Randy Eller
Kathy Krassner -- Gifts and Dec, 8/21/2010 8:00:25 AM
Randy Eller
Since its founding in 1992, Gift for Life - the gift and home industries' charitable organization in partnership with DIFFA: the Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS - has raised more than $4 million dollars to help fund research and education to fight AIDS.
Each year, Gift for Life selects an individual who has had a significant, positive impact on our industry, and presents them with its prestigious Industry Achievement Award. Past honorees have included industry luminaries such as Eugene Freedman, Bert Tonkin and many others.
This year, Gift for Life has chosen Randy Eller, owner of Eller Enterprises, as its 2010 Gift for Life Industry Achievement Award recipient. Randy Eller's 35-year career in the gift and home industry includes 10 years as a retailer; 10 years as a road salesperson; 10 years as president, CEO and co-owner of CBK and the last five years as a consultant, author and professional speaker.
CBK’s first temporary show booth.
After spending 10 years as a retailer, Randy joined Russ Berrie and Co., where he honed his skills as a salesperson; training other salespeople became a part of his duties. He eventually advanced to become vice-president of marketing.
In 1987, seeking new opportunity, Randy moved on to join CBK - an importer and wholesaler of home décor. At that time, the company was only large enough to support one temporary show booth at the New York International Gift Fair and he was CBK's first company-employed salesperson. With Randy's help, from that single temporary booth, CBK grew to move into permanent showrooms across the country.
At CBK, Randy's career flourished. He traveled to Asia with CBK founder Bob Kirkland to help develop product for the company, merchandise for which the company came to be known. Randy became CBK's president, CEO, and ultimately, in 1995, a partner in the business.
Randy with Vicki Zill, left, and his daughter Michelle.|
Randy is a leader; his leadership was instrumental in the many changes that brought CBK to the forefront of the industry. Observes Eric Dean, president of Whereoware: "Randy is one of the most creative and critical thinkers in our industry. But what makes him unique is his ability to find the nugget of importance in a situation, find a solution and then clearly articulate a plan and path."
Following CBK's sale to Blythe Inc. in 2002, Randy left the company after 20 successful years. He then founded his own industry consulting firm, Eller Enterprises in 2004, along with his longtime assistant Vicki Zill and his daughter Michelle. Eller Enterprises serves companies and individuals primarily within the home accent, furniture and giftware industries.
On the speaking circuit, Randy shares his expertise.
Randy on one of his early trips to China.
The firm also provides personal executive coaching, professional speaking, and mergers-and-acquisitions advice to clients in a variety of industries, valuable services to which David Kiersznowski, owner of Demdaco, can attest. "Randy has guided us through several major strategic decisions in the past five years. Randy cares about our industry as much as anyone I know, and he works tirelessly to seek the health of all involved in the gift industry."
The Eller family
Additionally, Randy is a former board member of the Accessories Resource Team (ART) and an active member of the Gift and Home Trade Association, National Federation of Independent Businesses and the National Speakers Association; as well as a supporter of The 3/50 Project and, of course, Gift for Life. "As the industry's number-one charity effort, I feel we all have an obligation to ‘give back' to an industry that has enhanced our lives," he notes.
Randy is very humbled to receive Gift for Life's Industry Achievement Award from an industry and peer group for which he has so much respect.
- Kathy Krassner
Click here to read A Conversation with Randy Eller.
We would love your feedback!
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UPDATE: Gift for Life to Honor Eller at REAs
May 24, 2010 -
Figi Receives Icon Lifetime Honor
Apr 14, 2011 -
Gift for Life Changes Leadership, Expands Board
Mar 24, 2011 -
GHTA Charity Golf Tournament
Oct 19, 2010
VIEW ALL GALLERIES
