“Jim lead this quiet little company (Vermont’s Original/Bag Balm), which had historically been doing business in a very outdated fashion and had not experienced any growth in many years, and turned it into a growth engine during the years of his tenure. He modernized how the company went to market, eliminating the old distributor network and working direct with retailers. The company began marketing their brand and telling their iconic story. Innovation began coming and it allowed us in sales to expand the customer base as well as areas in the store. The marketing drove incremental sales on the base items, paving the way for distribution on the new. This is growth the retailers had been seeking for many years. Because of Jim’s leadership, we were able to double my customers, CVS’ and Tractor Supply’s, business, both by organic growth as well as new distribution.”
Brian Schaeffer (Partner, The Emerson Group)
“I have worked with Jim Kelly for 3 years. Jim developed a strategy to basically re-launch Bag Balm, a 100 year old brand that was in decline. His insights enabled us to gain distribution with Walmart in 2 different departments as well as several other major mass volume retailers. The brand has doubled in volume in the last 3 years and is still on a dramatic upward trend. Jim provided great leadership not only with his business plan but by also learning the various nuances required to be successful with major retailers in today’s market. He is a man of integrity and I would recommend him with the highest level of confidence.”
Daryl Beck (Walmart Lead, The Emerson Group)
“We were searching for someone to help us develop a strategic plan and launch a new brand in consumer skincare, and we were incredibly fortunate to be introduced to Jim Kelly. Jim helped us take a deep dive into understanding how our company’s unique differentiation could be applied to bring value to prestige skincare. He guided us through concept development, brand building, and the eventual launch of a groundbreaking product line. Throughout everything, Jim was professional, level-headed, very wise, and a reliable guiding hand. He brought true value to our endeavors and we couldn’t have done it without him!”
Andrea Nye, CEO Xylyx Bioactives, Inc.
“Jim came aboard our team as a consulting COO/CMO. He has extensive experience in the consumer products industry in all facets from business development through product launch and beyond. Jim has helped our team navigate in a competitive market through solid leadership and keen foresight. His vast rolodex of connections in the consumer goods industry allows him to draw upon and connect all the dots to build and maintain a successful and sustainable business. Jim’s professional demeanor lends itself well to presenting to industry leaders and he never ceases to amaze me with his uniquely sharp idioms! He has been a great addition to the ScentTech family!”
Zisha Aboff, CEO ScentTech Global, Inc.
“Jim is a very successful business, operations, and marketing leader in the consumer product space. His broad scope of knowledge and experience enables him to develop accurate business assessments and deliver very effective strategic action plans. Jim’s passionate approach to the business inspires his organization to embrace change and challenge existing norms, resulting in superior business processes that drive sales growth and financial performance.”
Wayne Sokoly, Founder & President, Pharmaceutical Operations Strategies LLC
“Jim is an impressive executive who exudes confidence, fortified by a robust skill set encompassing 360 degrees of business. Within days of engaging him, he had mapped out actionable plans to significantly expand our presence in retail, complete with full P&L’s required for the undertaking. I have come to know Jim to be precise, accountable, decisive, action-oriented and a person of great integrity. I would be delighted to work with Jim again in any capacity or recommend him without hesitation.”
Tom French, CEO Zoono U.S.A.
“Jim is the ultimate business leader. He has a unique combination of traits and skills, such as unflappable personal integrity, strategic vision, creative problem solving, consumer focus and team leadership skills, which make him among the best the business world has to offer. Throughout his career Jim has built many brands and businesses, and perhaps more importantly he has helped develop those around him by generously serving as a mentor, advisor, and friend. Quite simply, Jim is a world class executive and person.”
David Rosenfeld, Chief Operating Officer, Focus Cameras
“Classically trained, Entrepreneurial, Decisive, Team Builder. These are all descriptors of Jim and what makes him an exceptional marketer. As a client, Jim allowed for a true Client/Agency partnership. When the time came to make a decision Jim made the call based on facts and intuition. He never used research as a safety net for making a decision but more as an aide to making the decision. One of the best marketers I’ve worked with during my almost 40 years in the business.”
Jim Friedman, Former COO, Carafiello Diehl & Associates Advertising
“Jim is a talented consumer products leader who brings a strong sense of purpose, collaboration and passion to any senior management team. He has a penchant for molding diverse points-of-view into cohesive strategies and action plans, thereby maximizing the potential for business success. Jim also has a high innovation IQ when it comes to both products and processes, and is unafraid to drive change where appropriate.”
Mark Pettie, Former Chairman and CEO, Prestige Brands
“Jim has a razor sharp mind that is keenly suited for business general management and new product innovation. He’s results-focused, while ensuring that he gets the right things done right. I have known Jim for many years and recommend him highly, both as an excellent business leader and as an extremely talented collaborator.”
Michael Fruhling, Founder/CEO BFS Innovations, Inc.
Business Vision Consulting Group, LLC 