Samantha McGregor

Business Before Fashion 

Business Before Fashion strengthens businesses and boosts their sales through customer-centric email and SMS marketing. 

Since inception, we have generated over $50MM in attributable email and SMS revenue. For example, one of our clients, a fashion retailer, increased its email-based sales by 550%. 

Our core values revolve around trust, respect, honesty, and results. 

We seek to build mutual trust with every client to ensure an honest business relationship. There’s a trend in online marketing: selling a generic campaign or email flow and acting like that’s a holistic solution. But this is setting brands up to fail with unrealistically high expectations.

By being honest and upfront on all decisions, our team and clients are on the same page. I ensure my clients have a strategy that aligns with their audience and their product so they’re clear about the longer-term strategic roadmap for the future of their business.

In working with your marketing team, I will help them to…

~ Create buyers’ personas so you can start sending the right message to the right buyer at the right time.

~ Map out your customer’s journey with your product or service — from the first touchpoint to where you want them to end up.

~ Use your customer journey map to improve conversions and sales.

~ Understand the anatomy of a good email, along with email sequences, automation, and the importance of segmentation.

~ Nurture relationships through your emails so your subscribers stick to you like glue.

~ Measure what’s important, track metrics, identify gaps and maximize conversions.

~ Continue to improve your email deliverability and get into your customer’s inbox, not marked as spam or promotion.

If you’re ready to grow your profits with sure-fire methods guaranteed to give success every time…

Let me help you to create targeted, personalized marketing campaigns to maximize revenue for your business. Email sam@businessbeforefashion.com.

Founder + Email Marketing Strategist

CX by Design

I helped SaaS companies expand their reach and build best-in-class customer success departments to serve ecommerce clients. 

Responsibilities included:

~ Working collaboratively with product and marketing teams; sharing feedback, identifying areas for improvement, and supporting upsell conversations.

~ Contributing to the strategic direction of the Customer Success team.

 ~ Providing guidance, mentorship and feedback to a team of Customer Success Managers.

~ Overseeing the success of all ecommerce customers, from onboarding to ongoing use, to ensure contract renewals and upsells.

~ Providing strategic advice and support to customers.

~ Serving as a point of escalation for customer issues and ensuring those issues are addressed quickly, rallying the appropriate teams.

~ Contributing to the development of internal Customer Success training materials to support future scaling of the team.

CEO 

Canopy Labs

As VP of Customer Success, I managed a team of Customer Success Managers and Analysts to ensure stellar customer onboarding and ongoing experience. I worked collaboratively with the sales, marketing, and product teams sharing feedback and identifying areas for improvement. 

Responsibilities included:
 
~ Managing a team of Customer Success Managers and Analysts, providing guidance, mentorship and feedback.

~ Overseeing the success of all Canopy Lab customers, from onboarding to ongoing use, to ensure contract renewals.

~ Providing strategic advice and support to our customers.

~ Serving as a point of escalation for customer issues and ensuring those issues are addressed quickly, rallying the appropriate Canopy Labs teams.

~ Contributing to the development of internal Customer Success training materials to support future scaling of the team.

~ Working collaboratively with product and marketing teams; sharing feedback, identifying areas for improvement, and supporting upsell conversations.

~ Contributing to the strategic direction of the Customer Success team within Canopy Labs.

Vice President of Customer Success

TouchBistro

Responsible for overseeing onboarding, customer retention, and special projects and for providing several direct reports. In addition, I also oversee the customer success specialists, our installation and support departments, renewals and retention, customer success ambassadors, and internal product specialists. 

~ The main goal was to ensure every TouchBistro customer had a smooth transition from the Sales team to the customer launch and beyond. 

~ In charge of ensuring the accuracy of quotes/orders/invoices in both the CRM (Salesforce) and Accounting (NetSuite) systems. 

~ Accountable for generating financial reports for accounts payable, accounts receivable, external partners, and keeping track of timely payments and collections. 

~ Manage the processes and lead the team to ensure smooth and efficient operations of the Customer Success area while executing current practices. I provided mentorship and continued professional development for team members.

Customer Success Director

Toronto Star

~ Department lead for a 12-month project to implement an improved CRM system, hiring and training a team of 5 Account Managers to effectively use the additional business insight the software offered to increase customer satisfaction and ensure business objectives and targets are being met. 

~ Oversaw a team of 9 employees successfully completing a 9-month advertising server migration, ensuring clients experienced no service issues during the transition of online campaigns.

~ Manage relationships with new and existing vendor partners, creating process workflows and systems that enable them to become entirely self-sufficient within 18 months.

~ Collaborate with various departments to ensure processes and business operations continue to run smoothly and that all revenue streams are closely monitored, as well as identifying opportunities to automate processes. Facilitated 179% online revenue increase and 48% increase in order processing efficiency.

~ Fostered and maintained strong client relationships from the sales phase through to daily account management, increasing revenue within an assigned sales territory from $250K to $850K in 12 months and managing account teams of 5 people.

Manager, Client Services Process Improvement

Torstar Digital

~ Acting as the main point of contact in all matters relating to client concerns and needs, building and strengthening client relationships to achieve long-term partnerships.

~ Maintaining accurate client records, and keeping track of any contract updates and renewals.

~ Working with sales and other internal teams to develop strategic marketing plans and ensure KPIs are being met.

~ Developing a thorough understanding of products and service offerings to better upsell and cross-sell to clients.

~ Staying on top of accounts, making sure they’re receiving services that are within their budget and meeting their needs, and generating progress reports to give to clients and higher-ups within the organization.

~ Identifying upsell, cross-sell, and renewal opportunities and communicating with the sales team regularly.

~ Building and maintaining lasting relationships with clients and partners by understanding focus and needs and anticipating them in advance.

Senior Account Manager & Account Executive

Working on the overall product strategy and vision. This role required me to be client-facing to get close to the problems and needs, then transfer this into the product vision.

~ Shaping the product roadmap for the core products and the strategy for all new products and features. Leading all efforts right from concept and discovery to release and launch. Working collaboratively with sales, marketing, and engineering teams.

~ Leading product strategy by harnessing the collective knowledge of all stakeholders (CEO, clients, engineers) and developing detailed requirements and features that are cost-effective.

~ Scoping out specific prospect/customer feedback and analyzing usage data/patterns to validate a business requirement and detail user stories.

~ Supporting engineering resources in creating effective wireframes and technical specifications that delivered on the business requirement.

~ Identifying and filling product gaps, leading the brainstorming of new ideas that grow market share.

Product Coordinator

Account Manager

Customer Service Representative

Helping fashion and beauty brands maximize revenue using data-driven and profitable email and SMS campaigns

Working as the VP of Customer Success for a top marketing analytics firm, I discovered the power data-driven campaigns had in unlocking massive hidden revenue streams.

By understanding, engaging, & activating their customers through an optimized customer journey (both online and offline), my clients have decreased their customer acquisition cost, increased their AOV by 26%, and lifted their product sales growth by 30%. 

After the analytics company, I worked for was acquired in 2018, I started my own consulting business, helping SaaS companies expand their reach & build best-in-class customer success departments. 

Being an unapologetic data nerd, I love nothing more than diving into a spreadsheet & analyzing numbers & trends.

Working for an AI-driven marketing company, I fell in love with data, customer segmentation based on behaviour, and personalized marketing campaigns. There, I honed my skills in Customer Journey Mapping, helping clients maximize their revenue and sales growth. 

Crunching the numbers to help business owners achieve their growth dreams keeps me excited daily!

I specialize in email and SMS campaigns & digital marketing strategies for brick-and-mortar & direct-to-consumer fashion & beauty brands generating $10-60MM annual revenue. 

My clients seek my strategic campaign experience to:

~ Provide input & strategic direction to meet business objectives and exceed financial expectations.

~ Analyze existing email marketing campaigns & flows to see where they are leaving money on the table and how they can increase revenue.

~ Refine their SMS marketing approach & strategy to increase conversions or launch a brand new SMS program from the ground up.

~ Improve email & SMS signup conversions.

~ Oversee deliverability & compliance processes to maintain & improve program performance.

~ Identify additional email & SMS flows to drive incremental revenue continually.

Email & SMS marketing should be a source of revenue and growth businesses can rely on. But too many companies are leaving money on the table and struggle to find the bandwidth to optimize their marketing campaigns. 

If your acquisition costs are growing but you’re struggling to meet & exceed your online revenue expectations, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity to expand. 

It’s why clients come to me to identify what messages they need to be putting in front of their customers to maximize their email & SMS marketing. 

If you’re a fashion or beauty brand that is looking for growth, I invite you to email me at sam@businessbeforefashion.com.

RevUp Accelerator strengthens businesses and boosts their sales through customer-centric email and SMS marketing. 

Since inception, we have generated over $50MM in attributable email and SMS revenue. For example, one of our clients, a fashion retailer, increased its email-based sales by 550%. 

Our core values revolve around trust, respect, honesty, and results. 

We seek to build mutual trust with every client to ensure an honest business relationship. There’s a trend in online marketing: selling a generic campaign or email flow and acting like that’s a holistic solution. But this is setting brands up to fail with unrealistically high expectations.

By being honest and upfront on all decisions, our team and clients are on the same page. I ensure my clients have a strategy that aligns with their audience and their product so they’re clear about the longer-term strategic roadmap for the future of their business.

In working with your marketing team, I will help them to…

~ Create buyers’ personas so you can start sending the right message to the right buyer at the right time.

~ Map out your customer’s journey with your product or service — from the first touchpoint to where you want them to end up.

~ Use your customer journey map to improve conversions and sales.

~ Understand the anatomy of a good email, along with email sequences, automation, and the importance of segmentation.

~ Nurture relationships through your emails so your subscribers stick to you like glue.

~ Measure what’s important, track metrics, identify gaps and maximize conversions.

~ Continue to improve your email deliverability and get into your customer’s inbox, not marked as spam or promotion.

If you’re ready to grow your profits with sure-fire methods guaranteed to give success every time…

Let me help you to create targeted, personalized marketing campaigns to maximize revenue for your business. Email sam.mcgregor@revupaccelerator.com.

Various Organisations

As "CTO/CISO as a Service", I provide the strategic technology leadership and cloud solutions that growing businesses need, without the overheads associated with a full-time executive position. This innovative model allows me to bring my two decades of industry experience to a broader range of clients, from ambitious startups to established corporations seeking to navigate digital transformation more effectively.

Key Roles and Responsibilities:

🔹 Strategic Technology Leadership: As an outsourced CTO, I guide businesses in shaping their technological roadmap, aligning it with their broader business goals and ensuring it's primed for future industry trends.

🔹 Cloud Implementation: I leverage my cloud expertise to provide businesses with scalable cloud strategies, aiding in everything from migration and integration to optimizing their cloud computing capabilities.

🔹 Software/Product Development: Drawing from my vast experience, I guide teams in creating cutting-edge software solutions and products, positioning businesses for success in the digital age.

🔹 Scalability & Growth: I provide expert advice to businesses on scaling up their operations effectively, with a focus on technology optimization, process improvements, and team development.

🔹 Innovation Catalyst: By fostering a culture of innovation within client organizations, I encourage creative problem solving, continuous learning, and technological advancement.

🔹 Information Security Leadership: As a seasoned CISO, I bring my expertise in information security to the table, helping businesses protect their critical data and infrastructure, meet compliance requirements, and build a robust cybersecurity culture. This includes everything from developing and implementing security policies and controls to providing training and awareness programs to mitigate cyber threats.

CTO & CISO

In this pivotal role as a Board Advisor, I harness my extensive knowledge of technology leadership, guiding companies on strategic decision-making and digital innovation. I offer valuable insights, leveraging my expertise in cloud computing, information security, software development, and digital strategy, with a keen understanding of online reputation management.

Key Contributions:

🔹 Strategic Decision-Making: Facilitate the shaping of strategic choices, advising on the integration of technology with business objectives.

🔹 Digital Innovation: Guide the board on digital innovation, recommending how technology can be used to deliver better services, enhance operations, and ultimately achieve a competitive advantage.

🔹 Online Reputation Management: Provide insights into effective reputation management strategies, enhancing brand visibility, trust, and value. I utilize my understanding of this domain to ensure businesses cultivate a strong, positive digital presence.

🔹 Information Security Guidance: Advise on the establishment of robust security protocols and policies, safeguarding the company's digital assets.

🔹 Leadership Mentorship: Share expertise on building and developing high-performing technology teams, fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation.

Board Advisor - Technology, Strategy & Digital Innovation

Swiss School of Business and Management

Doctorate Research Scholar in Cloud Computing

Technology Business Management (TBM) Council

Executive Member

Cogneesol

In my concurrent role as Chief Information Security Officer at Cogneesol, I have been instrumental in reducing the organization's technology risk exposure and establishing strong security controls. As a specialist in information security, I have leveraged people, processes, and technology to mitigate existing and evolving global threats, ensuring the protection of our company's digital assets and reputation.

Key Contributions:

🔹 Holistic Security Approach:
My expertise in information has enabled me to develop and implement comprehensive security strategies that address all aspects of the organization's technology infrastructure, including Information Security, General Compliance, Business Continuity, Risk and Compliance, and Audit & Accreditation.

🔹 Policy & Procedure Development:
I have demonstrated exceptional skills in policy and procedure writing, controls mapping, and the design and delivery of effective security awareness programs. By creating and implementing clear, actionable security policies and procedures, I have fostered a culture of security awareness and vigilance throughout the organization.

🔹 Compliance & Management Systems:
I have successfully implemented and maintained formal management systems such as SOC 2, HIPAA, and ISO 27001 (ISMS), ensuring that our organization remains compliant with all relevant industry regulations and standards. 

🔹 Building a Security-Aware Culture:
Under my guidance Cogneesol has become a security-aware organization that prioritizes the protection of sensitive information and the mitigation of potential threats. By cultivating a security-conscious culture, I have helped our team members understand their individual roles in safeguarding the company's digital assets and maintaining the trust of our clients.

Chief Information Security Officer

I have been responsible for spearheading new digital and technical initiatives, driving innovation, and empowering the company to achieve its strategic objectives. My multifaceted role encompasses a wide range of responsibilities including:

🔹 Vision & Strategy:
In my capacity as Head of Technology, I have set a clear and ambitious vision for how technology can be harnessed to propel the company forward. By consistently proposing and implementing cutting-edge technologies and innovations across different verticals, I have helped in being competitive and adapt to the rapidly changing business landscape.

🔹 IT Infrastructure & Compliance:
I have overseen the design and maintenance of the company's IT infrastructure, ensuring optimal scalability, performance, and availability. 

🔹 Team Building & Development Centre:
Recognizing the importance of talent in driving technological innovation, I have built a world-class software development team. By fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous learning, and excellence, I have empowered our team to deliver ground-breaking solutions that drive value for the company and customers.

🔹 Consumer Focus & Software Development:
By maintaining a consumer-focused outlook, I have ensured that our software projects are designed and delivered with the end-user in mind. This focus on customer satisfaction has enabled us to bring innovative products and services to market that resonate with our target audience and generate meaningful impact.

🔹 Executive Decision Making & Mentorship:
As a key decision-maker for the company's technology requirements, I have consistently made strategic choices that have advanced our capabilities and positioned us for future success.
 
🔹 Covid-19 Response & Remote Work Enablement:
During the unprecedented challenge of Covid-19, I played a pivotal role in swiftly transitioning our workforce of over 500 employees to a remote work setup, ensuring seamless business continuity for our 300+ clients.

Head Of Technology

Enterprise Mobility Xperts Pvt. Ltd.

In addition to my role as CTO, I have taken on the responsibility of Information Security Officer at Enterprise Mobility Xperts, ensuring that our software development processes and client operations adhere to the highest standards of security and data protection.

Key Contributions:

🔹 Security Best Practices in Software Development:
Recognizing the critical importance of information security in today's digital landscape, I have championed the integration of security best practices throughout our software development lifecycle. By incorporating secure coding techniques, regular code reviews, and vulnerability assessments, we have significantly reduced security risks in the applications we deliver to our clients. This proactive approach to security has not only protected our clients' sensitive data but also enhanced the reputation and trustworthiness of our company.

🔹 Client Operations Security:
To safeguard our clients' operations, I have implemented robust security policies and procedures that govern the handling, storage, and transmission of sensitive data. By educating our team on these policies and conducting regular audits, we have ensured that our company complies with industry regulations and standards.

🔹 Security Awareness & Training:
Understanding that security is a shared responsibility, I have conducted regular security awareness training for our team members, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify and respond to potential security risks. This focus on security education has fostered a culture of vigilance and accountability, ensuring that every member of our team contributes to the protection of our clients' valuable data and assets.

Information Security Officer

I have had the unique opportunity to leverage my diverse technical background and leadership skills to drive the growth and success of my own company. I have provided expert consultancy and management services to a wide range of startups and corporate clients, helping them define and refine their technology and business strategies.

Key Contributions:

🔹 Software Development & Technical Expertise:
With a wealth of experience in software development, I have played an integral role in the development and delivery of over 800 mobile applications, as well as numerous consumer and enterprise solutions. My technical ability spans multiple programming languages, frameworks, and platforms, including iOS, Android, React Native, Open Source Backends etc.

🔹 Cloud Management & Integration:
Recognizing the transformative potential of cloud technologies, I have been involved in integrating cloud-based solutions into the mobile applications and software projects we deliver. By harnessing the power of cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, I have helped clients achieve greater scalability, flexibility, and cost efficiency.

🔹 Project & Product Management:
As a hands-on leader, I have managed numerous cross-functional teams, overseeing the full project lifecycle from concept to completion. By implementing agile methodologies and fostering a culture of open communication and collaboration, I have ensured that projects are delivered on time and within budget, while maintaining the highest quality standards.

🔹 Solution Architecture & Consultancy:
With a keen eye for innovation and a deep understanding of the intricacies of software development, I have served as a solution architect for many of our client projects. By analyzing client requirements and evaluating the technical landscape, I have designed and proposed optimal software architectures and technology stacks that maximize the efficiency, performance, and security of their applications.

Chief Technology Officer

🔹 Business Strategy & Partnerships:
In addition to my technical contributions, I have played a pivotal role in shaping the company's overall business strategy, identifying growth opportunities, and forging strategic partnerships. My ability to bridge the gap between technology and business has enabled me to craft compelling value propositions for clients, resulting in lasting relationships and a strong reputation for Enterprise Mobility Xperts within the industry.

🔹 Client Impact & ROI:
Under my technical leadership, our clients have consistently experienced significant returns on their investment in our services. By delivering innovative, high-quality software solutions that meet or exceed their expectations, we have helped clients achieve measurable improvements in key performance indicators, such as user engagement, customer acquisition, and revenue generation. Our commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction has earned us a loyal clientele and numerous referrals, driving the continued growth and success of our company.

🔹 Team Leadership & Mentorship:
As the Co-Founder, I have been responsible for building and nurturing a team of talented software developers, engineers, and project managers. By providing mentorship, training, and opportunities for growth, I have fostered a culture of continuous learning and improvement, ensuring that our team remains at the cutting edge of technology and best practices. This focus on people and their development has contributed to the overall growth of the business and had tremendous impact on client outputs.

Co-Founder

Impinge Solutions

Following my tenure at Baddi University, I joined Impinge Solutions as a Network Administrator, where I further honed my skills by managing the network infrastructure, server operations and hosting solutions for a fast-paced, rapidly growing software development company.

Key Contributions:
🔹 Network Optimization & Expansion: Pioneered the optimization and expansion of the company's network infrastructure to accommodate increased workloads and accommodate the needs of a growing development team, resulting in a 30% improvement in network efficiency and capacity.

🔹 Server Management: Led the administration and maintenance of various types of servers, including web, application, and database servers, ensuring maximum uptime, security, and performance. This comprehensive server management approach contributed to the timely delivery of high-quality software solutions to clients.

🔹 Website Hosting & Migration: Streamlined the website hosting process for both internal and client projects, implementing best practices for site deployment, backup, and recovery. Successfully managed the migration of multiple websites to more robust and secure hosting platforms, reducing downtime and enhancing user experience.

🔹 Network Security & Compliance: Strengthened the company's network security posture by implementing industry-standard security measures, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and regular vulnerability assessments. 

🔹 Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborated closely with development teams to address their networking and server-related requirements, providing critical support for the successful delivery of software projects
My experience at Impinge Solutions allowed me to further develop my technical expertise in a demanding, results-driven environment. This is where I leaned towards software development and cloud solutions. This was the start of my journey towards Clouds 😊

Network Administrator

Baddi University

In the early stages of my career, I joined Baddi University as a Network Administrator, where I played a pivotal role in maintaining and optimizing the campus-wide network infrastructure, ensuring seamless connectivity for students, faculty, and staff.

Key Contributions:

🔹 Network Efficiency & Security: Spearheaded efforts to improve network performance and reliability, resulting in a 25% increase in network uptime and a significant reduction in security incidents. Implemented proactive monitoring and maintenance procedures to identify and resolve potential issues before they escalated.

🔹 Infrastructure Upgrade: Led the successful migration of the legacy network infrastructure to a more scalable and secure solution. This upgrade allowed the college to accommodate the growing number of devices and applications while providing a future-proof foundation for technological advancements.

🔹 Technical Support & Training: Provided exceptional technical support to the campus community, resolving network-related issues promptly and effectively. Additionally, conducted training sessions for faculty and staff to educate them on best practices for network usage and security, contributing to a more secure and informed user base.

🔹 Team Management: I led the team of over 10 IT/Network technicians. My role included ensuring optimal network performance, maintaining system security, and driving troubleshooting efforts. Fostering a collaborative environment, I empowered my team to manage daily technical challenges effectively and proactively. Our collective efforts guaranteed seamless connectivity for staff and students alike, contributing to an uninterrupted learning environment.

This formative experience at Baddi University laid the groundwork for my future success in technology leadership roles and further fueled my passion for innovation and excellence in the field of information technology.

Gurmat Parchar Trust

IT Operations Supervisor

J Comps

Computer System Administrator

Capital Computers

IT Tutor

I Add Value by Driving Cloud Strategy, Tech Leadership, AI/ML Innovation, & Information Security | Award-Winning CTO & CISO | Scaling Tech Teams & Transformative Solutions | Helping Businesses Win in Tech

As a dynamic, forward-thinking Technologist with over 20 years of experience in the tech industry, I have dedicated my career to drive business growth and technical strategy. My unwavering passion for technology and constant pursuit of excellence has led me to become a recognized industry leader in cloud computing, information security, software development, and technology leadership.

🔹 Technology Leadership:
Throughout my career, I have gained invaluable expertise in leading and mentoring high-performance teams in highly competitive environments. By fostering a culture of collaboration and open communication, I have consistently inspired my teams to achieve their best work, resulting in the successful delivery of numerous innovative products and services.

🔹 Cloud Computing & Architectures:
With a deep understanding of the transformative potential of cloud computing, I have spearheaded multiple initiatives to migrate legacy systems to cloud-based infrastructures, leveraging leading cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. These projects have resulted in significant cost savings, increased scalability, and improved operational efficiency for the organizations I have worked with.

🔹 Information Security:
As a staunch advocate for robust information security practices, I have developed and implemented comprehensive security policies, procedures, and technologies to protect sensitive data and ensure compliance with industry standards like SOC, HIPAA, and ISO 27001. 

🔹 Software Development:
A strong believer in the power of agile methodologies, I have advocated the adoption of Scrum, Kanban, and DevOps practices in various organizations. By embedding agile principles in every aspect of the software development process, I have helped teams to deliver high-quality software solutions that meet evolving customer needs while maintaining the flexibility to respond to changing market conditions.

🔹 Innovation & Strategy:
One of my core strengths is the ability to identify emerging technologies and trends and develop strategic roadmaps to harness their potential. By focusing on continuous improvement, I have fostered a culture of innovation that encourages experimentation & learning, ultimately leading to the development of ground-breaking products and services.

I am always eager to connect with like-minded professionals who share my passion for technology and innovation. Feel free to reach out to discuss collaboration opportunities, industry insights, or simply to expand our professional networks.
🔗 Let's connect and build the future together! 🔗

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