board has taken on further financing with Investments from The Capital Fund to bolster their endeavors globally. I retain an Equity stake in the Knomo UK Intl Business Entity (Gonz Ltd). Show less

London, United Kingdom

Managing Partners with Charlie Clifford & Larry Lein (Founder and Exec VP of Tumi), along with Knomo UK Partners...headquartered in London. As the only Managing Partner involved in the day-to-day US LLC, I spearheaded the entire Business Venture...single-handedly set-up the Operations, Distribution, Accounting Structure to start-up the entity. Built the majority of the Distribution by cultivating the knomo brand with my +20 year realtionships with Better Travel Goods & Men's Specialty… Show more Managing Partners with Charlie Clifford & Larry Lein (Founder and Exec VP of Tumi), along with Knomo UK Partners...headquartered in London. As the only Managing Partner involved in the day-to-day US LLC, I spearheaded the entire Business Venture...single-handedly set-up the Operations, Distribution, Accounting Structure to start-up the entity. Built the majority of the Distribution by cultivating the knomo brand with my +20 year realtionships with Better Travel Goods & Men's Specialty Stores, as well as landing Nordstrom Men's, Neiman Marcus Direct & Last Call, Bloomingdales Men's & Luggage, Apple Stores & Direct, Dell Direct to go with the +200 doors of Better Specialty Stores nationwide.After strategic differences, I departed as Managing Director and sold my Knomo US LLC Equity Shares to pursue my own Business Opportunities and started BOCONI Bags & Leather. I still retain a minority equity stake in the Knomo UK Intl Business (Gonz Ltd). Show less

Greater Nashville Area, Tn

Founded R. Madison, Inc., started numerous Consulting Ventures as VP Sales LambertsonTruex Men's Division, VP Sales & Marketing Abas Exotic Accessories in 2003. R. Madison, Inc. was retained to start creating, designing, and developing bags & leather goods products for Johnston & Murphy, the iconic American Footwear Brand. After a hugely successful Holiday 2003 test result...earned the exclusive License for Johnston & Murphy Business, Travel & Fine Leather Accessories. By creating a… Show more Founded R. Madison, Inc., started numerous Consulting Ventures as VP Sales LambertsonTruex Men's Division, VP Sales & Marketing Abas Exotic Accessories in 2003. R. Madison, Inc. was retained to start creating, designing, and developing bags & leather goods products for Johnston & Murphy, the iconic American Footwear Brand. After a hugely successful Holiday 2003 test result...earned the exclusive License for Johnston & Murphy Business, Travel & Fine Leather Accessories. By creating a totally new category of products / new division for Johnston & Murphy, we exploded onto the marketplace...dynamically impacting the +125 year old Footwear Brand. Inspired by both my classic luxury background with Hartmann Luggage & Leather Goods and my recent contemporary Handbag & Accessories experience with Lodis...we infused a "modern aesthetic" into the staid, conservative "Shoe" company image by designing fresh, innovative styling for the quintessential J&M "Biz Guy"! It was perfect timing, as J&M was investing in a new Executive Team as well as a new more up-to-date "business casual" merchandising & marketing direction. Literally, designed, developed, manufactured, imported, sold and distributed all J&M Branded Bags, Brief Cases, Luggage, Leather Goods & Accessory Products into +500 Stores in the US and Canada, including Bloomingdale's Men's & Luggage Departments, Macy's, & hundreds of Better Travel Goods, Stationary/Gift, and Men's Specialty Stores. R. Madison, Inc. broke all the records and set the standard at J&M for a Licensee. Genesco, the parent company made the decision to bring all Licenses back in-house and offered me the inside position to run the new Division. I chose to sell-back the inventory / remaining licensing rights and invested in KNOMO UK / Gonz Ltd. Show less

Los Angeles, California, United States

Entered into a Partnership with Stanley Bauer, a 22 year Entrepreneur. Lodis Leather Goods was a small Brief Case and Leather Goods Business. Responsible for all Sales & Marketing of Lodis branded products, as well as new Business Development and Licensing opportunities. Actively involved in Product Development and Sourcing.Overcame the loss of 3 of Top 5 Retail Accounts. Essentially "saved the company" in post 9/11 Economic Crisis by transitioning the brand from a Tumi-copy-cat… Show more Entered into a Partnership with Stanley Bauer, a 22 year Entrepreneur. Lodis Leather Goods was a small Brief Case and Leather Goods Business. Responsible for all Sales & Marketing of Lodis branded products, as well as new Business Development and Licensing opportunities. Actively involved in Product Development and Sourcing.Overcame the loss of 3 of Top 5 Retail Accounts. Essentially "saved the company" in post 9/11 Economic Crisis by transitioning the brand from a Tumi-copy-cat black nappa Men's Brief & Wallet Company to a targeted, focused Women's Brand in a matter of 6 months! Flushed all old, dated goods through The Rack, TJ Maxx, Filene's Basement, and DSW, while re-building the relationships in the TGA Industry.Struck Gold by Designing, Developing, and Launching the "Audrey" Collection by using an old archive Italian Vena-calf leather with contrast stitching and color blocking. Partnered with Nordstrom Women's to explode penetration nationwide. Landed Belk, Parisian, Marshall Field's, Bloomingdales, Paradies Shops, & WH Smith World-wide Gift Stores, as well as private label programs with Brookstone and Bag n' Baggage.Totally revamped and rejuvenated the brand with the Travel Goods Market, spearheaded by the NLDA Members, the largest Buying Group in the TGA Industry. Expanded distribution to the Women's Boutique & Gift Market through multiple new Trade Shows and Showroom expansion.After 18 months, I opted-out of my contract when the majority owner decided not sell the balance of the business; started my Consulting Business, R. Madison, Inc. 2003. Show less

Held 9 positions in 18 years with this venerable American Classic Travel Brand. Starting as a Jr. Territory Manager, Territory Manager, Market Manager, District Manager, International Sales Manager, National Accounts Manager, Regional VP of Sales, Director of PLG & Accessories, VP Sales & Development. Sales, Marketing, Advertising, Fixturing, Product Development, Sourcing, P&L, and Strategic Planning.Departed to invest into Lodis Corporation and embark on entrepreneurial… Show more Held 9 positions in 18 years with this venerable American Classic Travel Brand. Starting as a Jr. Territory Manager, Territory Manager, Market Manager, District Manager, International Sales Manager, National Accounts Manager, Regional VP of Sales, Director of PLG & Accessories, VP Sales & Development. Sales, Marketing, Advertising, Fixturing, Product Development, Sourcing, P&L, and Strategic Planning.Departed to invest into Lodis Corporation and embark on entrepreneurial career path 2002. Show less

Bsba, Marketing

Activities and Societies: USC Soccer Fraternity, Prudential Committee Men's Clothing Consultant SC State Senate Paige

Fluency Certificate & Credits, German; Intl Studies