James Garton
CEO Amazon Global Growth
San Diego, CA
In My Own Words
Currently, my team and I consult foreign businesses in expanding their Amazon and online platform businesses into North American and other international markets, as well as guide domestic businesses and sellers in taking their business abroad. We regularly produce percentage increases in the hundreds and Dollar increases in the hundreds of thousands to millions. It is extremely gratifying. I encourage anyone interested to contact me. If we can help you we will, and if we cannot we will certainly point you in the correct direction.
As a global product, major client sales, and International Business veteran with more than 25 years of extremely diverse experience both in North America and abroad, I am prepared to share the knowledge and experience that I have gained for the benefit of others.
My experience spans a career encompassing international business development, major account sales, product development and sourcing, brand management, major retail buying, as well as Amazon / online platform business development. I've reached a high level of experience in many areas over the years and I find most of that experience useful in nearly every endeavor. I've taken businesses abroad and brought business into the North American market as well. I've worked with clients in 23 countries worldwide and manufactured or sourced products in 13 of them. My passion is building from the ground up and my forte's are negotiating, sourcing, business development, international market expansion, market forecasting and planning, private label product development, trend analysis, merchandising, category and assortment planning, team building and positive motivation... and I honestly enjoy working with people of other cultures. It is quite a privilege.
All that said, at this point in my career complete I hope to continue to give back. The volunteer work I've done has been extremely rewarding and if you haven't tried it, It can bring you an incomparable sense of worth and achievement.
Work Experience
CEO and Founder
Amazon Global Growth2016 – Present
Seller Platform Management | Brand Scaling | E-commerce | Soc Media/PPC | Global Expansion | Sourcing - Creating successful manufacturing clients by increasing online profits, with retail, and wholesale strategies. Introducing manufacturers into global markets without the major risks normally faced during expansion. And educating about product analysis, sourcing, creating, and producing successful products for unfamiliar markets.
Managing Director
J.S. Garton & Associates - Global Sourcing, Brand Development & Private Label Sales1991 – Present
Responsibilities include vendor and major account client development, product development & sourcing, production management, quality control, private label sales, contract negotiation, international brand management and market expansion. Operated offices in Biarritz Fr, Paris, San Sebastien, Elda Spain, Dongguan China, Shanghai China, New York (Soho showroom), Los Angeles and San Diego. • Sourced, negotiated and produced products worldwide for wholesale and retail clients in the US, Canada, Europe and Japan. • Created detailed US and European trend reports quarterly for clients, assisting them with future manufacturing requirements. • Produced private label product for retailers such as Nordstrom, Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, Target, Walmart, and a variety of vendors from Chanel to Skechers. • Organized annual exhibitions at US and International Trade Fairs Worldwide for more than 11 companies each year. • Opened offices in Paris, San Sebastian Spain, Elda Spain, Dongguan, Shanghai China, Los Angeles (Mart) and NY (Soho) Showrooms. • On contractual agreements opened US distributorships for brands; Dunlop Pacific, Red or Dead, Chaos (now Irregular Choice) and Allied Footwear.
Created product, sourced and managed production for US, European and Japanese brands. Coordinated investments, acquisitions, and negotiations of partnerships with multiple businesses. Developed relationships with the DOC staff in WDC as well as various US embassy officials abroad. Manufactured products while also representing products abroad for UK & Japanese clients. Organized trade exhibitions Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, China, HK, and the USA.
Director of Product Development
ToeSox2009 – 2012
Directed product development, sourcing and manufacturing while developing wholesale sales division. • Managed product development, production, merchandising, projections for retail and wholesale inventories. • Developed, introduced and wrote patent details for 5-Toe Yoga Sandal and subsequent ToeSox Inc. Sandal line. • Increased product lines significantly, leading to increased market share and substantial increase in volume, turn and overall profit. • Lead regular negotiations with the suppliers and manufacturers regarding agreements, quality control and consistent pricing. • Reached record sales level at retail, wholesale, and private label with (Gaiam, Target, Walmart and FootSmart). • Created budgets, organized and negotiated trade show exhibits from exhibit construction to sales and client attendance. • Recruited, hired and managed first domestic wholesale sales teams for designated ToeSox product categories. • Developed and sourced product in Chinese cities; Shanghai, Hangzhou, Haining, Dongguan, Shenzhen, Wenzhou, Xiamen.
Key Account Manager / Product Development
Mason Companies, Inc1999 – 2002
Product included: Slip Resistant, Police Tactical, Gov & Military, Wild Land Fire, and Safety Footwear. Client responsibilities included various key accounts, private label, wholesale and commercial. Using feedback from clients, created custom new products for the Commercial Product Division. Corrected PP samples, completed fit trials, and participated in sourcing and production. Collaborated with Marketing Director on marketing plans, materials, and commercial markets. Travel requirements of position acceded 70% both domestic and abroad (China). Other responsibilities included tech instruction of uniform clients and distributor sales teams. Division sold by Mason in 2002.
Buyer, Ladies Salon and Brass Plum (juniors)
Nordstrom1986 – 1992
Brass Plum Junior & Athletic Shoes, Ladies Salon Shoes, Nordstrom Rack, Men's Women's & Children's Shoes Promoted 4 times in 5 years, usually after gross margin results. Numerous monthly & annual awards including two record increases.
BUSINESS OWNERSHIP & INVESTMENTS: Netsource Wireless Inc. 3 wireless retail stores, with wholesale accessories business, (sold..). iDigitel Wireless Inc. chain of 9 wireless kiosks, free standing store in So. Cal Malls, (sold..). The Oxygen Bar, Nevada & LA oxygen & aroma therapy – 9 kiosks, incl distribution of device. Netsource Legal Investigations, legal case investigations, background, legal information, (sold..). Deadline Trading, (retail footwear & apparel), 2600 sq. ft. stores, San Diego, Westfield Malls. Tasteless Trader / Deadline Online: Website retail, Amazon, eBay, sales and fulfillment 9 years.
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