Colton Kaplan

Headline

Venture Scout

Stealth

Founder

Founder Social Club

Coyax

COO and Advisor

Walmart

• Selected by senior leadership to provide network strategy, improving process prioritization through 5s warehouse layout yielding $539k cost savings and decrease in safety incidents by 30%
• Created inventory tracker for 1P and 3P freight to be systematically visible in receiving process improving on-time delivery by 10%, increasing efficiency, and exceeding customer expectations
• Utilized domain expertise identifying bottlenecks, internal stakeholders implementing process increasing 3rd party vendor service level agreement compliance, saving $500k in rework labor across network
• Mentored and coached 20+ associates fostering professional growth by conducting interviews, hiring, and training associates resulting in 90% reduction in problem pallets and best department across supply chain 
• Partnered with 5 product teams suggesting feature enhancements and bug fixes for 6 different software platforms through JIRA dashboards resulting in reduced waste, optimized efficiency, and 50k in savings

Next-Gen Inbound Manager

MastersCV

• Developed UI/UX interface and integrated software automating and optimizing efficiency for the customer
• Created process flow and built product roadmap launching 5 products in six months increasing revenue by 50%
• Identified pain points of target market, conducted market research and launched MVP going from 0 to 1
• Implemented agile and scrum methodologies executing sprints resulting in 30% response rate for outreach
• Prioritizing tasks of managing CRM, sales cycle, product marketing, and product and business development
• Executed data-driven analysis of competitor landscape resulting in iterating pricing models and monetization strategies

Founder and Product Manager

Net Impact Purdue

President

• Learned SQL, VBA, Teradata, and macros creating tools identifying item setup issues improving vendor compliance, and reducing net loss for an estimated savings of 2.5 million dollars network-wide
• Identified root causes working with software, QA, product, continuous improvement managers, inbound department leaders, and senior leadership increasing quality for customers reducing DPM in inbound freight
• Created feedback loop developing supply chain visibility for 95 departments in Fortune 1 company to merchandising teams identifying item set up issues for vendors and specific UPC information decreasing shrink
• Implemented feature requests for cycle count, general adjustments, and gross inventory adjustment reasons resulting in aided visibility regarding associates adjusting out inventory improving quality metrics

Supply Chain MBA Intern

Reef Kitchens

•	Monitored daily, weekly, and monthly inventories accurately forecasting supplies needed for upcoming shifts based on sales from previous days
•	Trained line cooks, assistant managers, and general managers on all policies, procedures, and brands executed resulting in personal and professional career growth
•	Scheduled staff to optimize peak times and reduce labor during slow periods; delegated responsibilities to hold each other accountable creating a team-oriented environment

General Manager

•	Developed par sheets to maximize profitability, reduce waste, and minimize excess ordering of products; available for all employee use, increased morale
•	Recruited more business by distributing marketing materials to local establishments resulting in more sales

Assistant Manager

Host of Change with Colton🎙 Podcast | Operations | Strategy | Lean Six Sigma | Supply Chain | Eliminating loneliness on the founder journey | Growing Founder Social Club Community

I am an accomplished supply chain professional and entrepreneur with a passion for growth and improvement.

Host the “Change with Colton” podcast, where my mission is to inspire founders to overcome adversity, gain confidence, and reach their unlimited potential.

Recently launched KindLabz which is the all-in-one supply chain for creators. We help build social impact brands that are sustainable. We are taking on all 17 sustainable development goals and giving back to the communities in need.

I helped Walmart eCommerce successfully launch the first two next-gen automated fulfillment centers. I am SME in inbound operations. I mentor leaders to help them grow in their careers professionally.

I focus on Supply Chain Management, Product Development, Data Analysis, Business Analysis, Engineering, Product Marketing, Software Development, Cross-functional Team Leadership, Sales Management, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), E-Commerce, Finance, Digital Marketing, Agile Methodologies, and Scrum.

With a goal-oriented mindset and a knack for problem-solving, I implement lean strategies to increase efficiency and reduce waste. 

I have a strong track record of working with cross-functional teams and leveraging data analytics to drive insightful decisions. I positively impact the world through entrepreneurship and product management.

In my free time, I enjoy reading, listening to podcasts, spending time with my wife, and playing with my Shih Tzu Mila.

Welcome to another Founder Social Minute.

Today we are joined by Sneh Dhruv, Founder and CEO of Trillboards.

TrillBoards helps people turn idle screens into a new source of income.

Through Founder Social Minute, I share stories of founders in the community who are collaborating, creating value, and helping each other move forward.

Excited to continue featuring more founders who are shaping the future of entrepreneurship.

Founder Social Club

#FSC #community #FounderSocialMinute #Trillboards

Podcast Host 🎙️| Founder Social Club | Eliminating loneliness for founders

Today I released the first episode of the Founder Social Club Podcast.

I started this to create a space where founders can learn from each other. Real stories, real challenges, and the decisions that shape the journey. 

Conversations about product, growth, hiring, fundraising, failures, and what it actually takes to build something meaningful.

Episode 1 is with Saurabh Misra, the founder of Codeflash. We talk about the future of coding, building from zero, founder market fit, and how AI is changing engineering.

This is day one. More conversations are coming soon.

You can listen here:

🎧 Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gN-jrNDX

 ▶️ YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gnn-Ycdc

Thank you for being part of this community.

#FounderSocialClub #Podcast

Welcome to another Founder Social Minute.

Today we are joined by Maureen Lepatan, Founder & CEO of Strathwell Inc

Strathwell Inc turns untapped spaces & services into unforgettable events.

Founder Social Club

#FSC #community #FounderSocialMinute #events

Hosted the second edition of the AI Startup Job Fair a few weeks ago with manny duenas!

It was a strong turnout with many talented people in the room.

Meet Daniel Elfving

Daniel has experience in customer success and a strong passion for blockchain, crypto, AI, and cybersecurity. He is now looking for his next role in these industries and is exploring where he can make the strongest impact.

We recorded a short Founder Social Club Spotlight to highlight his background and his experience at the event.

Sharing it here. If your team is hiring in these fields and would like an introduction, please feel free to reach out to Daniel or to me.

📸 Video Credit: Emanuel Francis

#FounderSocialSpotlight #FSC #startups #jobs

"In the early days of a startup, hiring slow and strategically is key. 

Focus on understanding your product and market first, then bring in specialized talent when it's time to scale." - Aquibur Rahman, Founder Mailmodo

Aquibur Rahman dropped a lot of knowledge on this one. 

Founder Social Club podcast.  👀 

#StartupGrowth #HiringStrategy #Entrepreneurship #FSC #podcast

Ymn Group Technology

• Managed Shopify store with 100,000+ monthly visitors. Used Google Analytics (GA4) to track user behavior and optimize site for conversions, resulting in a 20% increase in average order value
• Spearheaded a 55% year-over-year revenue growth through rebranding and content strategies on Amazon, utilizing Seller Central, Jungle Scout, and Helium 10
• Coordinated with marketing, sales, IT, and logistics to integrate e-commerce, manage promotional inventory, and reduce excess stock by 19%.
• Facilitated bi-weekly stakeholder meetings to update teams, gather feedback, and align product development milestones with company strategies, increasing alignment with business objectives by 20%.
• Analyzed customer behavior and purchasing patterns, identifying trends that led to a 27% increase in customer retention rates.
• Optimized online customer experience by unifying omnichannel efforts and ensuring a smooth, personalized, and consistent purchase journey.
• Engineered PPC strategies that resulted in a 25% reduction in cost per acquisition
• Implemented data-driven methodologies that boosted customer satisfaction by 30%, leveraging GA4 analytics for insights into customer behavior and preferences

Chief eCommerce & Digital Officer 

•	Executed full P&L, meeting budget targets and optimizing proﬁtability, achieving a 20% annual revenue increase across Amazon and other eCommerce marketplaces through strategic operational improvements
•	Revamped operational workﬂows through ERP system integration, achieving a 20% reduction in delivery times and boosting productivity metrics by 15%
•	Drove international expansion eﬀorts, generating a 40% increase in global sales revenue with a focus on omni-channel strategy and DTC initiatives
•	Executed cost-reduction plans with innovative analytical solutions, streamlining operations to boost profit margins by 10% and enhance CLV through data-driven CRM tactics
•	Performed A/B testing (Google Optimize, Optimizely) on website design and content, leading to a                  45% increase in user engagement
•	Led a 15-person team for a B2C brand, overseeing PR, social media, email marketing, blog management, retail outreach, and brand partnerships

Director of Ecommerce-Omnichannel

𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗲 – 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 
We're a dynamic company driving growth in both direct-to-consumer (DTC) and business-to-consumer (B2C) markets.  Our expertise spans brand strategy, digital and omni-channel strategy, cross-cultural adaptation, and team leadership.

• Orchestrated a cross-functional team of 12, launching a new product line that generated $1M in sales
• Re-platformed from Magento to Shopify, managing vendor selection, project management, 3PL/IMS integration and achieved a 72% cost reduction and grew DTC channels by 201% in 3 years
• Devised a targeted email marketing strategy, optimizing subject lines and call-to-actions; achieved a 20xROI, increasing click-through rates and overall sales
• Elevated Shopify website's SEO and SEM performance, achieving a 25% increase in organic search traﬃc and a 20% enhancement in site visibility within a three-month period
• Diversiﬁed sales channels, achieving 50% revenue growth by optimizing promotional strategies and leveraging ERP integration for operational eﬃciency
• Restructured agile development workﬂow, leading to a 40% reduction in time-to-market and boosting site engagement through strategic and continuous roadmap enhancements

Head of Ecommerce

The Coca-Cola Company

Business System Analyst

➯15 years of executive leadership in eCommerce and digital strategy
➯ Scaled up an eCommerce business from zero to 7 figures in annual revenue, achieving a 120% ROI on exit.
➯Boosted KPIs (ROI, ROAS, CAC, LTV) through data-driven strategies:
• Increased DTC eCommerce gross sales by 202%, repeat customer revenue by 157%, and new customer revenue by 81%
• Reduced new customer acquisition cost by 76% and eCommerce platform costs by 69%
➯ Administered a $500K Meta Ads campaign, boosting ad visibility by 44%, click-to-conversion rates by 27%, and ROI by 150% through advanced analytics and budget optimization.
➯ Led a 20-person team in managing account, marketing, content, inventory, analytics, customer service, design, compliance, and SEO; drove 178% YoY revenue growth for DTC sales on Amazon & Shopify.
➯ Transformed omni-channel brand identity into a compelling digital journey, driving a 40% increase in user engagement, 25% rise in customer loyalty, and 48% sales growth within six months
➯Managed Shopify store with 100,000+ monthly visitors. Used Google Analytics (GA4) to track user behavior and optimize site for conversions, resulting in a 20% increase in average order value
➯Ensured operational excellence in airfreight shipments and customs clearance across EMEA, Europe, and the USA, achieving 98% on-time delivery and avoiding delays or extra costs for time-sensitive import/export goods.

If you catch me outside of work, I'm an adventurous traveler and an avid lover of tennis and football.
I also enjoy connecting with new people over a cup of coffee. Please feel free to reach out to me at sertacyam@gmail.com

Skills: E-commerce, DTC (D2C), B2C, B2B Sales Growth, Brand Strategy, Social Media, Digital & Omni-Channel, PPC Strategy, Cross-cultural Adaptation, Team Leadership, Stakeholder Management, Strategic Planning, Marketing Strategy, Shopify, Amazon, Etsy, Magento, WooCommerce, Google Ads, Amazon Ads, Meta Ads - Facebook, Instagram, TikTok Ads, CRM, ERP, Email Marketing, A/B Testing, Sales Forecasting, Reporting, 3PL, Import/Export Operations & Regulations, SEO & SEM, Google Analytics (GA4), Google Analytics 360, C-Suite Communication & Presentation Skills

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Colton Kaplan

Sertac Yaman

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The Battle

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