I mentor and consult Founder/ CEOs and CCO/CMOs on all creative and commercial aspects of brand and marketing strategy. Based on 13 years of working with start ups in the US, UK and Europe, plus 10 years at NYC advertising and branding agencies. I have a practical approach that suits early stage companies. In the last 4 years, I have mostly focused on Seed/Series A companies in the consumer health/wellness space. INSEAD MBA.
What I offer
Mentoring: Someone to help you think through hard questions
I understand the reality of being a founder or C-suite commercial marketing executive and give hands-on and practical advice to save time and have impact. Contracts vary from weekly calls to full days and focus on brand, marketing, biz dev and fundraising.
Do you have a great product, but not a compelling brand? My 6-week brand ID process identifies your brand essence that will give direction for many areas of your business. Follow on implementation services include planning, briefs, agency oversight, partnerships etc.
Investors are humans too. Your first few slides need to have an impact for investors to listen to the rest. I review your deck from an outside POV and help you craft your story, so that potential investors pay attention, are intrigued and listen to your whole story.
Do you want your customers' and VCs' money, but don't really know your customer? Most start ups really don't. I help you build true customer-centric organizations based on customer, product and purchase context data. Do this right and the dollars will follow.
Video is becoming a fundamental part of the B2C and B2B buying process. Create a video culture and you'll have a true USP. I can help you develop a strategy that is right for you in terms of mindset, resources and content -- from iPhone and fractional editors to in-house videographers.
Mentor, Consultant and Investor to Tonic (Seed Stage)
Since 2020, I mentor Tonic's Founder / CEO with an emphasis on 1. fundraising (pitch deck, pitching to US investors, VC intros), 2. brand (team hires, agency management, content strategy) and 3. leadership. He most values that I am proactive, do what I say I will do and get how start ups function.
I was hired by Aura's Founder/CEO to set the brand strategy for a relaunch and new funding round. My work has been the grounding principle for development and resource allocation of product (new rev steams, features, customer service, community), marketing (creative, content) and company culture.
Designed Global Licensing Model for Spartan Race (Series A)
Charged to launch a global licensing business with the result of 18 operational countries in 5 years ($20M+ revenues). Set strategy, hired team across all functional areas, and set operating standards/processes to scale with brand and operational parity. Coached HQ on working effectively globally.
Key account director and brand strategist at Young & Rubicam and smaller niche agencies. Emphasis on brand development, campaign planning and web design. Sample Clients: Bottega Veneta, Ermenegildo Zegna, Oriel Wines, Armani Casa, Philippe Stark Real Estate, Campbell’s Soup and Nestle.
I am passionate about disease prevention and have seen first-hand how functional medicine and lifestyle changes can create health. Through Peel the Onion, I share my journey through Hashimoto's disease, functional medicine protocols, tips and information, and hope that readers will feel inspired.
Mobile selling app that empowered retail sales people to sell from anywhere with on-the-fly catalogues. Raised friends and family funding, attracted mentors and ran all operational aspects of the company. Abandoned because retailers were not ready to commit, and solution was early to market in 2010.
I believe in the companies I work with and sometimes end up investing in them. My clients become part of my echosystem. I make introductions and even think about them on my dog walks! That's when some of my best ideas are generated. Yes, that IS my dog 🐶.