Bike

Creative Agencies

Fashion

Lifestyle

Moto & Powersports

Music

Outdoor

Snow

Streetwear

Health & Fitness

Graphic design

Camping

Travel

Philosophy

Photography

Coffee

Health and wellness

Entrepreneur, multi medium artist, musician, coffee roaster, branding
addict, creative strategist and lover of all things outdoors. Grassroots
and strategic methodology are at the core of my entrepreneurial
success. For the past 15 years I have championed brand identity,
marketing strategies, creative strategy, design, product development

and sales strategies spanning the outdoor industries, lifestyle clothing
brands and food and beverage products. I thrive on creative assets,
storytelling, branding and community initiatives. Most recently I have

sold my coffee roasting company after 8 years of scaling from a home
roasting operation, to a mobile cart, into 2 brick and mortar cafes with
online sales, subscription models and wholesale accounts across the
country. As I look to hop in my van and embark on a new adventure
both personally and professionally I hope to find the intersection of
my entrepreneurial skills alongside a unique and progressive brand to
positively impact both of us and to continue to educate and learn from
my peers along the way.

1. As the CEO and managing partner of ASHE, I was also the head
roaster, artist / graphic designer, marketing director, media / public

relations as well leading our wholesale and online sales operations and overall scalability.
2. Successfully scaled a home roasting operation into a mobile coffee
cart for hire and finally into 2 brick and mortar cafes, local and national wholesale accounts as well as an online subscription

service.
3. Awarded back to back "Best Of" coffee shops by HOUR Detroit first
two years in cafe operations starting in 2016 and won multiple top
3 roasting awards


4. Utilized my years of acquired skillsets from the ski and snowboard
sales industry to think outside the box, seek new lines and ways
camping, hiking, climbing, to approach branding, community building and overall sales and painting, graphic design, coffee, awareness. With a small team on average of 6-8 employees
fashion, guitar, art, vans/cars, between 2 small shops, we cleared $1M in revenue within 3
road trips, travel, woodworking, years, became a household name and synonymous with coffee in Detroit. While the pandemic nearly killed our business, we fought on and found support from the community we built and in that
support we were approached by a local brewery for which we have
recently sold the business to entirely as of 12/31/2021.

Co Founder / CEO

• GNAR Sales Independent Sales Agency: Represented (K2 Snowboards / Dragon Alliance / TREW Outerwear / KUU Wax)

1. Primary rep for brands covering the Great Lakes/Midwest territory
2. Implemented dynamic custom POP displays and indiviudal sales
contests/platforms for retail partners
3. Worked closely with each Corporate brand on product marketing
to develop and forecast future prodcut cycles
4. Worked closely with Corporate branding/marketing on reviewing
focus group feedback and strategic planning to align with market
trends
5. Increased brands recognition and sales for all brands by building
a cohesive story between each brands initiatives and ethos
6. Lead shop product clinics in store and at trade shows
7. Hosted on hill product demos for shop employees and consumer
demos
8. Sponsored local winter initiatives of schools, clubs and ski resorts
to better the winter sports experience

Founder / CEO

Independent Sales rep: Representing (K2 Skis / K2 Snowboards / K2 rollerbaldes)

1. Assisted Primary rep with brand growth in all territory sales
accounts and events
2. Managed and grew revenue of southern territory under the guidance of primary rep
3. Lead retail staff product clinics at shops and trade shows
4. Hosted on hill product demos for retail shops and consumer
demos
5. Lead consumer focus groups and product demos at national
conventions

Independent Associate Sales Rep, Great

Develop and design storyboard to capture and deliver customer experiences to internal and external affiliates including State
Attorney Generals
• Direct camera crews on site at Customer Outreach Events while borrowers apply for home modifications
• Initiate and conduct customer and employee interviews to passionately capture the customer experience
• Work with video editing staff for ChaseTV to bring storyboard to life in scope to further progress our customer gratification and experience at future events
• Responsible for internal and external communications regarding event material as well scripting clear and direct informational
flyers
• Manage non-profit events in accordance with Community
Outreach Vice President and project managers
• Work with Nonprofit Advisory Panel to generate idea flow to better
present and develop events
• Main focus is to work with our closest nonprofit relationships to effectively work our existing borrower pipelines.
• Manage on site at events as one of the Lead Event Coordinators

Customer Experience Marketing Manager, Columbus

1. Assisted Primary rep with territory sales accounts and events
2. Lead retail staff product clinics
3. Hosted on hill product demos for retail shops and consumer
demos

Tech Rep

1. Employee of the Year 2008/2009
2. Manage daily operations in accordance with Store Manager
3. Provide solutions to aid team flow and operations
4. Lead sales Associate with main focus in Skis/Snowboards

Assistant Manager

AJ Nichols is a Co Founder / CEO at ASHE Supply Co in Basalt, CO. View their experience, skills and work history on Malakye — the professional network for…

AJ Nichols — Co Founder / CEO at ASHE Supply Co — Basalt, CO

AJ Nichols

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