Heath Houston: Founder in Cedar Park, TX

AJLE4 LLC is a private manufacturing and distribution company focused on consumer accessories and electronics in North America. Responsible for sales, marketing, and national retail account management. Brands were Nuband (fitness wearable), Asics Timing, and Spalding Timing. Management of 4 sales rep/distributor groups within North America. US Retail management responsibilities for retailers such as Kohl’s, JCP, Target, Amazon, E-bags, Boscov’s, and Big Five. Main responsibilities include strategic planning, yearly promotions, analyzing sales data, assortment planning, margin review, retail pricing agreement, corporate visits, store visits, forecasting, inventory planning, and product presentations. Launched Nuband, a globally branded fitness wearable in Holiday 2014 with JCPenney and Stage Group. Started in 1500 doors and generated over US$1m with initial orders. Management of E-commerce business, Social Media marketing/ selling, and website development for nubandamerica.com. Partnered with JCP for the design and implementation of an in-store fixture for Nuband. Design and development of Mother’s Day and Holiday advertising and promotions with Boscov’s. Tradeshow participation and representation: JCK, CES, OR and Basel Watch Fair.

Three60 was a distribution and rep group that worked with licensed watches and jewelry for global fashion brands within the US, Mexico, and in travel retail locations throughout the Western Hemisphere. Responsible for sales, marketing and retail account management for Mexico and Travel Retail in the Americas. Account management of Americas Travel Retail watch division of $6m in annual sales. Retailers included Starboard Cruise Services, Dufry America, DFASS, and DFA. Main responsibilities were sales and pricing strategy, assortment planning, store visits, merchandising, sales analysis, quarterly business meetings, forecasting, and new product reviews. D&G watch/ jewelry distribution business was acquired in 2008 for Mexico and it grew to a $3m business by 2011. In 2009 Guess watch/ jewelry distribution was acquired for Mexico and it grew to a $5m business by 2011. Drove integrated in-country marketing campaigns and brand management with Guess, D&G, Reef, and Dockers. Relationships with Mexico’s largest retailers: Palacio del Hierro, Liverpool, Marti, Inova, Wal-Mart, and Sanborn’s. Managed a sales rep/distribution team of 12 within Mexico to manage the retail specialty channel.

SII, a division of Seiko Corp., manufactured and distributed watches under licenses for global brands. Responsible for the sales, marketing, and business strategy of our international distribution network. Managed 8 employees: 3 Regional Managers/ 5 Account Managers that grew from $2m annual revenue to $48m in 4 years. Implemented new ordering and forecasting system that helped sales increase by 25%. Negotiated and managed all global 3rd party distribution agreements for watch brands of Disney, Barbie, and Nike Timing. Worked directly with licensors of Mattel, Disney, and Nike for the development of our global watch business as well as development of POP, display materials, and approved advertising.

Fossil manufactures and distributes watches, sunglasses, jewelry, and leather goods - wallets, handbags, bags, and belts under the Fossil brand as well as for global fashion brands under license agreements. Responsibility for International Division’s global business development as well as had direct sales and marketing management for Canada, Latin America and Spain. Spanish subsidiary management: Lived 3 months in Spain to install inventory management systems and strengthen retailer account relationships. Revenue increased from $3.5m in 1999 to $6m in 2000. Managed 8 employees within distributor-focused international department with revenue of $35m. Reviewed all credit applications and financial statements of global distributors. Instituted a program of export credit insurance that generated a 20% increase in business in 2000. Worked directly with licensors of DKNY, and Armani for marketing and retail store approvals. Revenue in region grew from $1.9m in 1997 to $6.4m by 1999. Managed a Fossil retail franchise system in Brazil that grew from 0 stores in 1997 to 20 stores by 1999.