Kels Byus

Sales Strategist · Robert Talbott

Truckee, CA

In My Own Words

Experienced wholesale sales, management and strategic planning executive with global, mid-sized and start-up apparel brands. A strong leader and communicator, skilled in driving top-line sales growth and profitability, as well as developing and executing brand strategies, and managing and motivating multiple teams.

Proven abilities in wholesale sales, trend and sales analysis, creation of overall brand strategy and execution, multiple team management, product assortment development and product licensing. Results have included:

*Created and executed brand and sales strategy that doubled Arcade Belts top-line revenue from 2020 to 2022.

*Developed and led a team for the re-launch of the Ralph Lauren brand portfolio into Canada, while creating the overall strategy and assortment planning.

*Created and executed the wholesale and retail strategies, positioning the Tailgate brand for investment and ultimate sale to American Eagle Outfitters.

*Management of cross-functional teams in design, sales, production and operations.

*Entrepreneur, having planned and created two start-up apparel brands.

Over the course of my career, I have directed significant sales growth within both established and new territories and brands, as well as developed a skill for collaborating with and/or managing the cross-functional teams necessary for sustained, profitable brand growth.

Work Experience

Sales Director-West Coast

Robert Talbott

2025 – Present

Responsible for brand presence, strategy and sales on the West Coast. With a wholesale operations focus, Robert Talbott is re-launching this iconic brand through an omni-channel strategy that includes developing strong relationships with our retail partners, increasing brand visibility, and a strong digital presence.

Retirement

2022 – 2025

VP Sales

Arcade Belts

2020 – 2022

As Vice President Sales, created and led the brand and sales strategies over the course of nearly 3 years, leading to a doubling of the top-line sales revenue from 2019 to 2022. Brought creative data analysis and sales tracking visibility, allowing for increased and improved forecasting across all channels of distribution. Managed inventory to create faster turns through product assortment development, while driving total inventory levels more inline with sales and financial targets. Led wholesale, e-commerce and operations teams through peaks and valleys of pandemic and global supply chain issues. Introduced, onboarded and managed new licensing partners, resulting in additional sales growth and brand awareness.

President & Founder

Twin Forks Trading Co.

2017 – 2020

Collaborative-based, partnership-driven apparel company. Start-up apparel company created to partner with local, regional and state park systems, schools, artists and youth programs, all to 'localize' awareness through apparel and to give something back'. • Created business model, strategic plan and partnerships to launch brand in spring, 2017. • Manage and execute all aspects of the business, while being sole owner, without shareholders. • Create meaningful, mutually beneficial relationships and licensing agreements where apparel can deliver a prideful and wearble customer experience. • Doubled, annualized sales growth, and cashflow positive in first year of operation.

Sr. Vice President

Tailgate Clothing Co

2014 – 2017

Mid-sized apparel brand ready for growth. • Managed and directed sales, production and operations teams for wholesale, retail and eccomerce distribution channels. Responsible for planning, forecasts, & projections, with direct reports to CEO. • Developed the Retail Store Strategy, including assortments, sales projections, and management. • Positioned areas of management for future investment, ultimately resulting in the brand being purchased by American Eagle Outfitters in November of 2015.

VP of Sales

Tailgate Clothing Co

2012 – 2014

Sales of branded & NCAA licensed apparel. • Responsible for wholesale sales, with emphasis on rapid growth and expansion. Personally managed bulk of corporate accounts, while managing a team of independent/commission-based sales reps.. • Successfully built and executed re-launch plan for Tailgate Ecommerce. Website delivered in excess of $1M in 2016. Prior to re-launch, web revenue reached just $32K, 2011.

President/COO, Co-owner

Locally Grown Clothing Co

2009 – 2012

Start-up brand focused on the locally grown food movement. • Co-wrote business plan, raised seed capital, built brand strategy, established sourcing and fulfillment partners, created product assortment, and managed production, sales and website.

Sr. Account Executive

Polo Ralph Lauren Corp

2005 – 2009

Managed wholesale sales in Canada & US Midwest. • Hand-picked in 2005 to manage and direct the re-launch of the Ralph Lauren brand portfolio into Canada. Managed strategy, sales & assortment development, reporting to both 'President of Ralph Lauren Brands' and the Sr. VP on Menswear, US. And directed retail sales & merchandising teams.

Account Executive

Polo Ralph Lauren Corp

1999 – 2005

Responsible for wholesale sales, Specialty Store division, US Midwest. • Collaborated with planning, design & merchandising to develop product assortments to grow sales.

Regional Director

Polo Ralph Lauren Corp

1995 – 1999

In-store training on product knowledge and standards. • Partnered with Account Executives to build product assortments. Directed RL shop installations.