MARK J. NOEKER
56 Gibraltar NE
Rockford, MI 49341
kramjn@gmail.com
(616) 450-9441
OVERVIEW AND OBJECTIVE
I am a goal-oriented, competitive person with a track record of success as a leader, teacher and sales
professional. I am a quick learner who takes ownership of challenges, has the ability to see the big
picture, and develop a team strategy that can be duplicated by others of varying skill levels and seen
through to the final execution. I seek a position where I can utilize my existing strengths and develop new
expertise for long term personal growth and financial stability.
SKILLS AND STRENGTHS
Business Strategy
Sales Management
Motivating a Team
Fostering loyalty
Recruiting and Hiring
Dynamic Group Presentations
Command and Presence
Process Development & Rollout
Negotiation & Conflict Resolution
Personal Sales
MS Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint,
Publisher, Access & Outlook)
CRM Software (MS Dynamics,
Act!, SalesLogix, Goldmine)
Adobe Creative Suite 6
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
iMJN Gifts, LLC; Grand Rapids, MI – June 2012 to present: Started an e-commerce site as a subsidiary
company to complement our core business of cooking classes and high-end kitchenware with smaller
ticket items available for purchase or on a wedding gift registry.
 Product procurement acquiring several hundred unique, quality kitchen items from nine different
suppliers/manufacturers. Conducted a competitive analysis of current availability and future
marketability. Negotiated pricing and quantity terms, and secured a third-party fulfillment center to
handle automated delivery of products to customers upon purchase.
 Site development using an out-of-the-box e-commerce solution as a foundation, then customizing to
reflect our unique product line and marketing programs. Built a marketing “splash” site from scratch.
 Traditional Marketing projects including logo and keyword design, website content and style,
brochure design and development, trade show displays and signage, direct mailings to prospective
and existing customers, and videotaped demonstrations and customer testimonials.
 Social Media Marketing through facebook, youtube, and various other online outlets to promote the
site, promotions, and live events.
iMJN Enterprises; Grand Rapids, MI – June 1999 to present: Self-employed as an independent
distributor and consultant in the direct sales of high-end cookware and kitchen utensils. Specific
responsibilities included:
 Lead Acquisition through trade shows, referral and loyalty programs for existing customers,
networking through formal organizations and informal contacts, and creative partnerships with
related vendors.
 Marketing projects including brochure design and development, trade show displays and signage,
billboard and print advertisements, direct mailings to prospective and existing customers, website
content and style, and videotaped and live events for 10 to 4000 attendees. Utilized desktop
publishing applications and outside resources to accomplish tasks.
 Appointment Setting via the phone and face to face interaction. Composed multiple scripts to reflect
varying prospect types and applicable marketing approaches, “door opener” promotions and sales
presentations. Qualified prospects for interest, financial ability, sufficient time and an appropriate






environment to present the necessary information. Coordinated an appointment schedule for
multiple sales reps through overbooking, confirmation and communication from the field.
Sales of tangible products in a single-call scenario. Created desire, urgency, and handled objections
through an organized sales process, supporting materials and third party stories. Received multiple
awards and recognition for individual achievement as a top sales rep in the local region and
nationwide. Personal Sales through in-home presentations of varying length and content for up to
four prospects at a time. Team Sales utilizing assistants for group presentations of up to 20 prospects
at venues throughout a thirteen state region.
Customer Service via inbound and outbound phone calls, personal visits at a customer’s home, and
planned live events. Devised a financially self-sustaining cooking class program that serviced existing
customers, attracted new prospects and offered a consistent service in a product-oriented business.
Implemented a rollout of MS Dynamics CRM to facilitate consistent customer service process and
account development.
Finance and Collections analyzing credit bureau reports to assess risk in setting up revolving credit
accounts, using recourse financing, subprime lenders and layaway programs as appropriate. Resolved
delinquent accounts by following Fair Debt Collection practices, negotiating settlements and
pursuing appropriate legal remedies.
Recruiting and Training using job fairs, newspaper/internet classified ads, and personal contacts to
build a team of 15 full-time sales reps. Regularly taught four and five day training sessions for new
recruits. Built an extensive training program from scratch, including a manual and supporting
materials for new sales reps. Was selected to lead breakout training sessions on the topics of “Goal
Setting”, “Third Party Stories” and “Attracting Good Business” at national conventions. Assisted other
offices with the launch of local college internship programs. Successfully ran internal internship
programs of 6-10 college interns.
Management and Leadership of a loyal sales force through daily phone calls, weekly meetings and
personal coaching and mentoring. Prepared sales meeting agendas, training materials and a host of
sales contests and incentives to motivate and educate.
Business Development through aggressive recruiting, program development and use of technology.
Was instrumental in taking a local operation from $250,000 to more than $5 million in annual sales.
Doubled sales and increased market share in a challenging economic time by focusing on competitive
differences. Recipient of the 2010 Donald A. Henn Founder’s Trophy for commitment to free
enterprise and entrepreneurship.
Business Review – Western Michigan; Grand Rapids, MI – November 2007 to April 2008: Grand Rapids
Team Leader. Specific responsibilities included:
 Leading a Team of three account executives in order to better penetrate the Grand Rapids market
for the Kalamazoo-headquartered weekly B2B publication owned by Advance / Booth Newspapers.
 Streamlining the Sales Process using technology to leverage information across multiple platforms.
 Revamping a Marketing Image for sales presentations, including a trade show display, printed and
electronic presentation templates.
 Building Relationships with prominent Grand Rapids business and non-profit organization leaders.
 Individual Advertising Design for clients, coordinating with graphic design team to execute concept.
 Personal Sales of advertising through traditional display print ads, online advertising through
MLive.com, and live event sponsorships.
New Horizons Computer Learning Center; Grand Rapids, MI - September 2001 to March 2002: Account
Executive. Specific responsibilities included:
 Lead Acquisition through aggressive cold-calling and converting inbound requests.



Business to Business Sales of live classroom and computer-based training using a solution-based,
multi-step sales process.
Account Management using Sales Logix and Act! contact management software to maintain client
history and track account activity.
Course Development in response to client feedback to offer a Quickbooks course in conjunction with
a local certified public accountant.
IBM Catapult Software Training; Southfield, MI - May 1998 to August 1999: Software Trainer.
Specific responsibilities included:
 Live Classroom Training of end-user software applications including operating systems, Lotus Notes,
Act! and Goldmine contact managers, proprietary enterprise software, and the 95, 97 and 2000
versions of the entire MS Office Suite. I taught day-long classes of varying complexity for up to 20
students in our classroom setting and on-site at clients’ facilities. Major clients included Liberty
Mutual, Kmart, Detroit Edison, the City of Detroit, the Detroit branch of the Federal Reserve, Oakland
University and Wayne State University.
 Continuous Learning to stay on top of new software developments and teaching techniques.
 Customer Service through student feedback and individual follow-up as necessary.
 Collaboration with Account Executives to identify new sales opportunities.
Royal Prestige of Michigan; Livonia, MI - May 1995 to June 1999: Independent consultant in the direct
sales of high-end cookware and kitchen utensils. Accomplishments included:
 College Intern. 1995 National Sales Champion, #1 Summer Rookie
 Campus Manager of 60 college interns from four campuses. Recognized as #2 Summer Company in
1996, and achieved a 70% increase in sales production in 1997 to become #1 Summer Company.
 Royal Prestige Hall of Fame for sustained individual sales achievement. Multiple awards for monthly
and annual sales accomplishments.
EDUCATION
University of Michigan; Ann Arbor MI - BA Organizational Studies 1999
 Emphasis on Leadership, Organizational Psychology, Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
 Participated in a variety of University of Michigan Band Ensembles.
 1998 graduate of Leadershape Institute, a non-profit leadership training program for campus leaders.
 Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Band Service Fraternity. Two-term Chapter Officer and Executive Board
member. Tracked chapter attendance, and recorded minutes at our weekly business meeting.
Responsible for developing and publishing a Membership Handbook. Served in various capacities at
District Conventions and Block Meetings. Chaired the Jurisdiction Committee at the 1999 Biennial
National Convention.
● ● ●
HOBBIES / INTERESTS


Music Performance and Instruction
Billiards - Individual and Team
Competitions
REFERENCES

Available Upon Request


Home Improvement
Cooking
…track record of
success as a leader,
teacher and sales
professional.
● ● ●