Hello and thank you for visiting my web site.
Yes, that's me with Governor Kaine of Virginia...sometimes you are in the right place at the right time.
Hi, I'm Steve Willinger, a Small Business Development Coach and Speaker.
I have worked in sales, marketing, business development and business growth strategies for more than 30 years. I did this for both large and small companies from ITT Corporation to Marshall Machinery and Fortune International to The Corner Dog House. For the past 3 years I have focused my attention on entrepreneurs, self-employed professionals and small business marketing. My experience and passion for marketing lead to the formation of my Bristol based company; "A Marketing Guy".
When most people first meet me they feel a comfortable connection and choose to get better acquainted. This attraction is a result of my concern and genuine desire to help others, to contribute my talents and share my abundant resources. This desire has led to my success in guiding others in meeting their sales and marketing challenges. Years of training, experience, on-going research and perhaps a “sixth sense” have given me the exceptional ability to quickly discern obstacles and offer solutions.
Early in my career, I enjoyed great success in marketing and management with ITT, a world leader in telecommunications and was promoted to head up the Baltimore/ Washington sales office. An opportunity to move into a Regional position led me to 15 years in sales and marketing of industrial machinery. My unprecedented success moved the company from $500,000 to $6,000,000 in annual sales!
Next, as National Sales Manager for Fortune, I managed the marketing and distributor development functions for this international manufacturer of CNC machine tools. My assignment was to grow the distributor network throughout the US and Canada and dramatically improve the distributor/builder relationship and of course, grow sales. I established an in-house financial group, implemented a corporate-wide CRM system and developed innovative marketing and advertising strategies that included a NHRA Funny Car sponsorship!
Today, as a marketing consultant, I have continued to hone my skills to better serve the community and business professionals who want to optimize their sales and marketing efforts. Presently, as ‘a marketing guy’, I combine my experience, abilities and keen appreciation for technology to seek out self-employed professionals and service business owners who are looking for successful strategies to attract new clients and increase their earnings.
I have the priviledge of being the Chairman of the Bristol Chapter of SCORE and a founding member of the VDBA Entrepreneur Express team serving SW VA.. Other community and regional volunteer positions include being a Member of the VDBA Entrepreneur Express Advisory Team, ETSU Advisory Council, an appointed member of the Bristol TN Industrial Development Board, a member of the Johnson City, Washington County and Bristol Chambers of Commerce and Board Member of the Crisis Center, Bristol, VA