FOUNDER'S PROFILE
THIS RETAIL STORY starts with my grandfather 35 years before being born. I know that sounds crazy, but read on. He established a thriving photography equipment and supplies business during the Great Depression. Still in my family when I started working, the stories of selling cameras at cost to make money on photo processing or offering interest-free credit to professional photographers to help keep them afloat, ignited my creativity and inspiration.
My first job was doing miscellaneous jewelry repair for a Signet Jewelers banner my mother worked at. As I changed batteries, sized bracelets, engraved, and did miscellaneous repairs... my mother served as a great example of what quality service and sales looked like.
At Nordstrom I started on the sales floor in women’s shoes where I rose first to part time floor manager then quickly to the full-time lead assistant… and ultimately buyer. It is there that I learned how to manage people, maintain operations, and achieve sales goals under daily pressure to accomplish departmental objectives. It also underscored what my father taught me… “Just do great work and people will notice.”
Working from my strength, I went to work for Step 3 LTD where I set company records as store manager, then promoted to General Manager… and ultimately VP of Operations. It was an exciting time where I led digital transformation by implementing a new Retail system and developed best business practices around it. We continued on, doubling the chain size. Sales year over year grew consistently while concurrently reducing operating expenses. This achievement was thanks - in great part - due to the process management, operational standards, and KPIs provided by the system implemented.
During my time with Step 3 LTD I headed the creation and start-up of a specialty coffee retailer and café. Knowing nothing about coffee, other than I like drinking it, away we went. Focusing on market appropriate/creative branding, superior quality, customer experience, great service, and efficient operational controls, we figured it out and grew that chain. We repurposed a retail system to accommodate the needs of F&B with great success. It enabled us to keep tight control on ingredients, shrinkage and item margin to great effect.
Inspired by the value of the retail systems we were using - and what they could contribute to an operator’s abilities - I transitioned to the software systems world where I’ve worked ever since. In my roles since then, I’ve learned from leaders at thousands of companies how they used these systems. What worked well, what did not, and how they impact a company’s business… both positively and negatively.
Today, I leverage these decades of experiences to expertly guide retailers - large and small - towards achieving success and avoiding negative outcomes.
Let's connect. I look forward to it!
Recommendations
"With a wealth of real-life experience in the retail and restaurant industries and his hands-on approach to Tech solutions, John is a rarity."
- Heidi S
"John is one of the more knowledgeable and respected professional I have had the pleasure of working with. His understanding of the clients' needs and his ability to successfully map those to solutions is exceptional."
-Dan M
"John is an outstanding leader. He understands and orchestrates the best talents to achieve the goals and objectives of his customers and the team. I welcome the opportunity to work with John again!"
- Jason P
"John is extremely professional, focused and creative. His relationships with clients is trusting and positive... It was a sincere pleasure having worked with him."
- Suzana C
Office: Sacramento, CA
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Call +1 916.770.7756
Email: [email protected]
Site: jlondonconsulting.com