Steven Swanson Email & Phone Number

I founded Bootstrap West Michigan (BWM) to couple my focus of challenging people and teams to reach their full professional potential and commitment to assisting businesses in the creation of sustainable and scalable solutions – solutions that exceed expectations. Bootstraps West Michigan serves the small and mid-sized business owner, CEOs and other business leaders in finding a path forward through complicated market conditions and customer requirements. Resources and time are finite. I will help you extract the most value from these!As a subject matter expert, I can get you from here to there leveraging my years of experience leading global companies through multiple M & A transactions, critical negotiations and global agreements. Additionally, I’ve been part of innovative leadership development initiatives and business-sustaining succession planning. My goal is to help you navigate your path forward and execute effectively.

San Diego, California, Us

For more than 60 years, Vistage Worldwide has been the leader in Peer Advisory and Executive Coaching. Through their proven formula, one-to-one coaching, monthly peer group meetings, and access to expert speakers and resources, members are growing rapidly. Better leaders. Better decisions. Better Results.

Requested to sit on board and work collaboratively with the Board of Directors and the CEO to architect a strategy to diversify the busines and grow its traditional market share during the global financial crisis. My forward-thinking has been critical in spurring collaboration within the company preparing them for challenges that had far greater reach than anticipated. Additionally, the board has been successful in strategically directing the company into new markets, preparing it for growth in existing markets and increasing shareholder value.

Grand Rapids, Mi, Us

Recruited by the CEO to join the company and lead the transition from its base business, which was seriously impacted by a replacement technology, to an expanded service platform further upstream into clinical research. Orchestrated each aspect of the strategic plan successfully transitioning the company by replacing 75% of lost legacy revenue with new services and solutions. Served on Board of Directors.KEY ACHIEVEMENTS◆ Recovered Q1 loss and improved profits 250% over 2019 with a business model pivot in response to Covid-19 pandemic.◆ Drove acquisitions of UK-based company and patient recruitment services company to expand global footprint Imperial’s services.◆ Successfully integrated both acquisitions expanding EU footprint 30% and company’s service offerings.◆ Delivered annualized reduction in operating costs of $1 million within the first four months.RESPONSIBILITIES: Visionary Leadership │ Strategic Planning | Budget Management | P&L Ownership | Negotiations | Operations | Mergers and Acquisitions | Process Improvement | Key Account Management | Change Management | Lean | Board Presentations | Performance Improvement | New Business Development

Grand Haven, Michigan, Us

Hired in as the youngest president in company history to turn around struggling, nearly bankrupt durable machine goods manufacturer. I turned around the division within two years. Due to my exceptional performance, I was given additional divisions to turn around and optimize their financial performance. It’s worth noting that I continued to serve as the Dake Division president with each additional division for total leadership oversight of five divisions by 2004. Overall, this was an excellent experience that allowed me to enhance my business turnaround skills.KEY ACHIEVEMENTS ◆ One of four executives chosen for an intensive 24-month succession planning program. I was one of two to complete the course.◆ Chosen to sit on executive management board evaluating business models, the team and acquisition prospects while also taking on operating responsibilities.◆ Led transformative turnaround of Dake Division growing revenue $14 million. Improved margins 20-25%. Repaid millions in investment capital within two years.◆ Led acquisition of foundry after closing it down as an existing division. Renamed it and located it in Tianjin, China. Navigated from 50% equity joint venture to 100% wholly-owned foreign enterprise.◆ Led turnaround of a foundry on shaky footing with primary customer reducing losses and turning company to break even by end of year one. ◆ Spurred complacent conveyor belt manufacturing division to adopt a national expansion plan. Increased revenue $7 million and the number of locations to 11 from seven. Led the acquisition of two competitors.◆ Stabilized commercial printing division and catapulted division to profitability within two years. Created innovative sales strategy focused on providing expert solutions upselling products and delivering products faster than all competitors. Expanded sales into multiple millions by year two.

Merger Week

Manufacturing Executive Program

Business