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Work Background
Fair Trade LebanonInternational Trade and Export Consultant
Dec. 2020Atlanta, Georgia, United StatesBIEEL, a joined initiative launched by Fair Trade Lebanon & the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), aims at empowering SMEs & cooperatives to compete on an international scale.
Because we believe that empowering businesses empowers a whole nation! Successfully placed Lebanese products on the shelves if top US retailers.
OZ Health & HygieneInternational Business Development and Sourcing Manager
Nov. 2017Greater Atlanta AreaResponsible for all Sourcing and International Business Development for Oz health plus. Vision:
We offer products that promote Education and Living in a sustainable way thus helping save the planet. Mission:
We want to be the leading suppliers of wood-based materials to the printing, packaging and renewable energy market around the world. Values:
We highly value customer satisfaction and employee well-being through good corporate governance, transparency and social responsibility.
Cedar Trading Investments and Consulting, LLCPrincipal CEO
Dec. 2008Atlanta, Georgia
Cedar Trading Investments and Consulting, LLC is an international business development firm consisting of a team of experts with more than 80 years of cumulative experience in export marketing and promotion of goods in foreign markets. We offer our clients expert advice with regard to export market entry and related strategic decision-making in addition to staff capacity-building and coaching to ensure seamless market entry and effective follow-up.
During our past experience collaborating with SMEs through development projects in lebanon, morocco, egypt and the Middle East, we spotted a gigantic gap in various business development areas; including export business development. Hence, Cedar Trading Investments and Consulting, LLC established Business Development Services Centre with a main focus on enhancing the export performance of companies. We provide a bouquet of services aiming to help current exporters as well as exporters-to-be in their various steps of internationalization, we do this in a valid scientific way, to ensure a sustainable export growth.
We are a key partner for numerous local and international development organizations specialized in export development. We have also established partnerships with like-minded consultancy firms in different countries to facilitate rapid market entry in the usa.
Takween Advanced IndustriesDirector of Sales
May. 2016 - Nov. 2016Saudi ArabiaResponsible for Sales and Marketing for the medical and hygiene non woven textiles. 100 Million global company part of Takween conglomerate.
Smartful Rugs and Home textiles, LLCPresident and CEO
Jan. 2006 - Dec. 2015Greater Atlanta AreaIf you are looking to grow your business in the USA, the Middle East or South America, look no further.Our team specializes in developing large businesses with Top retailers in the USA including TJ maxx group, Marshalls, HomeGoods, Ross Stores, Big Lots, Home depot, Lowes, Walmart, Target... We are seasoned home furnishings Sales and Marketing professional with extensive experience in international import export textile and rug business, with proven track record to make a strong impact on the revenues and profitability of high growth, entrepreneurial businesses. We are seeking strategic partnerships with leading manufacturers worldwide
Our in-depth knowledge of the international decorative arts and textile markets, combined with our ability to create and deliver high revenue, long lasting key account relationships in a variety of countries and cultures through our excellent negotiation, interpersonal and relationship building skills would be an asset to any organization who wants to develop its business.
Smartful rugs provides opportunities for exceptional values in rugs, bedding, towels, table linens, kitchen and bath accessories. How do we do it? Strong relationships with manufacturers around the world make Smartful rugs a distributor of choice. When a mill has overstock, seasonal closeouts, returns or slight imperfections we receive the call. Unlike small margin discounters, we have the capitalization to buy and sell in huge quantities, making it possible to offer our customers highly advantageous pricing. Our online catalog is updated regularly, sometimes more than once a day, to give our customers up-to-date views of our fast-changing inventory.
Smartful rugs customers are the most respected names in high volume, value retailers throughout the United States. We are committed to responding to the varying commercial requirements of each for sorting, tagging and packing, so when the merchandise arrives it is ready to merge seamlessly with their inventory.
USAIDRetail and Distribution Expert (Food and Textiles sectors)
Mar. 2013 - Jun. 2015Cairo, EgyptRetail and Distribution Expert (Food and Textiles sectors) Egypt The Export Development Program (EDP) supports Egyptian Small and Medium Size enterprises (SMEs) that are 80% ready to export but need capacity building in the areas of marketing, sales and promotion. The objective of this project is to increase Egypt’s export activity to compete in global markets. • Lead the capacity building efforts of the SMEs vis-à-vis their branding, marketing, and promotion efforts. Partnered with the Textile Council of Egypt and the Food Sector Council and created export development training and coaching plans for the Councils.
• Identified 35 SMEs who participate in the program by attending trainings on marketing and promotion. These firms also receive coaching and individual consultations and attended several international trade shows where they utilize their newly acquired skills to generate new business and sales leads.
• Technical support included training and coaching on product selection, product display, pricing, packaging, design and generating buyer leads before, during, and after trade shows. • The Home textiles SMEs supported by participated in trade shows in Germany, Saudi Arabia, and the U.K., generating over $1.4 million in initial sales orders, and $5 million in projected future orders. Additional results include developing wider buyer networks, finding new buyers in new markets, and enhancing SME capacity to attract overseas buyers and pursue new exports. • As a result of program success, an extra year was added to further coach and grow the Home textiles and food SMEs.
USAID ( Morocco NBO Project)Home Textile Advisor
Mar. 2005 - Mar. 2008Casablanca, Morocco• Lead small and medium-size Moroccan exporting enterprises to develop the capacity to gain access to the U.S. market and take advantage of the US-Morocco FTA. • Provided market business development services in the textile sector in which Morocco has comparative and competitive advantages selling to U.S. buyers. • Services provided included market research and penetration strategy; one-on-one technical assistance in targeting buyers, product merchandising and positioning, trade show participation guidance, market intelligence; training in U.S. regulations, buyer social compliance, doing business with U.S. buyers, fashion trend analysis and forecast, and industry-specific business English.
Tradeam InternationalSenior Vice President Sales and Marketing
Nov. 1997 - Dec. 2005Atlanta, Georgia, United StatesSenior Vice President Marketing and Sales for this fast growth $100 million international decorative arts and import company headquartered in Atlanta, GA., USA. While serving as a key member of the international top management team, my duties included: • Responsibility for all Sales and Marketing functions of the big box division, including strategic planning, developing marketing plans, pricing, product development and packaging, competitive research, licensing and sales. • Full understanding of the textile and the hand-made and machine-made rug market trends.
• Design and development of major sales and marketing initiatives, both nationally and internationally at key accounts including Wal-mart, Home Depot, Lowe’s and Target, resulting in 400% revenue increase from these accounts over a six year period.
• Grew business from $4 to $20 million dollars in revenues with major retailers worldwide in key market areas including Japan, Korea, Mexico, England, China and Canada.
Beaulieu of AmericaSenior Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Oct. 1987 - Dec. 1996United States1995-1998
Senior Vice President, Textile Division for this $1 billion international carpet manufacturer and distributor. Duties included: • Responsibility for all facets of marketing and sales to the mass market.
• Direct responsibility for a $32 million dollar annual budget and 5 direct reports. • Developed major programs and promotions nationally. Grew business revenues from $8 million to $32 million in four years.
• Customers included Wal-mart, K-mart, Sears, Target and Meijer, with average key account representing $5 million in annual revenue. 1987-1995
Vice President, Northeast Division
• Grew business from $1 million to $12 million in annual revenue in 3 years. • Responsible for 3 professional sales staff and led 2 regional sales teams.
• Approximately 120 customers included specialty rug stores and furniture stores.
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