Barbara Turley

Founder & CEO at The Virtual Hub | Speaker | Podcast Host 🎙| Operational Efficiency Enthusiast 💥| Passionately helping businesses remove bottlenecks & scale 🚀

A 'Mum first' entrepreneur who has bootstrapped and scaled a 350 employee, digital first support assistant company with clients spanning the globe, all while attending toddler ballet, kids ski club, playdates and living between the mountains of Europe and the beaches of Australia.

The usual question I get asked is 'how the hell did you do that?' 

To which my usual reply is ......

'By focussing on building great systems, nailing process delegation and leveraging cost effective teams of support assistants in The Philippines.'

Platforms. Processes. People. 

Everyday I see great companies full of great people who are roadblocked by the vortex of busywork. From small businesses with 5 people to large organisations with 500 people the story is the same. Great people bogged down by necessary but inefficient and time consuming busywork. 

By identifying the 20-50% of most peoples day that is taken up by admin and/or process driven tasks any business can strategically optimise their human capital budgets by delegating to a team of offshore virtual assistants. 

From e-commerce and SAAS to coaching and service businesses, we help unlock business growth by freeing great people from the time-suck of busywork.

At The Virtual Hub, we provide fully managed, in-house trained and dedicated virtual assistants starting at $750 USD per month.

By integrating great support assistants inside your business we act like a 'bolt on' scaling partner to your growth plans.

Founder & CEO

Helping companies work smarter, move faster & scale better with a combination of operational efficiency frameworks, tech stacks that work and offshore team strategies.

Russ Howard

ALANHOW / ADVISORS

I deliver expert fractional leadership, executive coaching, and consulting advice to entrepreneurs, founders, and start-ups, conducting industry analysis, identifying potential opportunities, and elevating revenue and profit growth. 

Key highlights include:

► Spark start-up and established client growth through best-in-class, B2B, B2C, IoT, and SaaS shared consumer marketplace solutions.

► Serve as Subject Matter Expert across a wide range of areas including business planning, capital planning, strategic partnerships, scaling strategies, sales channel optimization, and new business development.

► Partner with leading IT and SaaS organizations including Centegix, GyftHint, Game Driver, CardFunder, C2C Advisors, INVZBL, and Engaged Systems, driving growth through channel partnerships and strategic alliances.

Founder & Managing Director

Chief Executive Coaching

I provide advisory and coaching support to CEOs and C-Suite Executives – tailored to each client’s unique needs – helping them to achieve their objectives and elevate their leadership.

Areas of Specialty:

► Strategy
► Scaling UP
► Sustaining Innovation
► Team Culture
► Leadership Team Alignment
► Operations
► Goal Setting and Accountability
► Communication Skills

Executive Coach

GyftHint

► GyftHint aims to revolutionize the $2.2T gifting industry with an innovative marketplace that provides a seamless and sustainable gifting experience for retailers and consumers.

► Board Advisory role: Leading B2B strategic relationships, contributing to MVP launch and driving top-line growth initiatives

Advisory Board Member

CardFunder

I introduced a “purpose-driven” gift card alternative currency SaaS platform as a C2C subsidiary, moving from physical-only donations to online/mobile app donations after COVID and selling subsidiary in 2022.

 Key highlights include:

► Co-developed a proprietary web and mobile app with the acquiring partner that allows non-profit organizations to convert unused or partially used gift cards into charitable cash donations

► Landed the 10th-largest global non-profit (Compassion International) as a client, fostering trusted relationships with various churches, schools, and charitable organizations.

Founder / CEO 

C2C Advisors / C2Cxchange

I developed a state-of-the-art gift card alternative currency SaaS platform looking to eliminate $10B in annual unused gift cards through development of secondary gift card trading market. 

Key highlights include:

► Launched secure, scalable cloud-based gift card trading platform supporting multi-site, eCommerce, and Omnichannel retailers

► Built strategic partnerships with 1000+ retail brands and financial institutions including industry leaders $2.8B Blackhawk Network, $5.8B GameStop, CardCash, Raise, and Check into Cash

Co-Founder & Principal

MOVIESTOP (Division of GameStop)

I established this $40M+ retail concept as part of $9B video game and consumer electronics retailer GameStop. I secured board approval/funding, directed 450+ employees across 50 locations and 10 states, building on the GameStop buy/sell/trade business model I architected several years earlier. 

Key highlights include:

► Directed successful spin-out from GameStop and LBO in 2011, selling to Draw Another Circle in 2014.

► Spearheaded all aspects of new venture including concept development, business plan creation, market analysis, funding, customer experience, growth strategies, and operations improvements.

Co-Founder / CEO 

GameStop (GME)

I fueled sales growth through an innovative pre-owned, trade, and refurbishment (buy/sell/trade) business model, reporting directly to GameStop Chairman and CEO. 

Key highlights include:

► Delivered $600M in annual sales, positioning the unit as the fastest-growing revenue and margin sector with double-digit growth over multiple years.

► Grew strip-based store sales by 50%, combining buy/sell/trade secondary market model with new release-centric legacy model to form market-leading model differentiating GameStop from the competition

► Advanced store openings from 75 to 400+ per year via the launch of software and hardware refurbishment/ reclamation center (ROC) as separate business unit and P&L to increase the availability of used inventory

Vice President, Business Development

I developed key corporate brand strategies including rebranding/repositioning of 400-store Funcoland concept. 

Key highlights include:

► Formed clear GameStop brand identity prior to 2002 IPO, consolidating 3 separate entities (Software Etc., Babbage’s, and Funcoland) into a unified and cohesive brand.

Vice President, Brand Marketing

Entertainment Brands

Conceptualized and Co-founded chain of Video Game stores and e-commerce site doing business as GAMEPRO.

Co-Founder / President

Take 2 Interactive (TTWO)

Architected an original distribution/publishing model as part of the executive team reporting to the Chairman & CEO.

► Played a key role in negotiating and closing joint ventures and acquisitions with other video game developers and publishers.

► Contributed to significant revenue growth, taking the company from $19 million at the inception of the IPO to over $220 million in just two years.

► Developed and managed relationships with over 100 developers, distributors, publishers, manufacturers, and retailers across the video game industry.

Acclaim Entertainment (AKLM)

Reporting directly to the Founder/CEO, I directed and coordinated all activities related to the acquisition and distribution of third-party, externally developed interactive entertainment products in a newly formed position.

► Procured developers and products throughout North America, showcasing an ability to identify and collaborate with top talent in the industry.

► Recognized for the expertise and promoted to liaison with European operational, marketing, and product development teams, expanding responsibilities and facilitating global partnerships.

Director, Artist and Repertoire (A&R)

Are you growing fast enough? 

As a 5X founder and Corporate leader, I've been driving business success and innovation for 30+ years. I've had a front-row seat generating Billions in revenue growth by creating, building, and architecting much of the DNA for a few of the most disruptive and cutting-edge brands in history, including Take 2 Interactive BlockBuster and GameStop. 

My blend of entrepreneurial spirit and corporate leadership allows me to empower CEOs and senior executives to uncover new growth opportunities and swiftly tackle pressing challenges.

Here’s how I’ll help you elevate your business:

What I bring to the table:

► Proven strategies to enhance your customer experience and drive growth.
► Deep expertise in developing and scaling new business concepts.
► A track record of forging powerful partnerships with Fortune 500 companies.
► Insightful guidance on capital raising, strategic planning, and corporate partnerships.

My promise to you: You’ll receive clear, actionable advice rooted in years of real-world experience. Whether you're launching a new venture or revitalizing an existing one, I‘ll guide you to surprising growth.

Why this matters:

► Your company has potential, but you're seeking fresh growth strategies.
► You're navigating complex business challenges that need swift, effective solutions.
► You recognize the value of strategic partnerships and want to leverage them for growth.
► You need a trusted advisor to help steer your company toward sustained success.

Let’s connect to explore how I can help your company grow and thrive!

I deliver expert fractional leadership, executive coaching, and consulting advice to entrepreneurs, founders, and start-ups, conducting industry analysis, identifying potential opportunities, and elevating revenue and profit growth. 

Key highlights include:

► Spark start-up and established client growth through best-in-class, B2B, B2C, IoT, and SaaS shared consumer marketplace solutions.

► Serve as Subject Matter Expert across a wide range of areas including business planning, capital planning, strategic partnerships, scaling strategies, sales channel optimization, and new business development.

► Partner with leading IT service organizations including Centegix, Total Choice Communications, CardFunder, C2C Advisors, INVZBL, and GyftHint, driving growth through channel partnerships and strategic alliances.

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The Battle

Barbara Turley

Russ Howard

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