"You will never discover new oceans unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore" - Andre Gide
"You will never discover new oceans unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore" - Andre Gide
At Elevation Incubator we have a passion for start-up companies and smaller brands with unique brand positioning. We help companies develop the most effective, actionable plans to maximize the best chance of success in a highly competitive retail market.
Marilynn Martin is an accomplished Sales and Marketing Business Executive with a proven track record for growth on many well known consumer brands. She has over 30 years of experience helping companies vet out opportunities and pitfalls for brand launch and avoiding costly mistakes. She is highly motivated and experienced in developing and implementing sales and marketing growth business plans. The companies Marilynn has supported are from start-ups to midsize and large Fortune 100 corporations. A few start-up brands she has worked with over the years are Zone Perfect, Truth Bar and Liquid IV to name a few. To her, managing the uniqueness of the brand proposition is essential to the success of preparing a business for the retail market. Her passion and expertise lie in building the start-up and smaller brands into bigger, formidable brands.
She got her start in Brand & Sales Management having worked for SKB, Lederle/Wyeth , Reckitt-Benckiser, Walt Disney Consumer Products and in January 2017 she retired from The Emerson Group, as a Senior Partner with 19 years experience helping to build brands. Marilynn most recently was the CEO at The Truth Bar LLC.. She has worked and managed cross-functional teams in sales, trade marketing, brand management and new business development. Her sales expertise is calling on all retailers, however, a core competency is working with Costco and Target which she has done for the last 25+ years.
We help to build new business sales implementation plans through our in-depth knowledge of the retail landscape. Each project is tailored to the uniqueness of the brand and is based on our client's needs, objectives and capabilities. Below are the services we offer:
Business Strategy
The Brand Recipe
The Launch Plan
Channel Business Development
Sales Support Framework
Project Management Strategy
“Marilynn is both a work horse and a perceptive strategic thinker. In short, she is a great collaborator, patient mentor and only a fool would stand in her path. If you’re fortunate enough to have her represent your brand, she will bring you over the goal line every time.”
Christopher Baker, Managing Partner, CP Baker LLC, Managing Partner, The Truth Bar LLC
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“I have worked with Marilynn in three capacities; buyer, co-worker and a client. She was always the person I called to get things done. She’s a go-getter and does what’s right for the business.”
Les Hamilton, President - Hylands
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“At first impression, Marilynn exudes confidence and power, and after working with her, she has proven to be very warm and personable with a hint of intensity. What I am most impressed with is her thoroughness. I feel very secure that Marilynn will leave no stone unturned which combined with her tenacity and intelligence makes for a good partnership.”
Diana Stobo – Co-Founder & Chief Formulator, Truth Bar
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“It has been a pleasure and enlightening experience working with Marilynn Martin on the Target business. Marilynn’s knowledge of the account and tireless efforts over a two-year period enabled a small brand to gain distribution at Target. Marilynn is integrally connected with the customer and understands all pressure points to gain and profitably drive the business at Target. Marilynn is a great business partner.”
Jeff Carducci, VP Sales, North America – Dermae
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“Marilynn’s 19 years of dedicated service has helped us build a company that is a considerable segment of our industry. Marilynn was critical to getting us where we are today! We support her in her future career endeavors and I’m certain she will be successful.”
Scott Emerson - Founder CEO, The Emerson Group
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"In over 20 years of working together, by bringing passion and intelligence to every project she's encountered, Marilynn has driven sales, margin and market share gains for both Target and GNC. Marilynn is customer focused and driven to find products and solutions that are consistent with existing business strategy, and what is best, advising when that strategy needs an update. She is the best in the business."
Timothy Mantel, Chief Merchandising Officer, GNC, Barnes & Noble and Former SVP Target Grocery.
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“Marilynn is a consummate professional and will go to bat for your brand. In an industry where there are a lot of potential pitfalls, Marilynn helped us navigate around those and has created undeniable value for Liquid I.V. Her experience is unmatched and her leadership is something we lean on consistently.”
Brandin Cohen, Co-Founder & CEO, Liquid I.V.
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“Marilynn has worked hard on the Hispanic Health and Beauty Care Program at Target for Midway for the last 15+ years. Together we have persevered through many changes but Marilynn has had our back there helping to drive the business year over year.”
Chris Hartman, President – Midway, Hispanic HBC Brands
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“I’ve known and worked with Marilynn for many years. Marilynn has a terrific ability to identify an opportunity, create a vision and most importantly – to make it happen. She’s a force when it comes to getting things done and a fantastic partner to work with to build a business or a brand.”
Tami Booth Corwin – Media, Publishing & Brand-Building Strategist & Consultant, Former President – Sparkpeople, Former President & Editor-in-Chief, Rodale
