Data-Driven Operations & Strategy Leader | Revenue & Profitability Gains | Smarter Strategy | Sustainable Growth

Nick Gausling

Mission-Driven Leadership

Optimized $700MM P&L as de facto Division Chief of Staff and Division CFO, and $1B+ P&L as de facto Division Chief of Staff. Oversaw business development research and innovation program management for organization controlling ~25% of U.S. market share. Launched a successful podcast from the ground up with ~5-star Apple rating. Managed outside legal counsel through a complex, multi-year arbitration to successfully fend off existential threat to the company. Built technology by partnering with a company rated #1 by the New York Times to develop a breakthrough app, rolled out in December 2021. Instituted an internal omnichannel newsletter to promote enterprise vision. Allocated official monthly field budgets on a $700MM P&L—this effectively reduced unjustified bonus payouts by 50 basis points, carving out more than $3MM in annual savings.

Operational Turnaround Expertise

Co-led divisions with between ~600-900 facilities and ~2,000 employees. Helped architect and pilot contactless retail program to stem revenue losses during height of COVID. Led the implementation of the first health insurance program in one employer’s history. Streamlined and reenergized organizational structure involving hundreds of thousands of members, restructuring officer roles, committees and the board. Spearheaded comprehensive overhaul of organizational bylaws and rules. Navigated pandemic issues with retail site closures, legal requirements and reopening plans. Key contributor in transforming enterprise from bankruptcy filing to record profitability and public readiness in 3 years, from nine-figure EBITDA loss to +~$900MM EBITDA improvement with $4.4B in sales.

Impressive Top & Bottom-Line Impact

Furthered realization of sales that were $1.4B higher than 3 years prior with 900+ fewer retail outlets. Orchestrated a 2-month test that led to ~$2.5MM in incremental sales, annualized at ~$16MM. Partnership-managed the investment of $3MM enterprise budget for endeavor that has generated ~$30MM in attributed brand value in less than a year. Elevated revenue save rate by 42% in only 30 days, attaining an annualized run rate of more than $2MM and preserving ~$30K lifetime value per customer. Collaborated to negotiate a private label deal that boosted overall annual revenue by 10+%. Set team on a growth path towards a revenue recapture run rate of more than $10MM in incremental sales. Bolstered skyrocketing of revenue by ~$40MM+ YoY with EBITDA surge of ~$40MM+.

About Nick Gausling

Cross-Functional Management • Process Optimization • Research & Analysis • Trusted Advisor Strategic Planning • Alliances & Partnerships • Investor Relations • Business & Corporate Development

Having augmented the transformation of an organization from near closure to record profitability with Billions of Dollars in revenue, I have developed a reputation for making impossible possible. I am known for always thinking several steps ahead and seeing around corners, identifying solutions that immediately benefit the customer and the end user. Serving customers through meaningful product offerings is my overriding goal, accomplished by leading highly skilled and specialized teams of smart people. My holistic business approach forges strategic connections between disparate departments, functions, and initiatives and aligns the enterprise toward impactful long-term growth. If you have dreamed of Senior Leadership that can align all your business functions toward growth and new initiatives, let’s have a conversation.

Key Skills: Conscious, stakeholder-oriented leadership • Strategic mindset • Planner & organizer • Strong delegator • Equally comfortable at both cultivating partnerships and interrogating a P&L • Skilled at working across wide bodies of knowledge • Integrates disparate information into a forward-facing gestalt system • Seamlessly integrates Financial & Operational acumen

Select Leadership Roles Held

Mattress Firm (2018 - 2022)

Largest specialty mattress retailer in the United States.

Director of Omnichannel Innovation & Research (2021 - 2022)
Director of Omnichannel Optimization (2020 - 2021)
Division Director, Field Optimization (de facto Division Chief of Staff) (2020)
Division Director, Strategy & Analytics (de facto Division Chief of Staff & Division CFO) (2018- 2020)

Emerald Risk Solutions (2014 – 2018)

Boutique holding company managing investments in a variety of start-up opportunities across multiple industries.

Managing Partner (2014 - 2018)

Real Water (2013 – 2015)

A nationally-distributed CPG company operating in the premium functional beverage category.

Chief of Staff (2013 - 2015)
Manager, External Affairs (2013)

Presentations & Publications

SCHOLARLY:

Jamin Hübner and Nicholas Gausling, “A Reconsideration of Corporate Monarchy: Evaluating the Literature and Logic Surrounding Co-CEOs.” (working title; publication pending)

Nicholas Gausling, “A Review of Mark Spitznagel’s The Dao of Capital: Austrian Investing in a Distorted World,” Christian Libertarian Review, vol. 2 (Jul 2019): R61-R68

BUSINESS TALKS:

North American Homegoods eCommerce Summit (June 23, 2021). Retail Summits. Panel speaker: “Utilizing Technology to Enhance the Customer Experience.”

Texas eCommerce Virtual Summit (August 12, 2020). Retail Summits. Panel speaker: “The Importance of Omnichannel Integration.”

POPULAR:

Nick’s answers to business questions on Quora

Nick’s business articles on Medium

The Wharton School – University of Pennsylvania. Executive Education topics studied: Leadership in the 21st Century, Managing the Global Firm, Managing and Motivating Talent, Strategic Management (Competitive and Corporate Strategy)

The University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Executive Education topics studied: Digital Innovation Strategy and Management

Master of Arts in Classical Studies. Knox Theological Seminary.

Bachelor of Arts in History. University of Nevada – Las Vegas.