Profile background

AJ Nichols

Profile avatar
Basalt | United States

Skills

No information

Interests

Graphic design
Music
Camping
Travel
Philosophy
Photography
View all

Industries

Bike
Creative Agencies
Fashion
Lifestyle
Moto & Powersports
Music
View all
HomeSummaryActivityProjectsWork experienceEducation historyConnectionsCompanies

In my own words

AJ

Entrepreneur, multi medium artist, musician, coffee roaster, branding addict, creative strategist and lover of all things outdoors.

Grassroots and strategic methodology are at the core of my entrepreneurial success. For the past 15 years I have championed brand identity, marketing strategies, creative strategy, design, product development

and sales strategies spanning the outdoor industries, lifestyle clothing brands and food and beverage products. I thrive on creative assets, storytelling, branding and community initiatives. Most recently I have

sold my coffee roasting company after 8 years of scaling from a home roasting operation, to a mobile cart, into 2 brick and mortar cafes with online sales, subscription models and wholesale accounts across the country. As I look to hop in my van and embark on a new adventure both personally and professionally I hope to find the intersection of my entrepreneurial skills alongside a unique and progressive brand to positively impact both of us and to continue to educate and learn from my peers along the way.

Trajectory

Jan 2021 — Dec 2021
Co Founder / CEO · ASHE Supply Co
1. As the CEO and managing partner of ASHE, I was also the head roaster, artist / graphic designer, marketing director, media / public relations as well leading our wholesale and online sales operations and overall scalability. 2. Successfully scaled a home roasting operation into a mobile coffee cart for hire and finally into 2 brick and mortar cafes, local and national wholesale accounts as well as an online subscription service. 3. Awarded back to back "Best Of" coffee shops by HOUR Detroit first two years in cafe operations starting in 2016 and won multiple top 3 roasting awards 4. Utilized my years of acquired skillsets from the ski and snowboard sales industry to think outside the box, seek new lines and ways camping, hiking, climbing, to approach branding, community building and overall sales and painting, graphic design, coffee, awareness. With a small team on average of 6-8 employees fashion, guitar, art, vans/cars, between 2 small shops, we cleared $1M in revenue within 3 road trips, travel, woodworking, years, became a household name and synonymous with coffee in Detroit. While the pandemic nearly killed our business, we fought on and found support from the community we built and in that support we were approached by a local brewery for which we have recently sold the business to entirely as of 12/31/2021.
Mar 2013 — Oct 2014
Founder / CEO · GNAR Sales
• GNAR Sales Independent Sales Agency: Represented (K2 Snowboards / Dragon Alliance / TREW Outerwear / KUU Wax) 1. Primary rep for brands covering the Great Lakes/Midwest territory 2. Implemented dynamic custom POP displays and indiviudal sales contests/platforms for retail partners 3. Worked closely with each Corporate brand on product marketing to develop and forecast future prodcut cycles 4. Worked closely with Corporate branding/marketing on reviewing focus group feedback and strategic planning to align with market trends 5. Increased brands recognition and sales for all brands by building a cohesive story between each brands initiatives and ethos 6. Lead shop product clinics in store and at trade shows 7. Hosted on hill product demos for shop employees and consumer demos 8. Sponsored local winter initiatives of schools, clubs and ski resorts to better the winter sports experience
Jun 2011 — Feb 2013
Independent Associate Sales Rep, Great · Grand Blanc
Independent Sales rep: Representing (K2 Skis / K2 Snowboards / K2 rollerbaldes) 1. Assisted Primary rep with brand growth in all territory sales accounts and events 2. Managed and grew revenue of southern territory under the guidance of primary rep 3. Lead retail staff product clinics at shops and trade shows 4. Hosted on hill product demos for retail shops and consumer demos 5. Lead consumer focus groups and product demos at national conventions
Apr 2010 — Dec 2011
Customer Experience Marketing Manager, Columbus · JPMorgan Chase
Develop and design storyboard to capture and deliver customer experiences to internal and external affiliates including State Attorney Generals • Direct camera crews on site at Customer Outreach Events while borrowers apply for home modifications • Initiate and conduct customer and employee interviews to passionately capture the customer experience • Work with video editing staff for ChaseTV to bring storyboard to life in scope to further progress our customer gratification and experience at future events • Responsible for internal and external communications regarding event material as well scripting clear and direct informational flyers • Manage non-profit events in accordance with Community Outreach Vice President and project managers • Work with Nonprofit Advisory Panel to generate idea flow to better present and develop events • Main focus is to work with our closest nonprofit relationships to effectively work our existing borrower pipelines. • Manage on site at events as one of the Lead Event Coordinators
Oct 2007 — Apr 2011
Tech Rep · T Park Inc
1. Assisted Primary rep with territory sales accounts and events 2. Lead retail staff product clinics 3. Hosted on hill product demos for retail shops and consumer demos
Aug 2007 — Apr 2010
Assistant Manager · Boyne Country Sports
1. Employee of the Year 2008/2009 2. Manage daily operations in accordance with Store Manager 3. Provide solutions to aid team flow and operations 4. Lead sales Associate with main focus in Skis/Snowboards

Activity

Education history

Wayne State University logo

Wayne State University

| 2004 - 2009

Connections

Carrie Augenstein profile background
Carrie Augenstein profile photo

Carrie Augenstein

Fractional CFO
Carrie Augenstein, Inc

View all