My career has been quite eclectic, yet with two constants: I love growing businesses and have enjoyed considerable success across diverse industries.
Working in the front office of professional sports teams was a natural fit, as I’ve always been team-oriented and love competing. Successes with major and minor league hockey and soccer organizations created memories I’ll cherish for the rest of my life and a conviction in teamwork as a driver for extraordinary results.
My next chapter involved honing my sales and entrepreneurial skills within the luxury jewelry industry. With two partners, I founded Ascot Diamonds in Atlanta. Our uniqueness was providing clients with access to an unparalleled diamond inventory, world-class jewelry design and impeccable craftsmanship at tremendous value versus traditional retail options. Revenues grew at 2-3x for many years and Ascot remains a thriving business today with showrooms in Atlanta, Charlotte, New York, Dallas and Washington, DC.
In 2015 a private equity firm asked me to evaluate their investment in Charleston Beverage Company, makers of Charleston Mix Bloody Mary. At the time the brand was primarily available on a local basic in South Carolina. I saw potential and agreed to stay on to attempt to transform the business. Fast-forward to the end of my tenure and the brand was available in over 6,500 points of retail distribution and 2,500 bars, restaurants and package stores. Our growth strategy led to sales increases that averaged 50% per year over four years, and the brand is currently the #1 selling craft Bloody Mary mix in the United States for two years running.
I’m now putting my experience to work with Seaside Grown and Frogmore Bottling Company, two South Carolina Lowcountry companies connected with a rich 115+ year history of sustainable farming. I have confidence their true Field to Glass® products and state-of-the-art co-packing facility will lead them to successful harvests within both the CPG and bottling industries.
Good people have given me an array of opportunities, and I have given them aggressive growth and profits in short time periods. I’m always looking to put my proven history to work on a new challenge. If you know your organization needs a better path forward but don’t know how to get there, contact me and let’s talk!
~ Matt Klidjian, Founder of Ripple Effect Growth Advisors
