Chris Essler

Professional Background

Chris Essler is a seasoned sales executive with over 20 years of experience across multiple industries, exhibiting remarkable versatility and adaptability. His impressive career includes pivotal roles in leading startups and growth-stage firms primarily within the technology and alternative medicine sectors. Through strategic foresight and a hands-on approach, Chris has guided numerous organizations from their inception to successful profitable exits, showcasing his deep understanding of the dynamics that drive business growth and success.

Chris's ability to craft and implement effective go-to-market (GTM) strategies is one of his key strengths. He has consistently surpassed revenue targets while expanding market reach in various technology verticals. His strategic initiatives have not only solidified market presence but have also enabled the acquisition of top-tier clients. Moreover, Chris has effectively navigated several successful acquisitions, securing substantial venture capital funding that has propelled his companies forward. He takes pride in fostering strong cross-functional alignment within his teams, ensuring that every department works in concert towards shared goals.

His diverse experience spans multiple roles wherein he has demonstrated exceptional leadership and strategic sales management acumen. With a profound capability in key account relationship management, Chris effectively nurtures client partnerships that lead to sustained business growth. His expertise shines in new product and channel development, as well as in negotiating and collaborating with brand partners to maximize reach and impact.

Education and Achievements

Chris holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in History from Stonehill College, where he developed analytical and critical-thinking skills that have benefitted him in his professional endeavors. His ability to assess market trends and consumer behavior through a historical lens has informed many of his successful strategies in sales and marketing.

Over the course of his career, Chris has held several high-profile positions with an impressive track record of achievements. Notably, he was the Founder of Straight7, Inc., where he was instrumental in bringing the company to fruition. His leadership capabilities were further demonstrated as the Executive Director of National Brand Sales at Trulieve, marking a notable period of growth and market expansion. Previously, as the Senior Vice President of Sales & Brand Development at Cura Cannabis Solutions, he was pivotal in steering the company towards significant market capture and revenue growth.

His tenure as Vice President of Sales at both Datto, Inc. and Backupify (which was acquired by Datto) further exemplifies Chris's prowess in establishing and driving sales initiatives that yield exceptional results. He has also significantly contributed to Onshape Inc. as Vice President of Inside Sales and held director-level positions at Axceler, where he oversaw sales in key regions including North America and APAC. In these roles, he exhibited a capacity for scaling operations and penetrating new markets.

Notable Contributions

Among his notable contributions to the fields of IT Technology and SaaS, Chris has emerged as a thought leader in early-stage startup growth, particularly in the direct-to-consumer (D2C), business-to-business (B2B), and product-led growth (PLG) sectors. His expertise in cultivating freemium experiences has helped companies dramatically improve customer acquisition and retention rates.

Additionally, his work as a Founding Investor at Lord Hobo Brewing Company demonstrates his entrepreneurial spirit and knack for identifying promising ventures beyond technology. He understands the nuances of building a brand from the ground up, a skill he has also applied to his roles in the fast-growing alternative medicine sector.

Chris is committed to continued professional growth and staying at the forefront of industry trends, which reflects in his participation in high-level forums and networking opportunities. He is readily accessible via LinkedIn for anyone interested in connecting or exploring potential collaborations.

Overall, Chris Essler's extensive background in strategic planning and execution, coupled with a wealth of experience in various operational capacities, positions him as a formidable asset in any organization looking to thrive and grow in today's competitive landscape. His combination of leadership, market insight, and dedicated team-building makes him an invaluable resource in the sales and brand development arena.