D. Paul Budlong

Scaling merchandising operations for enterprise retailers by replacing manual planning with automated, SKU-level decisioning. Partnering with retail leaders to drive 3-5% profitability increases by optimizing inventory positioning across high-volume merchandising and planning teams. Focusing on immediate speed-to-value with implementations that move brands from reactive spreadsheets to real-time margin optimization in just a few months.

Spokbee is transforming how manufacturers visually configure, price, and sell complex products online. I joined as the company’s first sales hire to lead all go-to-market efforts, from outbound strategy to revenue execution. • Building the outbound strategy targeting mid-market manufacturers with complex quoting needs • Leading discovery, consultative sales, and early-stage pipeline development • Collaborating with the founder to shape messaging and refine sales positioning • Managing both short-cycle deals and strategic enterprise conversations • Developing systems for pipeline forecasting, CRM structure, and post-sale handoff

Zidy is transforming how local businesses engage with their customers. Our AI-powered platform seamlessly integrates reviews, SMS messaging, and payments, empowering businesses to enhance customer satisfaction and boost revenue. ● Booked 41 qualified sales appointments in my first month ● Recruited and built a startup SaaS sales and support team of two to fifteen people, including hiring an off-shore SDR team directly, resulting in 10x revenue. ● Established and executed a comprehensive Partnership Program with prominent business associations, boosting market presence and generating 300+ qualified leads within the first quarter of implementation. ● Took charge of the SDR team: implemented KPIs, led daily sales meetings, one-on-ones, and motivated individuals through effective coaching, personalized development, and team encouragement, boosting opportunities by 50%.

Demand Generation, Thought Leadership, and Market Insight ● Booked and won a $1.5M ARR contract as the lead BDR for Google Cloud Security on New Year's Eve, commissioning a case study highlighting the client's successful partnership and revenue impact. ● Top BDR performer in generating new logos and revenue for ViB, a technology solutions company focused on demand generation for tech enterprises. ● Drove pipeline growth by developing messaging that resonated with IT, Security, and Marketing stakeholders across mid-market to enterprise accounts. ● Supported Account Executives by qualifying opportunities and providing detailed discovery notes, contributing to shortened sales cycles and higher win rates. ● Collaborated cross-functionally with Marketing and Customer Success to improve campaign targeting and customer engagement.

Account Executive: prospecting to closing: top 5% in sales. I also ran operations, recruiting, and PR. I started here on the sales floor. ● 95% of new business was one call closes, selling social media marketing campaigns. ● One call closed 7 ad campaigns in one day, a company record. ● Executed cold-calling campaigns targeting SMBs across the US, Canada, the Caribbean, and Mexico; achieved 135% of sales quota by delivering high-impact sales techniques. ● Exceeded recurring revenue targets by 40% by setting proper customer expectations

Annual Big Wave surfing competition in Oregon. My primary role is sponsor acquisitions: local, national and international. Labor of love.

Advertising Sales, top 5%. Worked my way to Sales Manager while maintaining a book of business.