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A driven, innovative sales and marketing leader with over 20 years of experience building and managing successful companies. An inspirational executive who instills a culture of team success to produce exceptional achievements. Expert in using a systematic, scalable system to recruit, train, and manage outstanding sales organizations.

SUMMARY

GAME DAY SKINZ
Vice President of Sales 

Las Vegas, NV | 2024 - Current

  • Leading global sales for a startup company in the sporting goods industry

MOTIVATED ENTERPRISES
Vice President of Sales | Management Consultant 

Las Vegas, NV | 2019 - Current

  • Founded a consulting firm that specializes in sales and marketing for startups and SMBs

  • Help companies quickly increase revenue, build and scale sales teams, improve GTM strategies, and implement more effective sales processes

  • Pioneered the use of ChatGPT and other AI sales and marketing tools in companies to increase productivity, shorten sales cycles, and grow revenue

  • Increased clients' revenue by executing more efficient sales strategies in their sales cycle process from prospecting leads through close

  • Increased a Fintech company's new ARR by 72% in 9 months

  • Improved a company's closing ratio by 110% (19% to 40%) in 4 months

  • Exceeded sales goals by implementing aggressive sales programs, overhauling processes, and facilitating market development

SHORTCUTS SOFTWARE
General Manager - North America
AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Driving Revenue Growth
Scaling Sales Organizations
Developing GTM Strategies
Recruiting Top Talent
Lead Generation
Sales Playbook Creation
Contract Negotiations
Data Analysis
Use of ChatGPT and other AI tools to increase productivity and revenue
 
KEY STRENGTHS

Sales and Marketing
Profit Improvement & Revenue Gains
Implementation of AI and new technologies
Sales Enablement
Sales Onboarding and Training
Operations Management
Process Improvement
Multi-Site Management
Best Practices & Benchmarking
Budgeting & Finance
P&L Responsibility

Huntington Beach, CA | 2018 - 2019

  • Head of North America for $20M ARR software company offering SaaS and on-premise solutions in the salon and spa industry

  • Full responsibility for sales, marketing, operations, HR, and P&L

  • Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules, and contract negotiations

  • Led the recruitment, hiring, and training of team members.

  • Developed and implemented strategies to increase sales and profitability

  • Maximized operational excellence by coaching and mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, company procedures, and technology systems

  • Implemented innovative programs to increase employee loyalty and reduce turnover

  • Led turnaround of the region in less than one year

  • Brought in after 3 straight years of declining revenue and grew EBITA 15% YoY within 9 months

  • Decreased customer attrition by 24% YoY within 9 months

  • Instilled a new corporate culture which improved employee satisfaction by 19%

  • Implemented new A/R practices and recovered 80% of accounts 90+ days past due

  • Reduced Help Desk wait times by 78% without adding additional staff

  • Revitalized marketing strategy and processes, managed PPC/SEM campaigns, and lowered cost per lead by 40%

  • Drove year-over-year business growth while leading operations, strategic vision, and long-range planning.

CHAMPIONS MOVING CO.
Vice President of Sales and Marketing

San Diego, CA | 2009 - 2018

  • Founded a startup relocation services company in San Diego, CA

  • Exceeded sales targets and increased profitability through effective sales strategy and business planning

  • Continually evaluated marketplace trends and oversaw the gathering of competitive intelligence within markets and across service lines

  • Recruited, interviewed, and hired employees and implemented a mentoring program to promote positive feedback and engagement

  • Compiled and analyzed data to determine approaches to improve sales and performance

  • Owned and executed all marketing campaigns

  • Built relationships with customers and within the community to establish long-term business growth

  • Grew new company from 0 to over 2600 clients and expanded to Orange County, CA

  • With full P&L responsibility, achieved profitability 9 years in a row with an average operating margin of 45%

  • Maintained financial controls, planned business operations, and controlled expenses while identifying and pursuing opportunities to grow business operations and boost profits

EDUCATION
University of Washington
Seattle, WA | 1988 - 1993
B.A., Psychology

Emphasis: Business Marketing

AWARDS

2017 Inducted into Pacific Northwest Football Hall of Fame 

2014, 2012, 2009, and 2002 Flag Football National/World Champions

2006 AutoSuccess Magazine's Innovative Company of the Year

2002 #1 Sales Team in the US, Staples Business Advantage

2000 #1 Sales Team in the US, Boise Cascade Office Products

1998 #1 National Sales Branch of the Year, Electric Lightwave

1997 Inducted into the University of Washington Athletic Hall of Fame

1992 "Top TKE" National Award Winner for Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity

1991 College Football National Champions, University of Washington

1991, 1992, and 1993 Rose Bowls (Pac-10 Champions)

1991 UW Football "Bob Jarvis Most Inspirational Walk-On" Award Winner 
ADP/BZ RESULTS
Vice President of Sales and Search Engine Marketing

San Diego, CA | 2003 - 2008

  • Vice President of Sales for an award-winning SaaS digital marketing company in the automotive industry

  • Helped grow the company from a startup into a $125M acquisition by ADP Dealer Services in three years

  • Developed short and long-term sales strategies to gain market share, uncover new sales opportunities, and increase revenue

  • Heightened product awareness levels and drove gross profit margins to over 40% through negotiations with dealership owners and management teams

  • Grew revenue by implementing effective sales strategies in the sales cycle process from prospecting leads through close

  • Personally sold $6.73M in digital marketing and SEM contracts

  • Promoted to Vice President of Search Engine Marketing

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Big Brother/mentor (Boys & Girls Club of America and Blessed Sacrament Church)

Youth sports coach (basketball and flag football)
FOOTBALL LEAGUE OF EUROPE
Quarterback/Offensive Coordinator

Germany, France, and Finland | 1993 - 1996

  • Played four seasons of professional football in Germany, France, and Finland

  • As Offensive Coordinator, in charge of all offensive execution including game plan development, play calling, and offensive player management

  • Led team to Top Five ranking in Europe.

  • Won Football League of Europe Conference Championship

  • As quarterback, set team records for passing yards, completions, touchdowns, and total offense

UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON FOOTBALL
Quarterback

Seattle, WA | 1988 - 1993

  • Walk-on quarterback on the University of Washington football team for five seasons

  • Played for two College Football Hall of Fame coaches, Don James and Gary Pinkel

  • Won 1991 College Football National Championship

  • Played in 1991, 1992, and 1993 Rose Bowls (Pac-10 Champions)

  • Team finished the season ranked in the Top 10 for three straight years (1991, 1992, and 1993)

  • Named "Honorary Offensive Captain" four times and "Back-up Player of the Week" twenty-three times

  • Invited to the White House to meet President George H. W. Bush to celebrate the National Championship 

© 2025 by Tom Nakane

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