Howard Friedensohn has over 30 years of experience as a CFO and COO for consumer goods companies. He has worked with well-known brands across various industries and distribution channels. Friedensohn is skilled at assessing situations and implementing financial and operational solutions to drive profitability and efficiencies. Some of his accomplishments include launching new product lines that achieved over $25 million in annual sales, establishing financial infrastructure for a company that grew to $400 million, and negotiating financing of $9.5 million. Friedensohn provides strategic leadership and has led start-ups, turnarounds, and growth initiatives for numerous consumer product companies.

1. Howard Friedensohn...
35 Clarewood Drive • Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706 • (914) 720-6733 • hjfcfo@gmail.com
CHIEF FINANCIAL / OPERATING OFFICER possessing an extensive background in consumer goods and
services including significant expertise in the beauty space. Worked with world-class brands such as Bath
& Body Works, Benetton, Ann Taylor, Victoria’s Secret, Ralph Lauren, Nina Ricci, Nautica, Bernardaud,
Tiffany & Co. and others. Experience has encompassed a vast array of distribution channels including
department and specialty stores, direct mail, TV infomercials, big box, chain and independent drug
stores, salons, discounters, direct-to-professional, etc., both in the US as well as internationally.
Reputation for rapidly assessing situations and spearheading creative financial, operating and
technology solutions to drive profitability and efficiencies at start-up, high-growth, turnaround and
established companies.
 Consumer Product Launches—Key member (CFO) of team that launched Bath and Body Works and Victoria’s
Secret Bath; instrumental in achieving $25M in annual sales for Benetton beauty products start-up in two years.
 Operating Infrastructure / Revenue Growth—Established financial, operating, IT and administrative infrastructure
to support launch of 1,500 SKUs for consumer products company, including build-out and leasing of two offices.
Key contributor to company growth from $0 to $400M and 115 employees within four years.
 Financial Consulting—Built CFO consulting organization from the ground up to annual revenue of $1.2M.
 Financing and Credit Raising—Negotiated $9.5M asset-based credit facility to fuel company growth, freeing
owner of personal and IP guarantee/collateral.
 Technology Implementations—Researched, selected and executed implementation of six fully integrated
manufacturing [ERP] systems for US companies and foreign subsidiaries driving lean and highly cost efficient
multi-site organizations. Leveraged emerging opportunities of cloud computing.
Leadership Strengths that Deliver Company and Stakeholder Value
 Strategic Planning
 Start-ups, Turnarounds
 Financial / Operating Infrastructures
 Financial Modeling, Analysis
 Financial Reporting
 Mergers, Acquisitions, IPOs
 International Business
 Financial / Internal Controls
 Contract Manufacturing
 Negotiations, Contracts
 Cash Management
 Cost Accounting
 Process Improvements
 MRP, ERP
 Private Equity, Workouts
 Consumer Products Manufacturing
 Building / Managing Teams
 IP Administration, Licensing
A Career of Driving Financial and Operational Improvements
for Consumer Products Companies
CFOUTSOURCE, Irvington / Hastings-on-Hudson, NY/ Cranford, NJ 1992 – Present
Financial/business services consulting company specializing in finance, M&A, operations and technology. Merged with NJ-based
competitor (2001) and sold business in 2003. Revived company in 2007 as consulting CFO/COO for consumer products companies.
PRESIDENT / PRINCIPAL / FOUNDER
Built company from the ground up to revenue of $1.2M in 10 years with team of up to 12, serving 50+ small to
medium-sized companies. Clients ranged across diverse industries including beauty/consumer products,
technology, luxury goods, retail, manufacturing, distribution, consulting, food, biotech, licensing and non-profit.
Hired to role of CFO/COO from numerous consulting engagements, to launch new enterprises, transform
underperforming organizations or grow new product lines for existing companies.
 Established and led accounting and financial functions at companies that included manufacturers, marketers
and an IPO.
 Instituted efficiencies at multi-site inventory and manufacturing locations, freeing up working capital,
generating higher turns/lower days on hand and lower accounts receivable DSO.
 Formulated complex financial planning models and managed budgeting and forecasting at multiple
companies across diverse product lines, distribution channels, geographic regions and legal entities.
 Stabilized distressed balance sheets, managed cash and raised capital for privately held start-ups.
 Introduced internal control procedures to mitigate risks and manage cash, inventory, receivables, fixed assets,
intellectual property; ensured tax and legal compliance.
OPTIMIZING BUSINESS RESULTS THROUGH FINANCIAL
EXPERTISE, TECHNOLOGY AND BUSINESS ACUMEN

2. Howard Friedensohn Page 2
Selected CFO / COO Roles and Projects
CFO—Bond No. 9, New York, NY (2014 – present)
COO / CFO—Blue Space Brands, LLC / HerCut LLC, New York, NY (2009 – 2011)
 Hired to lead start-up hair care products incubator through serious operating and financial challenges.
 Secured $1.5M in customer purchase order secured financing to procure and manufacture industry-first
product line (HerCut) with initial distribution at Sephora.
 Negotiated three-year exclusive distribution contract with prestige European specialty retailer, with 700 retail
outlets in seven EU countries; devised creative strategy to generate first-ever cash advance (~$300K) to
execute launch.
COO / CFO—Sustainable Youth Technologies, New York, NY (2008 – 2010)
 Drove operations, devised business plans and financial forecasts, and secured $1M from angel investors for
cash-strained organic natural consumer products company.
 Led team to select and implement NetSuite cloud-based ERP and integrated ecommerce site.
Chief Operating Officer—Profound Beauty (Mana Products, Inc. affiliate), Long Island, NY (2003 – 2007)
 Executed direct-to-salon marketer/distributor launch, developed new business, negotiated deals and directed
operations; drove start-up company from the ground up to $3M in annual net sales.
 Innovated product, label-to-order system; devised unique agency selling structure for US and Canada.
 Managed global patent application process and trademark administration including successful infringement
litigation outcome.
 Introduced stock incentive plan for employees and ground-breaking SEC/multi-state Blue Sky-approved stock
option plan for salon owners.
Interim CFO—Paul Sebastian, Inc. (1998 – 1999)
 Oversaw financial function for troubled fragrance manufacturer in work-out, facilitating sale of licensed
(Nautica) and non-licensed businesses to strategic buyer.
CFO / Vice President—Debaun Group, Inc., New York, NY (1994 – 1997)
 Provided financial and operational oversight for prestigious leading brands such as Ann Taylor, Carnival Cruises,
American Eagle Outfitters and Diane Von Furstenberg.
CFO / Vice President, Finance / Operations—Erox, New York, NY (1992 – 1994)
 Built operating infrastructure and directed finance, manufacturing, call center, distribution, IT and day-to-day
administrative operations for start-up holding worldwide license for University of Utah patent.
 Devised business plan and prospectus that raised $7M through successful IPO (NASDAQ small cap).
NEST FRAGRANCES, New York, NY 2013 – 2014
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Oversaw Finance, IT and HR administration functions for leading private equity owned home fragrance
manufacturer (www.nestfragrances.com).
 Implemented Oasis Outsourcing PEO saving $50K annually in employee benefits expenses.
 Sourced, negotiated and executed $9.5M asset based credit line, tripling borrowing capacity.
 Executed selection and implementation of CGS / Blue Cherry ERP system; oversaw IT infrastructure move to
new 14,000 square foot office.
Early Experience
CFO, Vice President Finance and Administration—Gryphon Development; NY
CFO, Vice President, Finance and Operations— Benetton Cosmetics Corporation; NY, Paris, Lugano
Director of Finance—Jacqueline Cochran Inc. (division American Cyanamid Corporation); NY, Paris, France; Zurich
Budget Manger, Marketing Manager, Territory Manager, Group Controller—Warner Cosmetics, Inc.; NY/NJ
Executive Trainee, Sales Audit Manager, Credit Manager—Bloomindales, NY
Education
BS in Accounting—New York University, New York, NY
Technical Expertise includes proficiency in QuickBooks, NetSuite, Dynamics and Advanced Excel