Michael Mandanis

About Michael Mandanis

As a highly successful entrepreneur and vision-driven product innovation and…

Experience

1. Vice President of Product Development Design Global Sourcing

   Lumi Dekor

   Dec 2018 — Present · Portola Valley, CA, US

   ILLURE is an innovative lifestyle brand with a product line comprised of artisan candlelight décor, essential oil fragrances, patented fragrance diffusion, Lumi360° flameless candles, ColdFire, and JetFlame technologies. The brand is backed by an extensive IP portfolio that allows for significant growth and licensing opportunities.I conceived, launched, and oversee all business operations for this company. I have also assembled a cohesive and high-performing 12-member luminary equity-holder leadership team and Board of Directors.I oversee short-and long-term product strategies, tactical execution, blue-sky innovations, team culture, product vision, merchandising functions, and the creation of compelling content for the company website and socials. Further, I: • Establish and manage strategic partnerships with premier brands Biltmore Estate, Pottery Barn, QVC and Tremont Floral, Vance Kitira, and Whipsaw Design.• Steer business negotiations and represent company at factory showrooms and industry-leading global trade shows.• Manage product development and compliance with vertically integrated suppliers in Viet Nam, Thailand, India, China, and the USA.My accomplishments in this role include:• Paved the way for commercialization of the ILLURE brand to achieve $4M in sales in less than four years, with operating margins of +40%.• Conceived and implemented multiple product lines from the ground up, positioning each for high market visibility.• Architected best-in-class R&D process and helmed multimillion-dollar multi-brand strategy for introducing premium and mid-tier products into new vertical markets and geographies.• Establish and adapt operational strategy as needed to adjust to shifts in priorities, ensuring continual alignment with cultural DNA of quality, excellence, collaboration and focus on achieving top-line sales.• Certified on-air guest, brand ambassador and spokesperson appearing in numerous, live TV broadcasts for the QVC network.

Education

• Boston University

  Bachelor of Science in Political Science, Emphasis on Business/Managerial Economics

  1984 — 1987