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Founder

Vanir Construction Management, Inc.

-- Acted as a Project Manager overseeing the design phase for two large elementary school projects in Dallas, TX.
-- Responsible for coordinating Architect and Dallas ISD stakeholders to meet design deliverable milestones. 
-- Received final scope to budget sign-offs (both within assigned Bond Program budget) from Dallas ISD Construction Services. 
-- Key player in achieving agreement on scope between the design teams, school principals, HOA organizations, and SBDM committees.  
-- Adapted to the Dallas ISD Construction Services design guidelines/procedures rapidly to effectively manage and lead my assigned teams.  
-- Taking an active lead in applying my past experience with LEAN best practices (i.e. pull planning) to improve design deliverable schedule dates and to make critical processes much more efficient.  

Project:
-- Dallas Independent School District Bond Construction Program ($1.6 Billion)

Project Manager

-- Lead a team of five County maintenance personnel to perform quality assurance level commissioning to ensure that systems ran efficiently and within design parameters.  
-- Oversaw the transfer of all MEP related equipment data into the County facility management system.
-- Coordinated submittal comments from the various groups within the County to ensure that the Basis of Design was being complied with.
-- Carried out all final punch list walks with the Contractor across 25 buildings and back-checked items to ensure 100% completion prior to turnover.  
-- Worked closely with multiple Project Managers to verify accurate percent complete for all phases of work on monthly billings.
-- Attended regular coordination meetings for technology installations, MEP commissioning, and detention equipment and software roll-out.

Project:
-- County of San Diego Las Colinas Detention and Re-entry Facility ($222 Million)
-- This 460,000-square-foot design-build  jail project comprised of 25 buildings across 45 acres, and featuring 1,216 beds.  The facility was designed to be the first of its kind in the United States to create a calming built environment to encourage positive interactions between inmates and deputies, thus helping reduce recidivism over time. 
-- The project finished ahead of schedule, on budget, and with a zero punch-list at turnover.
-- Achieved LEED Gold.
-- Recipient of 16 awards.  Of them, the most notable were the Marvin M. Black Partnering Excellence Award, the Project Achievement Award from the CMAA, and the Design Excellence Award from DBIA.

Assistant Construction Manager

Kiewit

-- Lead the implementation of linked digital PDF drawings and the roll-out of tablet devices in the field.
-- Took an active role within the BIM team to work closely with subcontractors to resolve all clash detection prior to construction.
-- Coordinated a survey team and utilized both AutoDesk Civil3D/Trimble technology to provide coordinate locations for roadways/bridges, soil excavation quantities, and as-built data.
-- Ensured that all project plans were updated with the most recent RFI and ASI documents.
-- Tracked daily reports and verified that monthly pay applications to the client remained accurate.

Project:
--Green Build Terminal 2 Landside Expansion Project at San Diego International Airport ($230 Million)  
--This design build project consisted of additions and modifications of all roadways, bridges, and parking facilities.  The most notable achievement was a 1,200 foot long, dual-level roadway that separates arrival and departure traffic, improving the airport efficiency and safety.  
--Was the recipient of the Project of the Year Award from the San Diego Chapter of the CMAA.

Project Engineer

Absher Construction

-- Worked closely with school staff to deliver final closeout documentation and extra stock.
-- Participated on weekly safety walks and documented findings with Safety Manager.
-- Verified that on-site material deliveries matched up with submittal documentation.
-- Managed a campus wide temporary signage program to ensure student travel paths kept away from construction activities.

Projects:
-- Nathan Hale High School Addition and Modernization Project ($60 Million)
-- This modernization project consisted of a 14,500 square-foot library and renovation to the existing building.  Unique elements of this project included open concept learning space, art gallery, a revitalized dining hall, and an overhauled courtyard.
-- Achieved LEED Silver.

Intern

Charter Construction

-- Assisted the Project Manager with ensuring that all projects stayed well within client budgets.
-- Responsible for all facets of construction documentation and making daily updates.
-- Worked closely with site superintendents to resolve critical field issues to mitigate schedule impacts.
-- Performed weekly site visits to log construction progress and inspect workmanship quality.

Projects:
-- High end custom residential properties (Up to $15 million)

DLH Inc. General Contracting

-- Gained experience with wood framing, roofing, drywall, painting, and demolition.
-- Worked closely with excavation crews to ensure proper grades were being met prior to foundation pours.
-- During heavy rains, managed multiple sump pumps to keep work moving.
-- Managed daily site cleanup prior to departure.

Projects:
-- High end custom residential properties (Up to $5 Million)

Laborer

I founded Black Label Advisor in 2020 after I sold my e-commerce business for $5 million. After I exited, I immediately felt the calling to start providing strategic consulting to brand owners looking to scale but not have to hire a full management agency. 

The response has been phenomenal.  I have consulted 100+ brands ranging from total beginners to 7+ figure legends like Caden Lane, Skin Grip, and Dr. Sebagh. My clients make up more than $100 million in Amazon revenue. 

I enjoy working with brand owners who have aggressive growth strategies and are willing to expand off of Amazon to diversify their revenue. Amazon is just the beginning!

My specialty is helping brand owners grow their online presence rapidly, increase profits, expand the revenue channels, and optimize for a lucrative 7+ figure exit.

My mission has remained the same: provide a high level of service for my clients from a place of experience and authenticity. Most gurus you'll run into have never sold on Amazon. Be careful out there!

If consulting isn't a need, I hope you find immense value from my daily social media posts and weekly newsletter!  

CONNECT with me here:

→ Book a free discovery call: https://calendly.com/blacklabeladvisor/discovery-call
→ Sign up for my free weekly Amazon seller newsletter: https://blacklabeladvisor.ck.page/amazon-insiders
→ Follow me on X: @BlackLabelAdvsr
→ My website: www.blacklabeladvisor.com
→ Shoot me an email: jonelder@blacklabeladvisor.com

I'm looking forward to hearing from you!

Jon Elder

Invinci

Invinci is an industry-leading boutique consultancy offering C-suite advisory and specialized execution services for premium consumer brands and investors on Amazon globally. Part of Invinci Group.

Partner & Head of North America

PLANTFUEL

PlantFuel® is a Science Driven, Athlete Focused, Plant Fueled Nutrition Company. Rooted within the core of every athlete is the desire to improve. Whether that be a drive to be stronger, faster, or healthier, the craving to Keep Going always endures. At PlantFuel, our commitment to you is to create the best products available to successfully bridge the gap between healthy, plant-based nutrition and peak performance.

To become the world’s first plant-based, athlete focused company, we had to champion a new standard to which products are held. Utilizing a multi-approach, scientific process including world class physician formulations, we feature clinically proven, banned substance-free ingredients without compromising on flavor, digestion quality, or performance output.

At PlantFuel®, we believe in Good for the Body, as well as Good for the Planet, that’s why we use Plant Fueled packaging made from plants that are compostable and responsibly sourced. PlantFuel® products are packed in plastic free, plant-based packaging that serves as our eco-conscious step forward in hopes of inspiring global environmental change.

Lastly, proceeds from every sale of PlantFuel® products are donated to One Tree Planted, a non-profit organization focused on global reforestation, protecting biodiversity, and creating a healthier climate.

President

Amazon

Strategic recruitment and business development with a focus on sought after DTC brands. I work with the best brands and their partners, to scale sales and brand awareness globally. I dive deep with data to analyze trends, understand market requirements, and develop new opportunities and programs. I work with external and internal leadership to grow the business while staying lean, scrappy and overcoming obstacles along the way. I live to think outside of the box and reach across Amazon business groups (ie. Advertising, AWS, and Category) to apply the flywheel; continuing the cycle of improving the customer experience by working with brand owners to provide the best products and brand experience for our customers.

Business Development, Amazon Marketplace

Switching to my OPS side, I worked on projects to streamline customer returns process across Amazon's fulfillment centers as we ramped to launch Prime Wardrobe and eliminate redundant programs.

Senior Program Manager, FBA Softlines 

The Global Vendor Management (GVM) function was created to leverage Amazon’s global scale with vendors to achieve more than we can by acting as independent locales. My team's mission was to drive accelerated selection growth and improved vendor terms by partnering with select vendors and improving standard tools and processes to accelerate gains with all vendors. I was responsible for leading global partnerships with Reckitt Benckiser, Johnson & Johnson, Colgate, Mead Johnson, Kimberly Clark, BISSELL and lead a number of projects, such as expansion of Luxury Beauty category globally.

Senior Global Business Development Manager, Global Vendor Management 

Part of a small team that develops global retail negotiation tools and products. I work on vendor benchmarkng and strategic partnerships.

Sr. Product Manager, Vendor Negotiations & Customer Trust

T-Mobile

Extensive financial analysis, forecasting, budgeting and planning 

Developing comprehensive financial forecasting and budgeting models to support the planning process in addition to the development of financial models to aid in decision making and evaluation of initiatives, including scenarios and sensitivity analyses across a range of options

Performing continuous channel profitability analysis, understanding key drivers of performance (e.g. sales volumes, margin, customer retention, value creation, return on investment). 

Effectively communicating performance to channel leaders, and identify risks and opportunities.

Working understanding of operating and cost drivers, with the ability to translate and interpret these within financial results

Creating executive-level presentations, presenting complex analytical findings in a clear and concise manner

Influence leadership through fact-based analyses

Building effective partnerships with Channel Management, Sales, Accounting and Marketing understand and model baseline business trends and emerging initiatives

Finance Manager (Market Invest - FP&A)

Hyatt Hotels & Resorts

Daily activities revolving around business management and sales operations. 

Develop strategy recommendations using extensive data analysis.

Present hotel marketing efforts through live presentations and webinars for audiences ranging from 5 to 200 people.

Take part in ongoing marketing efforts with the emphasis on social media strategies.

Effectively interface with all levels and departments (internal and external) on a formal, informal, written and verbal basis.

Sr.Sales Manager, Corporate Accounts

Developed weekly, monthly, and annual revenue forecasts for the hotel.

Synthesized raw revenue data and business objectives to produce actionable strategic goals for the team.

Directed weekly revenue meetings to measure hotel performance against established financial goals with heavy emphasis on data analytics.

Revenue Manager

Responsibilities included staffing according to forecasted payroll figures, scheduling, monitoring, mentoring, evaluating, disciplining and leading a diverse staff of 45+ people.

Accountable for setting and achieving quarterly and annual financial and customer service goals.

Developed and implemented complete training programs for various "front of house" departments.

Daily work included oversight of a 4 Star & 4 Diamond hotel including customer disputes, various accounting functions and staff related concerns. 

Acted as a liaison between the hotel management and the general public.

Front Office Manager

Maria is a Founder and CEO of Amplified Solutions Group, a digital commerce consultancy, focusing on helping companies understand, grow and solidify their presence on all digital markets from D2C to Amazon. Maria is often hired to deliver quick results in setting specific strategy goals – from expanding and solidifying presence and shifting market share in eCommerce channels to last mile delivery (including operational efficiencies), packaging innovation or data analysis across all CPG categories. Maria created Digital Academy courses for client such as GSK (GlaxoSmithKline) and LG Electronics that have become accredited courses within those organizations. Recently, Maria conducted a digital shelf deep dive for LG Electronics, reporting directly to President of the company, repositioning company's Amazon and D2C business across segments such as Monitors, Televisions and Home Products. 

Maria’s current projects include President of PLANTFUEL, a Sports Nutrition brand where she is responsible for brand strategy, marketing strategy, eChannel expansion, managing daily operations and vendor selection & management. Maria was also a Chief Strategy Officer at Peels, the world’s first CBD brand with products made from orange peels, bringing the brand to market in 2 months on D2C channel and driving strategy across operations, marketing, social media, R&D, product development and C-Suite teams.

Maria’s 7+ year tenure at Amazon included leading projects in Packaging Innovation & Design (SIOC, FFP), launching Luxury Beauty globally (7 countries) and leading global partnerships for Reckitt Benckiser, Colgate, J&J, Mead Johnson, Kimberly Clark and other strategic CPG companies ($1BN + combined annual revenue).  She spent her most recent years at Amazon heading Emerging Brands program for the Consumables category. A brand builder at heart, Maria helped craft the program parameters that incentivized the launch of DTC Brands as well as worked on partnerships for new, “born on Amazon” brands (Undone Beauty, Three Wishes, RightRice). Maria also trailblazed a path of working with Venture Capital firms, creating a pipeline of newly incubated and funded brands. This close, collaborative, data driven, customer centric and honest approach to working with founders and brand owners lead Maria to start her own consulting Company (Amplified Solutions Group), which focuses on helping brands navigate eCommerce by offering strategies to build new and innovate on existing products for the digital shelf, with a focus on Amazon and DTC platforms.

taplio

The Battle

Jon Elder

Maria Dane, MBA

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