LK Hillside is owned by Dave Lessing, an experienced entrepreneur
Entrepreneurship and business ownership have been core to Dave’s upbringing
Dave’s Parents owned professional service businesses
Dave’s Grandfather owned a food distributor
Dave’s Uncles owned family businesses in food service, vending, metalworking manufacturing, and more
Dave is a dynamic business leader with a proven track record building and scaling organizations in different industries
SUPERPOWERS
Entrepreneurial Leadership: Deep Listening & Inner Fire
Deep Listening: listen to customers, colleagues & partners and understand needs/priorities to deliver outstanding results–e.g., ecommerce redesign (PsPrint), cross-sell solutions (Deluxe Corp), refinancing & construction projects (Presidio Knolls School)
Inner Fire: embrace new challenges with a “can-do” attitude and overcome obstacles to consistently achieve success
Leader and Doer
Strategic vision combined with practical, agile execution
Expansive range in scope based on the need of the business in the moment, from being the online marketer (PsPrint, Hotwire) or deal maker (Yahoo!) to leading multi-function organizations (Deluxe Corp, PsPrint, Presidio Knolls School)
Chief Cheerleader
Rare ability to generate excitement and enthusiasm–from janitors and security guards to functional leaders, investors and trustees–to deliver projects, products, processes and meaningful change
RESULTS
General Manager
23% growth in revenue, from $30M to $37M
200 basis point reduction in selling costs
5% boost in productivity for the division
VP Sales & Marketing
270% growth in sales, from $11M to $30M
10x return via $45M strategic acquisition
59% increase in customer lifetime value
COO/CFO
170% growth in revenue
155% growth in student enrollment
STARTUP & TRANSFORMATION EXPERIENCE
Building from the Ground Up: Products, Projects & Functions
Marketing, customer service & website usability (PsPrint)
New product: multiple print promotional products (PsPrint)
New service: direct mail (Deluxe Corp) & graphic design (PsPrint)
Refinancing & construction projects (Presidio Knolls School)
Strategic Pivots & Quick Transformations
From print marketing products to personalized print and direct mail services (Deluxe Corp)
From simple search engine marketing to integrated, multi-channel online & offline marketing programs (PsPrint)
From search/affiliate marketing to website optimization (Hotwire)
From in person to remote learning (Presidio Knolls School)
OPERATIONAL & STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP
Organization & Talent Management
Reorganized the technology/marketing teams and recruited and mentored leadership team of seven people (Deluxe Corp)
Launched an employee goal/review process and implemented continuous improvement approach (PsPrint, Presidio Knolls School)
Deal-Making
Instrumental in positioning the company for successful strategic acquisition (PsPrint)
Negotiated and closed 19 integrated marketing and software/database licensing agreements, contributing $25M in revenue (Yahoo!)
Dave is a dynamic business leader with a proven track record building and scaling organizations in different industries
Deluxe Corp General Manager
23% growth in revenue, from $30M to $37M
200 basis point reduction in selling costs
5% boost in productivity for the division
PsPrint VP Sales & Marketing
270% growth in sales, from $11M to $30M
10x return via $45M strategic acquisition
59% increase in customer lifetime value
Presidio Knolls School Chief Operations Officer
170% growth in revenue
155% growth in student enrollment
OPERATIONAL & STRATEGIC
Organization & Talent Management
Reorganized the technology/marketing teams and recruited and mentored leadership team of seven people (Deluxe Corp)
Launched an employee goal/review process and implemented continuous improvement approach (PsPrint, Presidio Knolls School)
Deal-Making
Instrumental in positioning the company for successful strategic acquisition (PsPrint)
Negotiated and closed 19 integrated marketing and software/database licensing agreements, contributing $25M in revenue (Yahoo!)
SUPERPOWERS
Deep Listening & Inner Fire
Listen to customers, colleagues & partners and understand needs/priorities to deliver outstanding results–e.g., ecommerce redesign (PsPrint), cross-sell solutions (Deluxe Corp), refinancing & construction projects (Presidio Knolls School)
Embrace new challenges with a “can-do” attitude and overcome obstacles to consistently achieve success
Leader and Doer
Strategic vision combined with practical, agile execution
Expansive range in scope based on the need of the business in the moment, from being the online marketer (PsPrint, Hotwire) or deal maker (Yahoo!) to leading multi-function organizations (Deluxe Corp, PsPrint, Presidio Knolls School)
Chief Cheerleader
Rare ability to generate excitement and enthusiasm–from janitors and security guards to functional leaders, investors and trustees–to deliver projects, products, processes and meaningful change
STARTUPS & PIVOTS
Building from the Ground Up
● Marketing, customer service & website usability (PsPrint)
● New product: multiple print promotional products (PsPrint)
● New service: direct mail (Deluxe Corp) & graphic design (PsPrint)
● Refinancing & construction projects (Presidio Knolls School)
Strategic Pivots & Quick Transformations
● From print marketing products to personalized print and direct mail services (Deluxe Corp)
● From simple search engine marketing to integrated, multi-channel online & offline marketing programs (PsPrint)
● From search/affiliate marketing to website optimization (Hotwire)
● From in person to remote learning (Presidio Knolls School)