JOHN PARROS
Igniting Breakthrough Growth Through Innovation, Creativity, Leadership and Business Acumen Los Angeles, CA 90069 917-***-**** **********@*****.*** linkedin.com/in/john-parros-8602669 Global C-Level Executive with expertise in retail, luxury brands and consumer products who possesses a proven ability to identify and capitalize on market and internal opportunities to drive strong contributions to revenue, profit, and shareholder value. Experience ranges from launching start-up businesses, turning around underperforming operations, and propelling top- and bottom-line results for legendary retailers through organic growth and acquisitions. Inspiring leader with a reputation for building cultures of engagement, collaboration and enthusiasm; trusted advisor and subject matter expert who forges business partnerships based on a foundation of industry expertise, ethics and integrity. Global experience spans the Americas, Canada, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Start-Up Operations—Identified market opportunity and created, developed and launched new young designer collection, Clover Canyon, using advanced technology (computer art and digital fabric printing) to produce modern prints on fabrics at affordable prices. Propelled annual revenue in four years to $25M with net income of 30%
($7M+). Generated international sales that accounted for 40% of business. Production Optimization—Faced with stiff competition at Bebe Stores, spearheaded initiative to significantly reduce timelines across the creative process, production, merchandising and transportation. Broke down silos and transformed organizational structure to collaborative cross-functional teams. Slashed timeline from design to in- store presentation from five months to three, propelling sales from -8% to positive +18% with net income improvement of 15%.
M&A / Post-Merger Growth Initiatives—Participated in analyzing prospective acquisitions and executed post- acquisition integrations to leverage synergies and collaboration. Created leadership teams comprised of top managers for all product areas across all operating divisions to create strategies, guidelines and plans. Increased same-store sales performance 3% to 5% annually and improved margins a whole basis point. Propelled growth of private brands from $350M to $700M and overall company growth from $1B to $6B during tenure. Executive Qualities That Deliver Company And Shareholder Value Strategic Planning
P&L Accountability
Finance / Budgeting
Teambuilding and Leadership
Supply Chain Optimization
Worldwide Distribution
M&As / Change Management
Design and Merchandising
Product Development/Planning
Sales Management
Marketing / Branding
eCommerce
Project Management
Store Design / Construction
Sourcing
Contracts / Licensing
Operations Management
HR and Legal Affairs
Product Innovation
Turnarounds
Startups and Scaling
Revenue and Profit Optimization
Cost Containment
Communications / Presentations
Optimizing Top- and Bottom- Line Results Through Vision, Strategy And Impeccable Execution WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY, Morgantown, WV 2018 - Present Special Assistant to the President—tasked with WVU Forward marketing strategies and building design Executive in Residence / MBA Marketing Professor
JOHN PARROS ENTERPRISES, Los Angeles 2003 – Present Subject Matter Expert / Consultant (2003–Present)
Retained by US and global consultancies such as Gerson Lehrman Group, Bureaux (London); and Guidepoint Global Advisors to advise on, design, branding, marketing, merchandising, sourcing, licensing and turnarounds for leading global brands.
Co-Founder / CEO—Clover Canyon Inc. (2011–2017)
Analyzed apparel market, identified unmet need, and launched affordable young designer collection, leveraging computer produced art and digitally printed fabric.
Designed and produced all merchandise in Los Angeles and opened offices in NY and Paris.
Sold to marquee stores throughout the Americas, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Australia and Asia, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom’s, Bloomingdales, Bon Marche, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, and Lane Crawford, with international sales delivering 40% of revenue.
Propelled growth to $25M with net income of $7M within four years.
Launched eCommerce website and marketing campaign that delivered $2M in incremental revenue.
Produced fashion shows in New York and presentations during Fashion Week in Paris, Milan, and London. Co-Founder / CEO—Dream Daily (2010–2016)
Created and produced moderately priced apparel collection for Anthropologie and Target CEO—R’Novate Inc. (2009-2011)
Initially retained as consultant to turnaround underperforming Los Angeles designer apparel company, became CEO within several months and acquired 50% ownership. Held full P&L accountability with six direct reports. R’Novate Inc. became Clover Canyon Inc. in 2011.
Transformed 75% decline to profitability within 18 months marketing upscale luxury brands Rozae Nichols, Ian, and Rozae.
Expert Witness (2008–2010)
Retained by premiere law firm as industry expert to review 45K documents for $1B breach of contract case, playing critical part in winning lawsuit.
Founder / CEO—Sophea Parros (2003–2009)
Launched lifestyle concept stores offering apparel, shoes, accessories, and fragrances. BEBE STORES INC., Brisbane, CA 2000 - 2002
$350M women’s retailer with 167 stores, eCommerce, 11 global stores and three product licenses. President, Chief Operating Officer
Recruited to execute company turnaround from double-digit declining sales to profitability and sustainable growth. Held full P&L accountability across all day-to-day operations including merchandising, design, production, planning, marketing, stores, eCommerce, licensing, finance, HR, legal and distribution. Reported directly to Chairman and CEO, managing eight direct reports and 2700 employees. Traveled ~50%.
Stemmed decline within six months and transformed sales from negative 8% to +18%; with net income increase of 15% in under a year. Slashed SG&A expenses from 34% to 30%.
Reduced average product lead-time from five months to three months and created new lifestyle merchandising concept that restored company to financial health; realized stock increase from $10 to as high as $36.
Opened 51 new stores throughout the US totaling 200K sq. ft. and executed leases, design and construction of 60 additional sites.
Built new distribution center in Northern California expanding available space from 32K sq. ft. to 115K sq. ft.; moved design and production offices to Los Angeles.
Re-developed eCommerce business/site, increasing sales 300%. SAKS INCORPORATED (formerly Proffitt’s Inc.), New York 1994 – 1999 Fortune 1000 operator of high-end department stores. Executive Vice President—SAKS Inc. (1997–1999)
Promoted to corporate office, following multiple acquisitions, to direct merchandising and marketing for $4.1B company with six operating divisions, 250 stores with 20K+ employees. Traveled 75% throughout the US, Europe and Asia to work with division presidents, executive teams and top designer companies.
Managed $400M marketing budget and $700M of private brand programs.
Implemented $80M core visual concepts for store layout, presentation, fixtures, and vendor shops.
Drove 3% to 5% annually growth and increased yearly margins I point.
Spearheaded major marketing campaigns to drive brand image, ultimately reaching one out of three US households through TV, direct mail and other promotional channels.
Played key role in providing platform for continued growth to $6B through acquisitions. Participated in due diligence process on prospective targets; executed post-acquisition integration. Executive Vice President—Younkers Division, De Moines, IA (1995–1996) Senior Vice President/General Merchandise Manager—Younkers Division De Moines, IA (1994–1995) Early Experience
Vice President—Filene's, Boston, MA
Divisional Merchandise Manager—Macy's, New York, NY Vice President, Sales & Marketing—Pant-Her/College Town, New York, NY Education
BSBA— West Virginia University
Publications / Speaking Engagement—details upon request Delivered Wall Street Presentations on behalf Bebe and Saks Spoke at numerous industry conferences and events
Interviewed and featured in several industry publications Recently featured in West Virginia University School of Business and Economics magazine: “John Parros, The Art of Business In the Fashion and Retail Industry.
International Experience
Travelled extensively throughout the world on behalf of various retailers and brands. Planned and executed numerous fashion shows at leading “fashion weeks” worldwide. Met with designers, retailers, peers, etc.