Bike

Outdoor

Snow

Family

Riding my bike

Being with friends

Quality craft beers...

Political incorrectness

Sales expert

Specialist & Consultant

I am a 25+year veteran of the outdoor industry and a committed mountain biker. I have spent a life time getting after it, be that on skis, rock climbing, or whitewater kayaking. Having grown up in Steamboat Springs, Co., and then on to the University of Colorado at Boulder, outdoor life is in my genetic structure. 
After Living in the Washington DC area with my wife (where I rep'ed for Fischer Skis and Riot Kayaks), we moved to her home country of Croatia. Since moving here, I have learned a great deal about adaptability as the 'outdoor' world/market as I knew it was in total dysfunction when I arrived, (only now after 15+ years has the word 'outdoor' entered the lexicon). I quickly turned my skills and experience to consulting on 'adventure' tourism development projects, working in Bosnia on development of the 'Via Dinarica' long trail project, Montenegro on multiple efforts, (most notable is the Hike & Bike development project for the United Nations Development Program), as well as numerous efforts in Croatia as well as Serbia.
After many years, during which I returned to Mountain Biking as my primary activity (I rode a ton when I was at the University of Colorado in the late 80’s and early 90’s), I found myself looking again to return to my professional roots. I began that process by consulting with Greyp Bikes here in Croatia and also for MTB Zone bike parks (Austria/Germany). A friend then connected me to an online sales site called ‘curated.com’ for which I have worked over the last 18 months doing online sales for the US market. While I have enjoyed the experience, I have found myself wanting to be a part of something with a company that is more of a 'core' outdoor/bike operation as  Curated is a ‘tech’ company in the end, with a primary focus on AI development through online communications via product sales, which are done primarily as a second hand seller, and while I do enjoy it, I am more interested in being part of a team whose primary focus is providing quality service and/or sales. I am very passionate about the outdoors as a whole and am highly motivated to be successful in growing the industry in whatever way possible.

Online sales of primarily bikes and bike equipment. Communicate with consumers online live via chat, with follow up via text messages and email  to aid and product selection and purchasing. Also involves light content development and digital merchandising.

New bike builds and warranty repairs (incl. shocks & forks) for the largest bike retailer/distributor in Croatia. 

mechanic

On a short term, as needed basis, I managed inside MTB industry relationships with manufacturers, Incentive program providers and other industry related companies and organizations in preparation for the 2020 season. I develop outreach strategies, establish collaborative efforts and develop concepts for future cooperation and programs.

B2B Management consultant

During the pre-launch period I assesed and established target retailers, managing introduction of the product to those target retailers and building initial relationships. I also coordinated all of the 'bike related' activities for the launch, assessing, selecting and upgrading trails and developed a ride program for the event. I coordinated bike distribution to attendees, established and managed a guide program as well as the overall the 'Rider experience' for the event as well as organizing all product transfer and on site preparation. 

I then lead the post launch process of attending festivals and other promo events, establishing a full demo program to support established sales and promotional objectives.

Intl. Sales eMTB sector & product launch coordination consultant

I have provided consulting services to various government and civil society organizations in Croatia and Montenegro. I provided specific consulting services, (e.g. capacity assessment, feasibility studies, strategic planning, and project development), to the Croatian Chamber of Commerce - Association for Adventure Tourism, Karlovac County, The Ministry of Tourism, the Municipality of Omišalj, UNDP MNE, UNDP HR, the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service and others. I have also provided an assessment of the Montenegrin Mountaineering and Cycling Associations including strategic development plans for both and provided a feasibility study on the establishment of a new Center for Outdoor Industry and Education. Provided training for and wrote 2 year business and 5 year strategic plans for both associations as well as developing multiple projects/grant applications.

Partner of a Development Consulting firm in Zagreb, Croatia

I worked for Social Innovation Laboratory managing the organizations participation in a large-scale project funded by the European commission as well as collaborating the organization of the Medvednica Outdoor festival and developing a protected area trail management project and an outdoor education project.

Project Manager

Development and Management Consultant for USAID funded projects, local and regional governments, civil society organizations, and Outdoor Industry related SME’s. For USAID; created a toolkit for Croatian consultant association on how to perform, analyze, and present market research. Also designed, managed and implemented a program for the development of nature based tourism. For local/regional governments and CSOs, developed concepts and proposals regarding sustainable development of nature based tourism and human capacity building, (funding from various sources including UNDP, EU, relevant Ministries). Also worked with organizations such as the Kayaking and Mountain Guides association on establishing standards and strategic planning. For SME’s (Outdoor Industry related – retail, wholesale, and tourism),  I helped develop a full understanding of supply chain management, buying and selling cycles, product development, international sales and marketing.

Independant Consultant in the Balkans

Territory Manager for Fischer Skis U.S. and Voodoo Kayaks, (manufacturer of Riot, Sun, and Azul kayak lines).  Responsible for development and implementation of sales, marketing, technical support and product presentation for the South-eastern and Mid-Atlantic regions.  Created and worked within budget guidelines, developed and implemented advertising and sales growth plans, and worked to develop demand for specific products targeted to this region. Also responsible for all public-private partnership related activities within the territory, in particular working with tourism destinations and communities on programming and policy advisement for sustainable development.

Independant Sales representative

Find out detailed information about Anthony Karzen, Sales expert in Zagreb, 21

Anthony Karzen: Sales expert in Zagreb, 21

Anthony Karzen

University of Colorado