Bryan Bootka, MBA

Vice President of Business Development @ VP Solution

About

You built a product worth selling. But retail is a different game, and most first-time founders lose money learning that the hard way.Brands with monthly revenue at or trending towards $100,000 hire us to give them the best chance to get on the shelves of the right retailers. When the founder is unsure of the next steps to expand in retail or can no longer do it all, they bring us on board as their VP of Sales for less than the cost of an entry-level regional manager.Whether you are going from Clicks-to-Bricks or want to avoid the pitfalls first-time entrepreneurs face in the CPG industry, we are here to serve you.Schedule Your Free Call Now! https://link.localsmbcenter.com/widget/bookings/bryan-bootka-personal-calendar-gys-xwf98You need a VP of Sales to grow your brand in retail, but finding a qualified candidate within your budget feels like an impossible task. With VP Solution’s fractional VP of Sales service, you not only get a proven sales leader but a whole team that will save you money and get your brand in front of the right retailers.We believe you deserve a proven leader at a fraction of the cost. We understand how precious your time and money are, which is why I am committed to being your VP of Sales, being within your budget, and aligned with your company values.Here’s how we do it: 1. Schedule a free exploratory call2. We develop your "Roadmap to Retail"3. Your Brand Grows Coast to Coast and You Focus on Your Businesshttps://link.localsmbcenter.com/widget/bookings/bryan-bootka-personal-calendar-gys-xwf98

Country

United States

City

Round Rock

Industry

Food Production

Skill

Board Level, Strategic Planning, Brand Strategy, Marketing Strategy, Project Management, Team Building, Nonprofit Organizations, New Business Development, Marketing, Sales Management, Sales Operations, Product Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Retail, Sales, Grocery, Consumer Products, Product Development, Merchandising, Food

Experience

Vice President of Business Development

VP Solution

2017-3 - Present · 9 yrs 7 mos

Round Rock, TX

▪Securing placement in Central Market, Fresh Thyme, iHerb, Sprouts, Target, Whole Foods Market, Albertsons, Kroger, NEXCOM, AAFES, etc. ▪Get brands retail-ready, including margin reviews, new item presentation kit, trade spend, and market expansion planning. ▪Getting emerging brands on shelves since 1995. ▪Distributor management ▪Brands: Aufschnitt Meats, Nikita Green, Buttermints, DreamSpell3D, HerbaLand, P-nuff Crunch!, KÄZE Cheese, MADEOF, & More

Vice President of Business Development

Messaging That Works

2022-12 - Present · 3 yrs 10 mos

Round Rock, TX

▪Clear messaging creates engaged consumers. Without clarity, customers go elsewhere. ▪If you don't have a wait list for your brand, does your messaging really work?

Board Member

New Life | Austin

2014-2 - 2021-1 · 7 yrs

Austin, Texas Area

President & Board Memeber

Ultima Health Products, Inc

2014-9 - 2017-3 · 2 yrs 7 mos

Cortland, OH

▪Achieved profitability in my inaugural year, ending 12 years of losses. Closed 2016 with revenue of $4,250,000 and a net income of 8%, with projected sales exceeding $7,000,000 in 2017. ▪Secured 4,000+ new points of distribution in key retailers such as Fresh Thyme, NCG, Sprouts, Vitamin Shoppe, and Whole Foods. ▪ Identified and rectified UPC errors, increasing margins and ensuring regulatory compliance. ▪ Transitioned from a direct-to-store to a distributor model, enhancing replenishment efficiency. ▪ Led product rebranding and reformulation to boost competitiveness.

Board Member

Against the Odds Mentoring Services

2011-1 - 2017-3 · 6 yrs 3 mos

Greater St. Louis Area

National Sales Manager

Himalaya Wellness USA

2012-4 - 2014-9 · 2 yrs 6 mos

Sugar Land, Texas

▪ Led Sales Team of 67: 14 Direct Reports - Eastern Regional Sales Manager, Inside Sales, 8 Brokers, 3 Direct Reps, and Senior Sales Coordinator ▪ Led Sales Growth of 21% in 2012, 34% in 2013, and 28% Aug 2014 ▪ Started the transition from Regional Brokers to Direct Sales Force ▪ Developed processes for Category Reviews, Key Account Development, & Promotional Planning ▪ Collaborated with the team to develop education & sales training

Director of HBC - Whole Foods Team

Acosta

2006-11 - 2012-3 · 5 yrs 5 mos

Austin, Texas Area

▪ Responsible for $50,000,000 in retail sales @ Whole Foods ▪ Responsible for 20+ brands (Aura Cacia, Emergen-C, etc.) ▪ Led Whole Body Account Manager Team for NS Sales ▪ Account Manager for Whole Foods Global Whole Body Team ▪ Client Services Director – Aura Cacia & Schiff ▪ Account Manager for HEB Healthy Living and Central Market ▪ Whole Foods Business Manager for HBC and Grocery Clients

Sunday School & Children's Ministry Director

New Life | Austin

2007-1 - 2011-6 · 4 yrs 6 mos

Austin, Texas Area

▪ Facilitated the consolidation of three separate ministries into one (Children's Church, Sunday School, and Vacation Bible School). ▪ Oversaw the KidSpace Director (Children's Church), Vacation Bible School Director, Christmas Drama Director, and Sunday School Superintendents (Toddler - 6th). ▪ Worked with more than 40 volunteers on a regular basis to ensure our church's 150 + students aged 2 1/2 through 6th grade were ministered to in an effective manner.

Key Account Manager

Better Being Co.

2005-11 - 2006-10 · 1 yr

▪ Managed Whole Foods and Wild Oats (Sun Harvest) in Texas and Louisiana.

Co-Founder & President

Gram's Gourmet

2002 - 2004 · 2 yrs

▪ Helped raise funding for start-up. ▪ Responsible for all distribution and sales activities. ▪ Helped develop new products from idea to production, including the sourcing of raw materials, packaging, and selection of co-packers for items not made in-house.