Gary Richards
Director of Brand · Optic Nerve Eyewear
Seal Beach, CA
In My Own Words
Experienced and committed leader/team member with a core competency in brand/product sales & development. Extensive experience in all aspects of sales, marketing, product development, and manufacturing with an in depth understanding of operations management throughout an organization. Consistently manage multiple tasks under high pressure while meeting tight deadlines and consistently exceeding sales and margin goals
Work Experience
Director of Brand
Optic Nerve Eyewear2016 – Present
Joined the company in the Spring of 2016 to manage all sales and marketing for the brand. Was able to accomplish a complete rebranding in 7 months and developed programs and tools to drive sales Increased account base by 20% in the first 18 months and profitability of an average sale by over 10% Increased North American sales coverage by 35% and inked European contract for their largest international presence to date
Sales Executive
TravisMathew Apparel2007 – 2015
Started the company in July of 2007 setting up the corporate structure and building all sales and marketing strategies. Acted as GM for almost the first two years of the company. After almost three years, I was tasked with launching the Corporate Sales Division of the company, co-branding with large brands such as Hyatt, Cadillac, The Chive and the Miami Heat. Following, I was selected to take over the struggling Fitness Division and was able to add and re-merchandise the products in order to open up sales channels and therefore grow sales revenue. Was able to close larger multi door accounts including Nordstrom, Scheels, PGA Tour Super Stores and Equinox.
Managing Director
The Fringe Group Inc.2008 – 2010
Strategic business development group with a principal focus in Specialty Lifestyle Apparel. FGI provides complete business strategy solutions to include all aspects of building, branding, staffing, launching, managing and growing new entities within North America. Core competencies include brand/product research and development, design direction, distribution and complete sales and marketing strategies developed to successfully grow each brand in the Action Sports Industry.
General Manager / International Brand Manager
Cult Industries USA2001 – 2007
Initial responsibilities with this Australian surf brand was to research, assess and manage all interested international distributors. In 2004 Owner appointed me to launch Cult Industries USA which we successfully operated until the brands demise in 2007. Responsible for the execution of sales and marketing strategies for the US and Canadian markets. In this three year period, the brands sales revenue increased 100% every season for the first six sales periods. Additionally was able to bring Cult USA into profit within 18 months of operations despite a massive marketing and promotions budget
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