Dan Kaessmodel
Summary
Results-driven Senior Business Developer & Operations Leader with 15+ years of experience in cross-border growth, fundraising, and strategic scaling. Proven track record of securing $25M+ in investments, optimizing operations for startups/franchises, and leading high-performing teams. Experienced in cross boarder business expansion, consultative selling, and compliance.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Consultant
Independent
01.2024 - Current
- Guide clients through operational challenges, enhancing efficiency and compliance
- Facilitate China-US business operations, securing necessary licenses and meeting regulations
- Support clients in establishing US entities, ensuring seamless Amazon compliance
- Resolve cross-border operational issues, achieving measurable improvements in client processes
Operations Director
Lu's Wok and Franchise, Inc.
Marlton, NJ
09.2022 - 12.2023
- Led start-up formation to franchise Lu's Wok, achieving business expansion goals
- Integrated MarketMan software, enhancing inventory management and reducing food waste
- Trained management, boosting operational efficiency and accuracy in restaurant processes
- Collaborated with chef to standardize recipes, preparing for franchise training manual
- Drafted a comprehensive 3-year business plan to secure investor interest and funding, emphasis on building a scalable business model that is tailored for franchise
- Spearheaded operational improvements at Lu's Wok, introducing new technologies to boost efficiency
- Developed creative solutions to address franchise challenges
Managing Director
Ferrante & Partners, Inc.
New York / Chengdu
07.2015 - 08.2022
- Led consulting firm, boosting revenue by 25% annually and expanding team from 4 to 20 members
- Guided a U.S. VR gaming accessory company through crowdfunding, coordinating US-China audit teams
- EUCCC Southwest Chamber contributor on Position Paper, advocating for policy reforms to improve business conditions for international companies, providing stakeholder advocacy, policy analysis and member engagement supports
- Mentored in Lean-in China, fostering career growth in Women in Business program
- Created marketing strategies and recruited staff, enhancing team capabilities
- Developed training programs for international interns, enriching cultural exchange
Managing Director
Ferrante Law Firm
New York
08.2010 - 06.2015
- Directed early development of Sino-American JV in Chengdu, later known as Ferrante & Partners Ltd
- Conducted comprehensive market analysis across key cities in China, informing strategic decisions
- Led real estate operations, optimizing commercial rentals and property management
- Managed attorney performance metrics, streamlining billable hours reporting
- Spearheaded recruitment initiatives, collaborating with in-house teams and external agencies to attract top talent and strengthen the firm's workforce
- Optimized financial operations by managing key accounts payable and receivable, ensuring timely transactions and maintaining robust financial health
Exclusive Representative/China Market (Seasonal)
Rivera Holdings, A EB-5 Development Company
Miami, Florida
02.2012 - 12.2014
- Successfully raised more than 25 million dollars in EB-5 funding
- Represented Florida based real estate developer in two (2) EB-5 based fundraising projects to seek investors in China
- Spearheaded EB-5 fundraising projects, securing over $25 million for Florida real estate developments
- Toured Tier-1 cities in China(Shenzhen, Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Hangzhou) with developers to meet with local agents, one-on-one meetings with potential investors to explain complex EB-5 structure to meet both immigration and business requirements, effectively communicating EB-5 structure to diverse stakeholders
Office Manager
Ferrante Law Firm
New York
07.2007 - 08.2010
Legal Assistant
Ferrante Law Firm
New York
05.2004 - 07.2007
Education
Bachelor's - Fashion Merchandising Management
Fashion Institute of Technology
New York, USA05.2004
Skills
- Project Management: Jira
- QSR inventory management: Market Man
- Office Productivity: Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Microsoft 365 Online
- Time and Billing Software: Timeslips
- Accounting Software: QuickBooks (Desktop and Cloud)
- Issue resolution
- Project leadership
- Attention to detail
- Organizational development
- Client relationships
- Team leadership & development
- Problem-solving
Languages
English (near-native)
Chinese (native)
German (A2 Certificate)
Professional Activities
- SEP 2019 Training / Intensive Workshop on Intercultural Management for the entire managerial staff of the Dutch diplomatic mission in Asia.
- Nov 2018 Contributor of EUCCC Southwest Position Paper 2018/2019
- 2018-2021 Speaker/ Empowering Women(Non-for-profit)at Lean-in China
- Mentor - Career Development Program at Woman in Business
Timeline
Consultant
Independent
01.2024 - Current
Operations Director
Lu's Wok and Franchise, Inc.
09.2022 - 12.2023
Managing Director
Ferrante & Partners, Inc.
07.2015 - 08.2022
Exclusive Representative/China Market (Seasonal)
Rivera Holdings, A EB-5 Development Company
02.2012 - 12.2014
Managing Director
Ferrante Law Firm
08.2010 - 06.2015
Office Manager
Ferrante Law Firm
07.2007 - 08.2010
Legal Assistant
Ferrante Law Firm
05.2004 - 07.2007
Bachelor's - Fashion Merchandising Management
Fashion Institute of Technology