Susan Peterson

2059 Edgewood SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546

P: 616.949.5335
C: 616.446.6833

email: diane@cjonesgroup.com
cjonesgroup.com

Susan Peterson

Susan Peterson has more than 30 years of experience in the gift and home industries. Her extensive knowledge of the retail landscape comes from her corporate experience with Goebel, Enesco and Schmid.

As an independent consultant, she has successfully advised her clients on a variety of matters pertaining to start-up ventures: product positioning, e-commerce initiatives, and sales force development. By identifying the proper mix of advertising and public relations methods, she helps her clients create a distinctive image to differentiate products and services among retailers and consumers. Susan has worked closely with several prestigious companies including: Christopher Radko, Madame Alexander Dolls, Anheuser-Busch, eBay, Van Mark, Cow Parade, The Jimmy Fund (children’s cancer charity in Boston), NeQwa Art, Herrington Teddy Bears, Vida Valentia, National Geographic, Charisma Brands and Wee Forest Folks. She has also consulted with a number of e-commerce companies.

Susan began her career at Schmid. Her career accelerated quickly from National Sales Manager to Vice President of Sales and Marketing, then Vice President Marketing. During her tenure, Susan was the primary marketing strategist for M.I.Hummel, Anri Woodcarvings and such prestigious license-directed lines as Beatrix Potter and Disney giftware. She spearheaded the team, which brought the Disney Classics Collection to market, and drove sales from startup to $25 Million in the first two years with a 50 percent gross profit margin - an achievement she describes as a “career milestone.”

Susan served as Vice President of Marketing for Enesco. At Enesco, she was charged with launching The International Collections Division, focusing on home decor products. She left Enesco to join Goebel of North America as Vice President of Marketing. Her most significant responsibilities at Goebel were to initially develop and launch the Looney Toons Spotlight Collection and re-establish the M.I.Hummel brand in the retail market.

An active member in industry events, Susan has participated in the industry’s key steering committees. She was an elected board member of the National Association of Limited Edition Dealers, President of the Gift and Collectibles Guild, and Member of the Advisory Board for the annual Unity Marketing Business Executive conferences. She established the first industry eBay Summit and participated in future eBay Summits as an industry specialist and guest speaker.

Susan was honored with the coveted Lee Benson Award - the collectibles industry’s highest honor. She is recognized in the industry as a driving force. Her vision, expertise and perspective have been an invaluable resource to the broad gift and home industries. She has significant experience and contacts throughout the industry, all of which she brings to her consulting practice. She has counseled many companies on their strategic direction, as well as positioning their brands. Her goal is to provide comprehensive consulting through identification of the corporation’s foundation, beliefs and vision.