Allison Dechaine: Owner in Alanson, MI

Woman-owned and operated agency that specializes in brands that reflect my passions in keeping the outdoors clean and inclusive for all. This agency exists to help in consulting outdoor specialty shops in the Midwest region. My goal is to lead with empathy, not ego, and create space for communication in order for accounts to grow their day-to-day business through empowerment, education, orderbook management, and marketing.

Overseeing sales operations with accounts across Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky & Western PA. Develop sales strategies online and in store each season with all specialty and key accounts in outdoor retail. Collaborate with my team and our partners for sell-in and sell-through analysis, demand planning, events, and MDF budgets. Conduct GTM strategies with partners involving new releases of product and marketing. Assist in national trade shows, and sales meetings. Coordinating meetings with buyers and dealers privately at buying group shows, GOA & MRA to discuss future growth and challenges. Forecasting and tracking of all accounts in territory. Creating content in the digital space for virtual line showings and clinics.

Formulate a seasonal strategy based on hindsight recaps, trend research, and industry data to deliver year over year performance growth. Develop a compelling product assortment that meets our consumer needs, the brand vision, and financial guidelines. Lead negotiations with existing and new vendors. Pay attention to market trend shifts in consumer behavior, cultural and lifestyle awareness and the competition. Oversee all operational elements of the buying office, including style set-up, order writing, pricing, etc. Ensure all order deadlines are met and are receiving the best possible margin on goods. Maintain a calendar for all social media channels, anticipating creative and publishing needs, managing due dates, and execution. Responsible for all copywriting for all social content and blogging. Develop campaigns and produce content that is in-tune with our audiences needs. Attend, assist, and shoot in all photo shoots to capture content for social media platforms. Stay on top of current and potential trends on social media platforms. Keeping up on engagements on all social media platforms. Facilitate conversations with online communities. Explore new ways to reach our target buyers by engaging or new social networks.

Responsible for leading and guiding the sales team. Set sales goals, and quotas, build a sales plan, analyze data, prepare budgets, determine discounts and special pricing, assign sales training and sales territories in store, and mentor team members. Working with customers individually to find exactly what they are looking for and meeting the needs of special requests such as; placing special orders, layaways, and holds. Buying mens outerwear and snowboard hard goods. Met and/or exceeded sales and profits in both departments. Bought merchandise that appeals to an ever-changing target market. Forecasted trends through market research locally and across the country. Met deadlines on orders to achieve the best possible margin. Forecasted quarterly turns on goods, sell-through rates, and analysis. Followed an open-to-buy budget and refilled orders as needed. Attended buyers meetings when scheduled in Michigan and across the country. Previous partner in SSL buying group to increase sales and customer satisfaction in a retail environment for hardgoods.