about us
A Commitment to Serve. A Passion to Succeed
MadeToOrder specializes in the development; sourcing and sales of
logo branded merchandise and apparel and is owned and operated by senior sales
executives who bring an average of 15 plus years' experience in corporate
promotional products.
We are passionate about our client relationships, attuned to their
needs, and highly motivated to find the best possible solution to their
problems. We deliver high-touch, super creative, ultra-responsive service that
is intended to help our clients shine. The people you deal with are the firm.
It matters to us.
Having spent the majority of our careers as commissioned account
executives serving Fortune 1000 companies, we are expert at managing the
inevitable challenges of our business and making critical decisions on behalf
of our clients. We have the experience and industry savvy to guide you
seamlessly through generating ideas, identifying products, applying design,
converting artwork, managing logistics and delivering a successful product
on-time and on-budget.
Our goal is to develop long-term relationships with our partner
accounts and support their marketing campaigns.
Barbara
Brown, Pleasanton, CA
CEO
925-484-0600 x111
barbara@madetoorder.com
Armed with a degree in Business Marketing from Bradley University
and a number of years experience as a fashion buyer at Spiegel Catalog, Inc.,
Barbara made her way west to California from her Midwestern roots. Barbara
recognized an opportunity to bring more fashion into the Promotional Products
Arena and began to prepare for the launch of a new firm focused on a higher
caliber client and more forward and current offering. Barbara Brown was a co
founder of the Harwood Company in 1989 and helped guide both the finances and
the creative of that firm as it grew revenue from $800,000 to $13 million. She
was integral in the operational and control challenges facing the firm through
this growth. Barbara was the lead on the migration of the company's move
through 3 different billing and GL programs, always trying to deliver more
pertinent data and a lower transaction cost. Barbara worked closely with her
husband and Partner as they grew the business, often coming back to work each
evening after dinner. Barbara hired and trained the entire support team as the
company focused on delivering ever more relevant information to the field sales
teams and clients. She led the firm through both internal and external audits
and was a key part of the negotiating team helping to structure the sale of the
firm in 2000.
When the firm was acquired by madetoorder.com in 2000 Barbara
continued to work on the transition team before taking some time off to spend
with her two small children.
In 2003 when the opportunity arose to participate in the leveraged
buyout of the acquiring firm, Barbara jumped in with both feet. Initially
taking on a CFO role and then moving into the Chief Executive Officer position.
Today Barbara directs both the day to day operations of the enterprise and also
looks at the strategic opportunities to grow and innovate. A veteran of the
industry, she is deeply involved in the "process" of delivering value,
efficiency and quick time information to the Sales Teams and thereby the
clients. The need to support and enhance the ability of the sales teams and the
Sales Partners are key to the overall offering of the firm and the overall
experience that clients enjoy when working with the new MadeToOrder. Barbara
works closely with sales to look out for new trends in fashion and merchandise,
traveling to numerous shows each year, staying abreast of the firm's offerings.
She has pioneered relationships with a number of high end gift vendors to
create an upscale offering for the firms discerning clients who are looking for
more than the standard fare.
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Rod Brown, Pleasanton,
CA
Business Development
and CFO
925-484-0600 x113
rod@madetoorder.com
Rod began his advertising specialty career with the industry leader,
Jack Nadel. With the help of Russ Woodlief, Rod was promoted to the
management team and was charged with finding fresh recruits. Word of his success spread in the
industry and he was hired away by Bob Waldorf, the owner
of Idea Man, where he was asked to open a new
office.
Rod joined The Harwood Company at inception in 1989. And was part
of the management team that helped Harwood growing rapidly from $800,000 to $13
million, moving four times to larger facilities and opening a remote office. He
helped created an ISO plan for employees to share in the success of the firm
and insisted on an "open book" financial disclosure and involvement of the
sales partners in the financial well being of the company. He was again closely
involved in the financial dealings when the firm was acquired by a venture
group during the rush toward e-commerce and soon became MadeToOrder.com.
The team shared a vision for the future that was not shared by the
rest of the management team. Disillusioned, he made a decision to resign. Only
to be asked back six months later, when the Board of Directors asked him to
return as part of the management team to help to stem the losses. As the
management team began to look at buy-versus-build scenarios and recommended
putting together an offer to purchase the assets of iPrint Technologies/Wood
Associates, which had approximately $40 million in annual sales. Rod worked
closely with the Chairman and the Board to help put together more than $4
million in new capital to fund the newly combined companies. Upon completion of
the assignment in October 2002, Rod once again resigned to pursue other
interests.
In April 2003 Rod was once again asked to join a team of industry
professionals to help organize and execute on a leveraged buyout of the assets
of madetoorder.com and a new vision of sales force empowerment has been created
with a proven philosophy for success: simple service and integrity.
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Kevin Cassidy,
Portland, OR
Senior Sales Partner, Finance Wizard, Maestro
503-641-2273
kevin@madetoorder.com
Kevin began his career in high finance on Wall Street as an
investment banker. While maintaining a straight-laced business profile by day,
his alter ego cut loose by night as a musician. After 17 years, Kevin could no
longer deny the urgings of his right brain and sought a profession that better
suited his artistic and creative talents. He took a sales position with an
advertising specialties company. The industry is still reeling after 8 years.
Kevin's strong focus is in the hospital supply industry. His
ever-present concern for the bottom line steered him to the tremendous cost
savings of importing items directly for his clients. He has created a number of
character-based products for major clients, including IHOP, IBM, Adidas, Nike,
Xerox and major hospital chains.
Kevin prides himself as the alpha male of an all-female office.
Thankfully his charm and quick wit continue to endear him to his coworkers.
It's either that or his IT support. In his spare time, Kevin still has the
crowds singing His praises as a musician. Kevin fuses intelligence,
spirituality, creativity and a sick sense of humor.
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Sandy Gonzalez,
Pleasanton, CA
Senior Sales Partner, IT Chairperson, Aspiring
Geek
925-484-0600 x114
sandy@madetoorder.com
By day, Sandy is a multi-tasking wizard, shuffling between Web
sites, catalogs and warehouses to supply her clients with the most
brilliant ideas imaginable. She began her 20-year career as a mere
child in advertising specialties with Idea Man, Aspen Marketing and
has found her home at MadeToOrder.
Sandy is a consummate over-achiever who is not satisfied with
simply being a decorated top salesperson. She is also a past president of the
Northern California Promotional Products Association and has earned a CAS
designation.
She took on an arduous task for her largest account and has
elevated herself to the level of Sales Goddess. She successfully disguises
herself as a fantasmo of creativity and right-brained genius during the day. By
night, she transforms into her true self...a techno geek.
Donning her taped horn-rimmed glasses, hunched over her laptop, she
buries herself in technical manuals, synchronizes data systems and builds Web
sites.
Sandy is our master of disguise and go-to geek. She is a diva of creativity and
technology. She commands every room she enters.
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Nancy Hakkinen, San Jose,
CA
Senior Sales Partner, Shopping Diva, Quipster
408-553-0990 x102
nancy@madetoorder.com
Quick - hide the caffeine! Nancy's over-abundant energy requires no
kick-start in the morning.
She entered the working world in the office supply, furniture and
printing sector. This proved to be a nice career, but far too mundane for her
vivacious nature. She landed a position at Market One. Inspired to make her
mark, she chose Cisco as her target account. Her competitors have never
recovered. After achieving super-star status, she joined the Harwood Company
and brought Cisco with her. Nancy continued her climb.
Born with a gene to shop, she has become a veritable virtuoso,
continually dazzling her clients with an array of chic products. Ever the
bargain hunter, Nancy has established herself as the queen of deals. She can be
seen at her desk, surrounded by catalogs, products and junk food, with a cell
phone in one ear, desk phone in the other, one hand on the keyboard and the
other waving signals at a team member. She can juggle as many balls as you can
throw at her, never dropping one.
Nancy has an electrifying personality that attracts admirers and
leaves them laughing wherever she goes. A brilliant creative talent, Nancy
rules!
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Rex Shoemake, Pleasanton,
CA
Senior Sales Partner, Head Cheerleader,
Sun God
925-484-0600 x112
rex@madetoorder.com
Rex is a whirling dervish of creativity and energy.
Fresh out of college in Washington, he sprinted down to California
for the sun and to join Maritz, Inc., one of the largest incentive
and motivation companies in the country. Rex quickly amassed an
impressive account list including Pacific Bell, Neopost and CF Airfreight.
The sales cycle proved to be too long for his high-energy style. He
joined Rod Brown at the Harwood Company as a partner. This proved to be the
perfect fit for his colossal energy and ingenuity. He quickly transitioned his
clients and has become the king of sales.
Rex and Rod Brown spotted the future of high tech and decided to
ride the wave. Harwood was sold to MadeToOrder and Rex played an integral part
as the new venture's vice president of sales and vendor relations. He continued
to build his accounts to include Pacific Bell/SBC, Cingular Wireless, Hewlett
Packard, Neopost, the California State Automobile Association and advertising
agencies. Rex has found his true passion and is our resource for endless
innovative ideas.
Rex is our eternal optimist. He also serves as our corporate cheerleader. His
favorite sayings include, "Go with me on this!" and "Yep, yep, yep!" When not
selling, he can be found at the nearest pool, working on his immortal tan.
Everyone that Rex meets savors a lasting impression of him. He displays a
wonderful mix of warmth and artistry.
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Matt Poel, San Diego, CA
Senior Sales Partner
858-831-0020 x116
matt@madetoorder.com
With Northern California roots, Matt set his sights on San Diego for College in 1990. Upon graduation from the University of San Diego Matt said, "If I can make money in San Diego I'm staying". With the entrepreneurial bug and a good friend business partner, Matt entered the custom clothing business. Brands have always been a passion for Matt as he ventured to build the next big label. Well, the brand was a success and his education in custom imprinted products grew. As fate would have it, he stumbled across the promotional products industry. The idea of creative marketing, larger orders and building stronger customer relationships excited Matt and his partner to venture deeper into the Ad Specialty world. Jumping from the comforts of their living room "headquarters", it was then that Matt's true path was paved. As the Dot Com bubble was just beginning to build, Matt's promotional products company was bustling and more opportunity presented itself. The orders continued to pour in and the company grew. Matt's passion for working with people and love for the industry pushed the company to exceed expectations. Building a career in San Diego became a reality for Matt and his drive toward success did not waver. The daily challenges of small business ownership kept Matt focused on building his company. To keep the dream alive and continue building a future in the promotional products industry, Matt found it best by partnering with industry leaders. Passion for business and commitment to excellence led Matt to Rod Brown and the MadeToOrder team. After due diligence by Matt and his key company players, MadeToOrder was above and beyond the best opportunity. The ability to work and learn from the best in the industry will keep Matt motivated and passionate for the promotional products industry.
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Cris Aldridge, Pleasanton,
CA
Sales Partner, Wheelman, Mr. Baseball
925-484-0600 x104
cris@madetoorder.com
Cris is well known for his ability to work under
tight deadlines and in tight spaces without freaking out. The word
"impossible" is not in Cris' vocabulary. While working
on his advertising degree, Cris did an internship in the advertising
specialty industry with a distributor. He was hooked. But he put
his career on hold to pursue his true passion...baseball.
Cris played in the minors for awhile, until he decided he needed to
get a "real career." He began in the T-shirt biz in Southern California and
joined the Harwood Company to work on the IBM team.
Cris quickly moved up to the majors, combining his sales expertise
with his sports background. His focus is sports teams, colleges and
universities, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, Major League Baseball Players
Association and Comedy Central.
Cris can be seen running thru the halls, maneuvering his way to
score the sale. He is also known as a real dealmaker and will do anything to
save his clients a buck.
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Lisa Monk, Portland, OR
Sales Partner, Sherlock
503-350-0954
lisa@madetoorder.com
Lisa came to the advertising specialties industry after years of
selling in retail electronics. She began as a sidekick for a successful team
five years ago. In a flash, she became a phenom at unearthing unique items.
Lisa has become the go-to girl in her office and has been known to take bribes
of chocolate in exchange for knowledge. An avid hiker and fisherwoman, Lisa has
combined her personal interests, sales skills and knowledge to land sales
accounts like Nike, Adidas, Chase Manhattan Mortgage, Mentor Graphics, FEI and
Leupold and Stevens.
Lisa's effervescent personality is contagious. She is quite
entertaining and has been known to exaggerate a tad. Ask her about the time
she caught a "22-lb steelhead."
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Kevin Spawn, San Diego, CA
Sales Partner
858-831-0020 x118
kevins@madetoorder.com
After graduating college, Kevin began his sales carrier with the Flexx Team in San Diego. After 5 years of growing his business and focusing on direct importing, Kevin was part of the team that identified MadeToOrder as a company that could help Kevin grow his client relationships. Kevin found himself selling ever larger direct import orders and creating custom apparel for his key clients. With the long lead times and the quantities required for these larger relationships Kevin worked with Matt and the rest of the team to find supporting partner to help him meet his clients purchasing desires. Today Kevin serves the needs of the outdoor community, non profits and associations with brand extensions into logo merchandise in support of fundraising efforts.
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