Nicholas Gausling has launched, managed, and supported initiatives responsible for multiple millions of dollars in financial impact. Nick is a data savvy operating and development executive with an extensive background spanning startup, small business, and large company ($1B+ revenues) leadership in both physical and remote environments.
Nick’s executive experience includes omnichannel retail & e-commerce, financial services & venture capital, and consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturing and distribution.
Nick is also an author & speaker who covers topics such as digital strategy, organizational design, investments and capital markets, and the future of business.
✔ OPERATING LEADER FOR TURNAROUND & GROWTH: Leadership in large company turnaround / change management, as well as startup, small business, and large company growth environments. Helping companies and business units go from net losses to EBITDA positive. Helped lead a multi-billion-dollar national retailer from chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring to record profitability and public readiness (pre-IPO) in just 3 years. Led budget control effort to reduce salesperson expense by -50 basis points year over year, saving millions of dollars. Helped lead through numerous business challenges including multiple organizational and team restructures in business units as large as $1B+, launching a major new division, converting a historic cost center into a multi-million-dollar profit center, and COVID-19 response (regulatory, expense management, contactless retail program, revenue recapture, sanitation, store re-opening plans).
✔ MULTI-FUNCTIONAL DYNAMIC EXECUTIVE: Breadth of executive experience in diverse organizational types with roles and responsibilities including corporate chief of staff, de facto divisional chief of staff and divisional CFO in a multi-billion-dollar business unit, head of innovation projects & research for a corporate innovation team that was recognized by the CEO of Microsoft, head of e-commerce operations, head of omnichannel projects and business development, and head of e-commerce customer retention. Navigated a complex, multi-year arbitration in coordination with counsel and saved the company from potential bankruptcy. Experienced in digital & traditional marketing, merchandising, contract negotiation, logistics & supply chain, and human resources. Directly managed functions including IT, facilities, QA/QC, compliance & legal, and investor relations / board relations.
✔ STRATEGIC ALLIANCES: Managed key strategic partnership including white label app integration with a wellness technology ranked #1 by the New York Times. Collaborated with VP of Sales to negotiate a private label contract with a major natural products retail chain, boosting annual revenue by ~ 10%+. Launched or incubated multiple startups. Managed and negotiated across numerous contract cycles, including with one of the largest beverage companies in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Procured relationship with a financial services vendor to solve competitive gap in several states with no or limited secondary/tertiary financing. Served as client-side project lead on a multi-million-dollar digital modernization consulting engagement with Bain & Company.
Nick accepts a limited number of speaking opportunities. If you would like him to speak at your event, please contact him via LinkedIn with details.
