MATTHEW BEESON
Baton Rouge,LA
Summary
OCT 2016-present I possess both technical and creative talent, and a wide swath of disparate capabilities. I seek to further develop my career with a team that embraces challenges requiring both the technical and the creative sides of problem solving, invention, and service. I started my own company (currently transitioning it to a side hustle), and as an entrepreneur I have a new appreciation for team players who adopt and promote a company’s goals.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Owner
SWAMP DRAGON, L.L.C.
10.2016 - Current
- Invented the world’s only liquor hot sauce, and started my own business
- Doubled annual revenues until The Shutdown
- Established foundational processes for business operations
- As with many founders, I performed every job function. I managed day-to-day business operations, including:
- Conducted market study and formed strategy for branding and market positioning
- Designed the branding, including original artwork from concept to full digital deployment, designed to appeal to the world’s largest grocery purchase decision makers, women, and to interest future decision makers, youth
- Secured federal T.T.B
- NonBeverage approval, enabling sale of liquor hot sauce to all ages in all markets
- Built and deployed company I.T
- Systems (Mac-based with Synology
- NAS to allow for mobile business continuity in emergency.) with near zero
- I.T.-related down time
- Secured all 3rd party investment, ~$350,000.00 over 5 years, thus making it possible to even pursue the business
- Designed and deployed the website
- Established and executed bookkeeping system
- With help from former state senator Dan Claitor, and later Rep. Garrett Graves, secured the world’s only manufacturer liquor license for the purpose of hot sauce production
- Secured patent on hot sauce preserved with liquor or alcohol
- Researched equipment and developed production/bottling process
- Optimized processes enabling production line capacity between 800,000 to 1MM bottles per year using equipment that in total cost less than $10,000.00
- Designed all packaging, including not just artwork and graphic design as described above, but also materials and vendors
- Evaluated suppliers to improve and maintain cost controls and improve operations and product quality.
- Secured a manufacturer direct relationship for 5 ounce plastic bottles, the use of which dramatically reduced shipping costs through decreased weight and packing materials
- Decreased production costs due to no glass breakage and the attendant down time for area quarantine/cleanup
- Lower unit cost than glass allowed Swamp Dragon to be price competitive in a dense market., Switched from adhesive labels to heat shrink labels, the advantages of which are many, from durability to more label area for printed information to dramatically decreased production costs through much less expensive labeling equipment
- Secured state health approvals and city/parish permit after buildout to change usage from light office to manufacturing
- Registered facility with FDA, and secured GMP certification, more robust than FDA standards, thus opening doors for prospects such as Buc-ees, DesignPac, and others who require enhanced safety standards for their risk mitigation
- Secured professional national brand management and broker relationships
- Placed Swamp Dragon hot sauces in nearly 100 locations in under 10 months
- Won earned national press and national TV exposure in the first year of production
- Set up and executed all social media properties, including
- Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, TikTok, and deployed Klaviyo for social media management
- Created all content therein
- Secured all retail placements, currently over 1,000, including H-E-B, Rouses, Winn-Dixie, Festival Foods
- Woodman’s, and many more.
Director of Operations
Cassie Felder & Associates
09.2013 - 03.2016
- Oversaw and executed day-to-day activities and every administration and management function for small law firm
- Analyzed business operations and implemented standards for client selection, and drafted the company engagement letter, realizing significant malpractice insurance savings, and enhancing client understanding and retention
- Monitored and coached team members to foster productivity
- Instrumental in personnel selection and hiring/firing
- Developed systems and procedures to improve operational quality and team efficiency
- Improved, streamlined, and standardized all operations, and replaced entire I.T system realizing dramatic cash and opportunity cost savings through near zero down time, and simpler software for firm needs
- Learned Quickbooks Online and corrected the financial records, thus facilitating a successful merger with a larger firm
Owner
BEESON AUDIOVISUAL CONSULTING
04.2012 - 09.2013
- Commercial audiovisual systems consultation and independent contracting project management
- Delivered outstanding service to clients to maintain and extend business relationships
- Job estimation, bid preparation, and specification drafting
- Functional system diagrams in 2D CAD for audiovisual integration companies.
Account Executive
TECHNICAL SERVICES GROUP
06.2010 - 03.2012
- Commercial audio video systems design, including precise system and business specifications and conceptual flow diagrams
- Checked over the work of other sales professionals, and advised and trained the sales manager
- Helped revitalize company sales volume and presence.
- Built and strengthened relationships with new and existing accounts to drive revenue growth.
- Attended networking events to build relationships and identify sales opportunities.
- Gained understanding of goals, objectives and processes to meet client business needs.
Estimator
FORD AUDIO VIDEO
05.2009 - 08.2009
- Designed technical concept and cost estimation for commercial audio video systems for every prospect in branch territory for Austin and surrounding area
- Presented the technical side of sales proposals to prospective clients, and coordinated with all stakeholders, including owners, architects, general contractors, and internal staff
- Clients included Fortune 500 companies, city governments, state agencies, major universities, and large-scale churches
- Projects ranged in value from $10,000.00 to over $1 million.
- Participated in pre-bid meetings and site visits to understand project scope and identify potential issues or challenges.
- Gathered cost and material data for accurate and up-to-date information on material and labor costs.
- Reviewed project plans and specifications to understand project requirements and accurately estimate cost and resources needed.
- Tracked project costs and expenses to monitor progress and identify and mitigate deviations from original estimate.
Project Manager
AUDIO VISUAL INNOVATIONS
08.2006 - 05.2008
- Oversaw and scheduled design, engineering, and installation staff to install audio visual systems with critical attention to architectural detail, building codes, and client needs
- Developed new procedures to streamline labor and timelines to enhance performance and profit
- Completed approximately 30 jobs ranging in size from several thousand dollars to over $200,000.00
- Cultivated a culture of client confidence and employee trust and performance.
- Planned, designed, and scheduled phases for large projects.
- Monitored project performance to identify areas of improvement and make adjustments.
- Met project deadlines without sacrificing build quality or workplace safety.
- Provided detailed project status updates to stakeholders and executive management.
- Coordinated material procurement and required services for projects within budget requirements.
- Managed projects from procurement to commission.
Sales Engineer
INTERSTATE ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS
06.2004 - 05.2005
- Designed commercial audiovisual systems and produced sales proposals with precise, legally enforceble and scope-defining language.
- Analyzed market trends, competitor performance and product strengths.
- Reviewed customer inquiries to understand project scope while managing internal delivery mechanisms.
- Delivered technical sales presentations to prospects and presented benefits and value of products.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - ENGLISH, CREATIVE WRITING
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA05.2004
No Degree - Audio Production
Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences
Tempe, AZ08.1997
JURIS DOCTOR - undefined
Tulane University School of Law
Orleans, La2009
Skills
- Product Branding
- Bidding Process
- Operations Management
- Effective Communicator and Public Speaker
- Marketing and Advertising
- Innovative and Visionary
- Analytical and Critical Thinker
- Marketing
- Project Estimating
- Project Management
- Approachable and Outgoing
- Project Oversight
Accomplishments
Invented the most novel and best tasting hot sauce (liquor hot sauce) in the world, and won the patent for the product. I created a company to market the product, and in under 6 years had well over 1000 retail placements.
Co-hosted a fundraiser live music show for the Ochsner Neuromedical Institute. It was a tribute to Neil Peart of Rush. I played the drums and oversaw workflow and promotions. We raised over $3,500.00, paid directly to the institute, and played to a nearly sold-out crowd.
Additional Information
- 2022 LED LANTERN AWARD Excellence in Manufacturing, East Baton Rouge Parish 2018 SCOVIE AWARDS Too many to list, including Grand Prize for
Affiliations
BRAC, LABI
Timeline
Owner
SWAMP DRAGON, L.L.C.
10.2016 - Current
Director of Operations
Cassie Felder & Associates
09.2013 - 03.2016
Owner
BEESON AUDIOVISUAL CONSULTING
04.2012 - 09.2013
Account Executive
TECHNICAL SERVICES GROUP
06.2010 - 03.2012
Estimator
FORD AUDIO VIDEO
05.2009 - 08.2009
Project Manager
AUDIO VISUAL INNOVATIONS
08.2006 - 05.2008
Sales Engineer
INTERSTATE ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS
06.2004 - 05.2005
Bachelor of Arts - ENGLISH, CREATIVE WRITING
Louisiana State University
No Degree - Audio Production
Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences
JURIS DOCTOR - undefined
Tulane University School of Law
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