Hi, I’m
In software startups, the leap from nothing to something requires persistence, adaptability, and vision—and as an early employee and eventual leader at two SaaS companies I've played a critical role in getting from 0 to 1.
From farm system management to desk-worker well-being, I’ve been fortunate to live out my personal mandate to build world-positive transformative technologies with craft and attention to detail alongside amazing people.
Highlights
Head of Product @ Bright Breaks
President and VP of Product @ Tend
Designer @ Global GIving
From IC to President: 15+ years of experience across roles, domains, and teams.
So, why bring me on your team?
Influential Collaborator
Energized Problem-Solver
Focusing on the root problem, opinionated but solution agnostic
Talking to customers to make sure we're building for them
Integrating diverse stakeholder perspectives
Execution-Focused Player-Coach
Pursuing highest-leverage opportunities
Running experiments to test hypotheses
Choreographing workflows
My unique style
As a certified and practicing coach, I am passionate about supporting people to up-level in work and life.
I've always worked in exec-level startup roles, giving me an owner's mindset.
Being first and foremost a designer, I think about how to validate and solve problems elegantly and economically.
Outcomes
I thrive when I can identify high-leverage opportunities, and go after them.
Here are a handful of many outcomes I've helped deliver over the last 15 years.
GTM/Growth
Led effort to close 94% ARR in 38 days vs. prior three quarters
Secured a strategic influencer partnership that contributed to 54% of new customer acquisition across the US, Europe, and Australia
Iterated product and pricing strategy to reduce churn by 19% and increase quarterly ARR 250%
Growth Workshops
Partnerships
Go-to-Market Strategy
Product
Oversaw two 0-1 end-to-end SaaS products growing revenue from $0-$250k, and doubling revenue, respectively
Oversaw research, design, and launch of 10+ features across Mobile and Web resulting in 3x customer growth
Defined “habit-forming” metric and drove initiatives that led to a 66% increase in 3-month user retention
Continuous Discovery
Customer Lifecycle
Acquisition Funnels
Growth
Customer Research
Data Analysis
Customer Interviews
Survey Techniques
A/B Testing
Design
Designed a flagship feature that recommends a daily break into users’ calendars, contributing to a 36% increase in WAU rate
Researched, designed, user-tested and shipped #1 most-used feature, driving over 60% of active user engagement
Built a brand and co-led a rebrand while navigating trademark issues
Prototyping and User Testing
Brand Development
Customer Lifecycle funnels
User Journey Maps
Workflow Diagrams
Figma
HTML/CSS
Leadership, Management & Executive Influence
Grow a startup team team from 2 to 7, and was a liaison to engineering team of 20 in Vietnam
Strategic advisor to CEO, supporting 3 years of investor communications and strategic and tactical decisions
Managed day-to-day product operations, collaborating closely with Sales, Customer Success (CS), and the executive team to iterate to an 18% increase in first 30-day retention over six months
Metrics Definition & Reporting
Investor Memos
Team Lead
Executive Thought Partner
Kind Words
I'm grateful to have worked with fantastic teammates who challenge and celebrate each other.
“It was important to me to create a great team, similar to how you did with Tend. I focused a lot on those qualities to improve for my next opportunity.”
Role: President & VP of Product
Jesse Bodas
Senior UX/UI Designer, Tend
“Robert has everything we need: high trust, high integrity, big motor, good judgment, and high intelligence.
Plus, it’s a joy working together.”
Role: Head of Product, IC
David Howe
Co-Founder and CEO, Bright Breaks
“I can only think of you when I see this post! Keep up the good work.”
Having a good boss can literally change your life.
Role: President & VP of Product
Katherine Haines
Product Manager, Tend
—
2024