nick gausling 2

About Me

Location
Texas, USA
Languages
English

If you’re a startup founder, small business owner, or executive, it can be difficult to find unbiased, competent advice. Organizational politics, competitive pressures, a challenging economy, and the weight of responsibility to your employees, investors, and community can all put you in a lonely place as you try to succeed in a constantly-changing business landscape.

My goal is to be your business consigliere, helping you to solve your business challenges and achieve your aspirations. I have been a founder, investor, small business owner, and an executive in both small and large organizations, including as the right-hand advisor to the CEO of a small company under $10MM and to a major corporate division head running a $1B+ business unit. I can help you refine your strategies, improve your processes, tighten up your finances, strengthen your teams, and ultimately build a stronger business.

If you have dreamed of a strategic thought partner and advisor who can help align all your business functions toward growth, let’s have a conversation.

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 5.00 rating from 8 reviews
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Experience

Recent Work

MISSION-DRIVEN LEADERSHIP

  • Optimized $700MM P&L as de facto Division Chief of Staff and Division CFO, and $1B+ P&L as de facto Division Chief of Staff.
  • Oversaw business development research and innovation program management for organization controlling ~25% of U.S. market share.
  • Built technology by partnering with a company rated #1 by the New York Times to develop a breakthrough app, rolled out in December 2021.

OPERATIONAL TURNAROUND EXPERTISE

  • Co-led companies from startups / small businesses up to large corporate divisions with between ~600-900 facilities and ~2,000 employees.
  • Helped architect and pilot contactless retail program to stem revenue losses during COVID.
  • Key contributor in transforming enterprise from bankruptcy filing to record profitability and public readiness in 3 years, from nine-figure EBITDA loss to +~$900MM EBITDA improvement with $4.4B in sales.

TOP & BOTTOM-LINE IMPACT

  • Orchestrated a 2-month test that led to ~$2.5MM in incremental sales, annualized at ~$16MM.
  • Elevated revenue save rate by 42% in only 30 days, attaining an annualized run rate of more than $2MM and preserving ~$30K lifetime value per customer. Set team on a growth path towards a revenue recapture run rate of more than $10MM in incremental sales.
  • Bolstered skyrocketing of revenue by ~$40MM+ YoY with EBITDA surge of ~$40MM+.

Qualifications

Education & Professional Development

  • Certificate in Leadership & Management (The Wharton School – University of Pennsylvania)
  • Digital Innovation Strategy & Management program (Booth School of Business – University of Chicago)
  • Master of Arts – Classical Studies (Knox Theological Seminary)
  • Bachelor of Arts – History (University of Nevada, Las Vegas)

Notable Career History

Mattress Firm (2018 – 2022)

Largest specialty bedding retailer in the United States.

Roles held:

  • Director of Omnichannel Innovation & Research
  • Director of Omnichannel Optimization
  • Division Director of Field Optimization (de facto Division Chief of Staff)
  • Division Director of Strategy & Analytics (de facto Division Chief of Staff & Division CFO)

Emerald Risk Solutions (2014 – 2018)

Boutique venture capital, financial planning, and insurance firm.

Roles held:

  • Co-Founder & Managing Partner

Real Water (2013 – 2015)

Nationally-distributed premium CPG beverage manufacturer.

Roles held:

  • Chief of Staff
  • External Affairs Manager

Various other organizations (2011 – present)

Roles held:

  • Board Member
  • Committee Vice Chair
  • Subcommittee Chair
  • Executive Director
  • Co-Founder
  • Vice President
  • Advisor
  • Investor

Knowledge Areas Knowledge Areas are the business domains and areas, or specialties, with which consultants, partners, and experts are most familiar.

Industries These are the industries and sectors in which consultants, partners, and experts have demonstrated knowledge and experience.

Recent Work

MISSION-DRIVEN LEADERSHIP

  • Optimized $700MM P&L as de facto Division Chief of Staff and Division CFO, and $1B+ P&L as de facto Division Chief of Staff.
  • Oversaw business development research and innovation program management for organization controlling ~25% of U.S. market share.
  • Built technology by partnering with a company rated #1 by the New York Times to develop a breakthrough app, rolled out in December 2021.

OPERATIONAL TURNAROUND EXPERTISE

  • Co-led companies from startups / small businesses up to large corporate divisions with between ~600-900 facilities and ~2,000 employees.
  • Helped architect and pilot contactless retail program to stem revenue losses during COVID.
  • Key contributor in transforming enterprise from bankruptcy filing to record profitability and public readiness in 3 years, from nine-figure EBITDA loss to +~$900MM EBITDA improvement with $4.4B in sales.

TOP & BOTTOM-LINE IMPACT

  • Orchestrated a 2-month test that led to ~$2.5MM in incremental sales, annualized at ~$16MM.
  • Elevated revenue save rate by 42% in only 30 days, attaining an annualized run rate of more than $2MM and preserving ~$30K lifetime value per customer. Set team on a growth path towards a revenue recapture run rate of more than $10MM in incremental sales.
  • Bolstered skyrocketing of revenue by ~$40MM+ YoY with EBITDA surge of ~$40MM+.

Education & Professional Development

  • Certificate in Leadership & Management (The Wharton School – University of Pennsylvania)
  • Digital Innovation Strategy & Management program (Booth School of Business – University of Chicago)
  • Master of Arts – Classical Studies (Knox Theological Seminary)
  • Bachelor of Arts – History (University of Nevada, Las Vegas)

Notable Career History

Mattress Firm (2018 – 2022)

Largest specialty bedding retailer in the United States.

Roles held:

  • Director of Omnichannel Innovation & Research
  • Director of Omnichannel Optimization
  • Division Director of Field Optimization (de facto Division Chief of Staff)
  • Division Director of Strategy & Analytics (de facto Division Chief of Staff & Division CFO)

Emerald Risk Solutions (2014 – 2018)

Boutique venture capital, financial planning, and insurance firm.

Roles held:

  • Co-Founder & Managing Partner

Real Water (2013 – 2015)

Nationally-distributed premium CPG beverage manufacturer.

Roles held:

  • Chief of Staff
  • External Affairs Manager

Various other organizations (2011 – present)

Roles held:

  • Board Member
  • Committee Vice Chair
  • Subcommittee Chair
  • Executive Director
  • Co-Founder
  • Vice President
  • Advisor
  • Investor

Videos

Interview with Nick Gausling
Interview with Nick Gausling, Trusted Advisor & Strategist
Introducing Nick Gausling
Meet Nick, your Cansultant

Nick's Store

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Reviews

  • Terry G
    5 out of 5

    –

    As I seek to sell the company that I founded almost 30 years ago, Nick's advice has been invaluable. His due diligence work helped me understand the valuation, identify what my options are, and what practical steps I should take to prepare my business for these major changes. Thank you, Nick, for all your help.

  • Jordan F
    5 out of 5

    –

    He is incredibly intelligent and reliable. His ability to challenge status quos and assist with strategic vision while giving quality input to multiple departments is impressive.

  • Christopher C
    5 out of 5

    –

    Nick is one of the most intelligent partners I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. His business acumen is unmatched and the pure breadth of his knowledge is impressive. There isn’t a problem he hasn’t been able to meet head on.

  • Doug S
    5 out of 5

    –

    Nick is one of the most professional and personable individuals I know who can also deliver on promises. He is adept at gaining working knowledge of the industries he works in, and he has a business savvy that is one I've come to count on, even outside of our formal working relationship.

  • Ryan P
    5 out of 5

    –

    Nick is a very intelligent businessman. In my time as CEO of the catering company MyWay Meals LLC Nick’s advice helped me revise my logistic capacity from local to national reach. His expertise in finance, logistics, and operations was invaluable. I would highly recommend Nick for any business that is ready to scale to the next level.

  • Jesse Law
    5 out of 5

    –

    Nick’s attention to detail, holistic understanding of scenarios, and expertise on a wide array of matters impacting businesses is why I continue to return seeking his guidance. It’s his integrity and willingness to understand the entirety of the matter. If in a rare circumstance, Nick doesn’t have the answer or experience, he is willing to say so. Over the years, I have come to respect Nick and rely on his opinion with business and what to look for when entering partnerships or acquisitions.

  • Anthony R
    5 out of 5

    –

    Nick consistently delivered top-tier strategic value to my department and the entire company. When I later started my own businesses, Nick’s advice was invaluable in helping me to navigate challenges and finding ways to succeed.

  • Thomas P
    5 out of 5

    –

    Without question, Nick Gausling's contribution to the NE team was invaluable. He is still a consistent source of information and inspiration. Nick brought a large cache of financial acumen and was able to easily transfer his knowledge to the team. Under his mentorship, we were able to learn how make financial assumptions to benefit our company. Nick was able to teach large groups of District Managers effectively and his personal one on one mentorship was highly coveted within the company.

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