Summary

Overview

Work History

Education

Skills

Executive Value Proposition

Industry Experience

Technology And Tools

Professional Engagement And Personal Interests

Timeline

Steven Michael Riester

Southern California

Summary

Results-oriented sales and business development leader with over 15 years of experience in driving revenue growth for founder-led and growth-stage companies. Expertise in assessing sales performance, eliminating inefficiencies, and implementing systems that enhance conversion and scalability. Skilled in closing high-value opportunities and aligning operations with client expectations in the automotive, fitness, and high-end residential design-build sectors.

Overview

years of professional experience

Work History

President / Fractional Sales & Management Consultant

Riester LLC

Southern California

08.2019 - Current

Engage initially as a sales consultant, embedding within daily operations to evaluate sales processes, client interactions, and organizational workflows
Develop and implement end-to-end sales processes that convert, nurture, and track leads into qualified, paying clients
Identify gaps in sales systems, uncover bottlenecks, and implement structured solutions to improve conversion rates, efficiency, and scalability
Optimize sales strategies, pipelines, and client management systems, incorporating AI-driven tools to enhance forecasting, communication, and performance tracking
Led client meetings, negotiations, and deal execution as company-facing sales leader, enhancing revenue and client trust
Align company capabilities with the expectations of high-income and high-net-worth clients, particularly within luxury residential and design-build environments
Lead hiring, training, and coaching of sales staff, building accountability, consistency, and performance-driven team cultures
Deliver sales leadership and operational support for founder-led and growth-stage businesses.
Increased project capacity for a luxury remodeling firm from 2 to 6 major projects annually by implementing structured sales processes, improving client qualification, and strengthening close rates
Partnered with custom jewelry designers to define brand identity, target market, and customer positioning, while implementing sales systems that enabled recurring and passive revenue growth
Support rebranding, repositioning, and growth initiatives, enabling businesses to shift from reactive operations to structured, goal-oriented organizations
Demonstrate leadership in gemstones, automotive facilities, and fitness operations, specializing in design-build firms and luxury remodeling for high-end residential markets
Building toward the development of a dedicated business development team operating as a plug-in sales division for custom home and remodeling companies, supported by ongoing certification in AI-driven business tools and leadership applications.

Vice President, Sales & Project Management

Cable Art Incorporated

01.2014 - 08.2019

Directed company-wide sales strategy, operations, and project management within the architectural supply and construction markets.
Led complex architectural supply projects from initial consultation through delivery, including site walks, estimates, blueprint analysis, and job costing.
Negotiated custom residential and commercial bids with architects, general contractors, and end clients, increasing revenue and contract awards.
Demonstrated deep industry immersion by mastering product lines, services, and customer requirements to improve win rates and client trust.
Drove sustained revenue growth, operational scalability, and improved delivery performance while building a strong internal leadership bench.
Scaled organization from 3 to 15 employees, enabling warehouse expansion and enhancing operational capacity.
Built and mentored management-level teams, fostering cross-department collaboration and enhancing overall team morale.
Implemented process improvements that streamlined workflows, reduced project timelines, and increased customer satisfaction.