BUSINESS IS JUST PLAIN CHALLENGING
Running a business is incredibly dynamic, and as a result, most businesses face the big challenge of balancing day-to-day operations while simultaneously developing the right long-range strategies to unlock opportunities, increase revenue and maximize profit.
I founded Open Gate Advisors to bring my extensive business strategy experience to help businesses leaders identify and execute the highest-impact strategies for their businesses in: business strategy, brand development, sales channel planning, and e-commerce strategy and deployment.
So,
why me…
Geoff Shaffer - Experienced business executive with 30+ years’ experience leading a complex international business, developing brands, building and developing teams and organizations, and road-mapping innovative strategies to realize business goals.
30 years in the sporting goods industry, most recently serving as President of PEARL iZUMi. I led the organization through a period of significant growth fueled by the implementation of new business strategies that included new sales and distribution strategies, shifting e-commerce to the hub of the brand’s distribution approach, a brand repositioning process that aligned both B2B and B2C messaging, and building a new organization structure to implement strategies that accelerates sales and profits.
Led PEARL iZUMi through a successful corporate sale from Shimano, our parent company, to a US-based private equity backed portfolio company in 2022
Graduate of the University of Denver Business school (undergraduate) and Ohio University’s Master of Sports Management and Marketing program.
I’ve been fortunate to combine many of my personal interests with my professional experience to leverage business for positive social change.
I founded Open Gate Advisors in 2023 to bring my collaborative style and business acumen to help companies grow.
How can I help you unlock the biggest opportunities for your business
My focus is on delivering creative strategies and dynamic implementation plans for profitable business acceleration in the areas of: business strategy, brand development, sales channel strategy with e-commerce as the hub of the brand and organization optimization.
I understand how challenging it can be to sell change to investors, a board, or even the associates inside an organization. I have broad-based experience developing the right plans and approach to help organizations engineer and implement impactful changes.
I bring a unique mix of business strategy, organizational leadership, with brand and sales channel strategic development to help brands grow.
As the leader of an organization, some of my most impactful business relationships have been with outside business advisors that have helped me to unlock new revenue opportunities. Similarly, I’m looking to leveraging my skill set and becoming a trusted advisor to businesses that will help unlock the biggest opportunities.
In addition, I have an extensive network of specialists that I can leverage if needed for an even more holistic impact.
I've had so many game changing moments in my career.
I’ve been fortunate to experience many pivotal moments in companies’ histories. I’ve learned the ins and outs of event marketing while working for a professional skiing tour, coordinated the hundredth anniversary PR campaign for Schwinn Bikes - one of Americas most iconic brand’s, developed and managed million-dollar sponsorship partnerships with brands like Toyota, and launched PEARL iZUMi into the ultra-competitive run footwear market, and expanded brands into international markets.
My resume includes being the head of Global Brand and e-Commerce for PEARL iZUMi, where I lead the organization through a digital transformation from a wholesale business to a high performing multichannel distribution model using e-commerce as the hub of the brand.
In my most recent role as President, I lead PEARL iZUMi business and was responsible for all global business functions. I navigated running the business as a free-standing brand under our international parent company Shimano, Inc, the global leader in the cycling industry, based in Osaka, Japan. After a 2018 brand re-positioning and new distribution strategy, PEARL iZUMi achieved record revenue and profits over the next 4-year period. Eventually I lead the company through a sale process in 2022 added another level of experience in my portfolio.