I am excited to announce that Philip Rooke, our VP and Managing Director of Shop Partner and Direct to Customer businesses, will be promoted to the Management Board to support Spreadshirt’s continued growth. Over the past year, Phil has applied his extensive ecommerce experience from Skinstore and Tesco to improve growth across both businesses. One result for our shop partners has been a 45% increase in number of products sold per partner. Ensuring our partners success is one of our top priorities. We are grateful Phil has joined the team and congratulate him on his accomplishments and promotion.
The next part of this message is difficult for me to write, as it was a difficult decision that was made over months of discussions and deliberations: I will be leaving Spreadshirt. I will remain as CEO for a transition period, and our Supervisory Board will immediately begin an international search for a new CEO. I anticipate a smooth and logical transition, as Spreadshirt has a strong management team (one example shown above) that works closely together.
It has been an amazing and rewarding experience to serve on Spreadshirt’s Management Board for the past 4 years, and as CEO for over 3 years, as the company nearly doubled in size. I am and will remain one of the biggest supporters of the Spreadshirt business and the team. The vision we set out over the past few years remains an exciting and large opportunity. Spreadshirt will stay focused on continuous improvement and innovation in the areas of print-on-demand and personalized apparel. To use a quote from one of my favorite books… “Oh, the places you will go…”, and I can’t wait to see them.
Thanks to Spreadshirt employees, management team members, Supervisory Board, customers and partners for four wonderful years!
- Jana
Kristina
Dave
Temple
jana, i know you will take dr. seuss’ storyline to a whole new level. my world has been enhanced by having the opportunity to work with you (& the spreadshirt team!). i look forward to following your new adventures as they unfold. hugs & hearts.
Best of luck Jana! It was great to meet you last year and hopefully you'll be running the ironman soon! cheers,
andrew
Jana… you did an incredible job … on all fronts, revenue growth, organizational development, partnership, customer experience, demand generation, branding. The company was extremely lucky to have you and will suffer because you won't be there at the helm, regardless of how strong the management team is.
Best of luck!
Jana,
I love the same book! Two other great nuggets:
“Out there things can happen and frequently do to people as brainy and footsy as you.”
“You’ll find the bright places where Boom Bands are playing. With banner flip-flapping, once more you’ll ride high! Ready for anything under the sky. Ready because you’re that kind of a guy!”
You leave a great mark (bad pun, but it's true) on Spreadshirt!
Linda Natansohn
COO, Meetcha.com
Jana, congratulations on all the success you have had at Spreadshirt. Good luck in the transition and in your next venture. Des
Sad to see that Jana! Best of luck! I hope we'll stay in touch nevertheless!
Carmen
Carmen, Desmond, Linda, Steve and Andrew, Thanks for the kind notes. I know you all understand this is a tough time, as the company, the business and the team mean a great deal to me. But tough decisions have to be made at times, and onwards and upwards for us all! Again, Spreadshirt has a terrific management team and overall team, and is in a great business. There is plenty of fun and success ahead for all of us to have!
OK Jana, I will be standing by to learn where I can next expect to see you surface and continue to inspire me. “Same class act, new place” is how I will see it. Hard decision I am sure, but being CEO is nothing but hard decisions at times.
Jana -I have no doubt great new things await you in your next chapter. You have accomplished great things.
Good Luck, very sorry you`re leaving.
Jay