Jesse W. Cole

*** **** **** ****** *** York, NY *0014 917-***-**** ad4mx6@r.postjobfree.com

Profile: Private Equity Partner CEO

Inspiring, highly visible leader with 11+ years of raising private equity investments, launching successful start-ups, and expanding existing businesses into international industry leaders.

Notable career marked by positioning businesses for and executing liquidity events, including private equity investments, acquisitions, and divestitures.

Consumer-facing brand advisor who champions organizational vision and mission through passionate immersion into the brand, design, industry, and market, as well as thoughtful, thorough, and organized business planning.

Adept at engaging all stakeholders from hourly staff to C-suite executives via an inclusive, collaborative process. Hands-on approach to hiring at all organizational levels to ensure sustainable cultures.

Board leadership as member of Board of Directors for Naked Brand Group, Goodlife Clothing, and Ronald McDonald House; elected member of Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO).

Named to New York Observer 20 Under 40 (2014) and Crain’s 40 Under Forty (2013).

Professional Experience

Design + Industry, LLC – New York, NY 2015 – Present

President and CEO

Established and direct business representing CFDA award-winning designers and industry-leading talent across multiple product categories, including fashion, fine jewelry, footwear, beauty, fine art, and pop culture. Lead team of seven direct reports. Serve as advisor to consumer and apparel brands.

Notable Accomplishments:

Launched this start-up business in September 2015 to achieve 100% YoY growth rate.

Created four separate verticals including apparel licensing, staffing, celebrity management, and media/literary.

Built investor deck through networking, research, negotiations, and investment banking advisory.

Haute Hippie LLC – New York, NY 2012 – 2015

CEO and Financier

Restructured business into a global preeminent women’s fashion brand with presence in Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Shopbop.com, Intermix, Scoop, net-a-porter.com, and specialty stores worldwide. Directed all operations, encompassing executive management, finance, marketing, branding, vendor relations, supply chain, offshore sourcing (China and India), design, and manufacturing. Developed and motivated high-performing team of 65 top tier talent. Collaborated with legal advisors and served on Board of Directors.

Notable Accomplishments:

Expanded business into global markets with strong name recognition and reputation as an international lifestyle brand by selling into more than 30 U.S. states and 55+ countries including Australia, Canada, and several European nations.

Raised private equity funding to build brick and mortar locations, expand business into new categories, and elevate brand identity. Opened five new retail stores in less than three years.

Grew business to exceed financial goals with $35M in annual revenue at peak of operations.

Solicited, structured, and negotiated 10% private equity investment from David Bonderman, founder of TPG. Additionally, orchestrated sale of the business.

Merlin, Inc. – New York, NY 2009 – 2012

Senior Partner and Executive Committee Member

Joined Merlin Securities to form equity sales coverage and content division, Merlin Institutional Group, to augment and expand Merlin’s existing agency trading capabilities. Built and led 15-member team of institutional sales traders, traders, research analysts, and strategists.

Notable Accomplishment:

Created high-performing institutional sales and trading division that grew to generate approximately 15% of the company’s total annual net revenue. Performance led to sale to Wells Fargo for high multiple.

Schonfeld IBS, Inc. – New York, NY 2007 – 2009

Founder and Head of Institutional Sales and Trading Group

Built and operated institutional sales and trading group specializing in hedge funds and U.S. equity markets. Recruited, assembled, and led team of 29 industry professionals.

Notable Accomplishments:

Established and grew this start-up business into a multimillion-dollar company and highly regarded execution platform.

Structured, negotiated, and closed sale of business to Merlin Institutional.

Additional Experience:

Pali Capital – Institutional Sales Trader, International and Domestic Accounts

ISI Group – Sales Associate under Ed Hyman

Education

Columbia University, Columbia Business School

Master of Science (MS) in Real Estate Development and Finance, Pending Thesis Assignment

Cornell University

Bachelor of Science (BS) in Sociology

Board Leadership

Board Member, Naked Brand Group, Inc.

Board Member, Goodlife Clothing, Inc.

Elected Member, Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO)

Board Member and Past Chairman of Board of Associates, Ronald McDonald House

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