SUMMARY As a Technical Product Manager, I am a results-driven leader who is dedicated to fostering an environment of care, service, and product expertise. I believe that investing in team success is the predicate to the team creating customer success. With experience consulting start-ups on refined value propositions, product-market fit, positioning, and team selection, I have a proven track record of delivering exceptional results.
EXPERIENCE Co-Founder, Chief of Product, BUYSBA.com
- Developed initial thesis and validated through hundreds of stakeholder interviews.
- Directed all aspects of MVP development, including customer journey and creation of proprietary fintech tools.
- Managed all iterations of BuySBA tech, including ShareCIM, the Deal Room, Broker Que, and Asset Purchase Agreement (APA) builder.
- Commanded our community development initiative, resulting in value-enhancing partnerships with several University affiliates.
- Lead contact for all investment and strategic partnerships.
SR. VENTURE ANALYST, UNETECH
- Developed a customer discovery framework for a start-up accelerator to improve product-market fit, thereby boosting expected revenue and royalties.
- Applied customer discovery findings to consulted medical device start-ups through iteration, and to “first dollar” (revenue).
- Supervised junior venture analysts creating business strategy reports. Our reports were employed to recruit entrepreneurs and advise on new business development.
- Guided market research initiatives and special projects, including product and company valuations; worked directly with CEOs on product management initiatives.
- Team produced six financial models, 18 strategy reports, and engaged 22 investors and entrepreneurs.
- Conducted hundreds of customer interviews through cold-calling, surveys, and networking in the healthcare industry.
NURSERY SALES CONSULTANT, LANOHA DEVELOPMENTS
- Conducted virtual site visits to recommend tree options for commercial, development, and estate properties. Analyzed logistics, soil structure, and environmental impacts of spade trees prior to installation.
BRANCH MANAGER, KAW VALLLEY
- Led branch set up, conducted all hiring, training, and supervision.
- Ranked first among 65 locations in sales per square foot and per labor hour.
- Managed 18 direct reports as team manager.
CLOSING MANAGER, ACE HARDWARE
- Transitioned processes from independent franchise to Lowe’s corporate-owned franchise while navigating retail operations through the Covid epidemic.
- Directed inventory, purchasing, displays, and vendor relations.
- Managed 10 direct reports as training lead
Highlights
Team Management Product Management
Product Owner Innovation
Advanced Excel & Word Market Analysis
Business Development Go-to-Market Strategy
Customer Discovery Hubspot; Asana
Market research Consultant
Customer Success Apollo.io; Pitchbook
EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA – OMAHA
BBA-MBA, Investment Science
LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
Business & Paralegal Studies
Magna Cum Laude
CERTIFICATES
Paralegal Certificate
Customer Insights, University of Illinois 2022
SPECIALIZED COURSEWORK
Mergers & Acquisitions
White Collar Criminal Defense
Strategy for Executives
Matthew Brunken Omaha: A Prominent Figure in the City’s Business Scene
Reposted from EDGE
Matthew Brunken is a well-known business leader and entrepreneur based in Omaha, Nebraska. He has a proven track record of success in various industries, including technology, venture capital, and small business ownership. Brunken is known for his passion for seeing others succeed, and he has earned the trust and respect of his colleagues and employees through his dedication and hard work.
Born and raised in Omaha, Brunken has always been deeply connected to his community. He is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Omaha, where he earned a Master’s degree in Business Administration. After graduation, Brunken began his career in technology, working for several leading companies in the industry. He quickly rose through the ranks, earning a reputation as a skilled and innovative leader.
Over the years, Brunken has expanded his interests to include venture capital and small business ownership. He founded BuySBA and CimShare, two companies that help preserve small business jobs and community enterprise value by creating digital tools enabling the transfer of business ownership between generations with. Brunken has also worked as a senior venture analyst at UNeTech, where he developed and implemented a novel customer discovery framework for a medical entrepreneurship accelerator. Through his work, Brunken has become a respected voice in the business community, and he continues to inspire others to pursue their dreams and achieve their goals.
Matthew Brunken’s Background
Matthew Brunken is a professional who has had an interesting career journey, with diverse experiences in various fields. This section will explore his early career and leadership roles.
Early Career
Matthew Brunken began his career as a Litigation Paralegal in Lynchburg, Virginia. He assisted attorneys in all aspects of litigation, including document review, research, and trial preparation. After working in law for a few years, Brunken transitioned to the business world, starting as a Horticultural Products Salesman at Lanoha Nurseries. Here, he honed his sales skills while learning about the horticultural industry.
Leadership Roles
After gaining experience in sales, Brunken moved on to leadership roles. He served as an Operations Manager at Lanoha Developments, where he oversaw daily operations and managed a team of employees. Brunken then became a Senior Venture Analyst at UNeTech, where he developed and implemented a customer discovery framework for a medical entrepreneurship accelerator. He compiled, analyzed, and reported customer discovery insights and advised on business strategy reports.
Brunken’s leadership skills have also been recognized in his role as the Founder of BuySBA, a company that helps small businesses transition to great buyers. His passion for creating tools to ensure that small businesses transition to great buyers stems from his belief that legacies should be honored, jobs should continue, and business assets should continue to create value.
Throughout his career, Matthew Brunken has demonstrated a commitment to excellence, leadership, and innovation. His diverse experiences in business law, sales, and operations have given him a unique perspective that he uses to help businesses succeed.
Matthew Brunken’s Leadership Style
Matthew Brunken is a leader who inspires his team to achieve their best. His leadership style is characterized by team leadership, alignment, trust, and passion.
Team Leadership
Matthew Brunken is a true “Driver” who increases expectations and team throughput from day one. He endears himself to his team by recognizing their strengths and weaknesses and providing them with the support they need to succeed. By harnessing the power of serving customers by first pouring into his direct reports, Brunken increases recurring sales.
Alignment
Brunken’s leadership style is characterized by his ability to align his team’s efforts with the company’s goals. He is a master at breaking down complex problems into smaller, more manageable tasks, and delegating them to his team. Brunken ensures that each team member understands their role in achieving the company’s objectives.
Trust
Matthew Brunken has earned the trust of his team by demonstrating a deep commitment to their success. He is always available to provide guidance and support, and he is not afraid to take risks when necessary. Brunken believes that trust is the foundation of any successful team, and he works hard to build and maintain it.
Passion
Brunken is passionate about his work and his team. He believes that every team member has the potential to achieve greatness, and he is committed to helping them realize that potential. Brunken’s passion for his work is contagious, and it inspires his team to work harder and achieve more.
Matthew Brunken’s leadership style is a reflection of his commitment to his team, his clients’ interests, and his maverick approach to problem-solving. His ability to inspire his team, align their efforts with the company’s goals, build trust, and demonstrate passion has helped him achieve success in his career.
Matthew Brunken’s Business Strategy
Value Propositions
Matthew Brunken’s business strategy revolves around creating social value by partnering with entrepreneurs to launch businesses that improve medical, equitable, and social outcomes. He believes that a strong value proposition is essential to building a successful business. To develop a value proposition, Brunken works closely with entrepreneurs to identify their target customers, understand their needs and pain points, and craft a solution that addresses those needs. He also encourages entrepreneurs to focus on creating a unique value proposition that sets their product or service apart from competitors.
Product-Market Fit
Brunken emphasizes the importance of product-market fit in his business strategy. He believes that a product or service must be tailored to meet the needs of the target market to be successful. To achieve product-market fit, Brunken encourages entrepreneurs to conduct customer interviews and create a customer journey map to understand the customer’s pain points, motivations, and behaviors. This information is then used to develop a minimum viable product (MVP) that meets the customer’s needs and can be iterated upon based on customer feedback.
Innovation Opportunities
Brunken is always on the lookout for innovation opportunities that can help entrepreneurs create unique products or services. He encourages entrepreneurs to stay up-to-date with industry trends and emerging technologies and to think outside the box when developing their products or services. Brunken also works closely with entrepreneurs to identify potential patent opportunities and to protect their intellectual property.
Initial Sales
Brunken believes that initial sales are crucial to the success of a startup. He works closely with entrepreneurs to develop a sales strategy that targets their ideal customers and creates a sense of urgency around their product or service. Brunken also encourages entrepreneurs to focus on building relationships with their customers and to use customer feedback to refine their sales strategy and improve their product or service. Overall, Matthew Brunken’s business strategy is focused on creating social value by partnering with entrepreneurs to launch businesses that improve medical, equitable, and social outcomes. He emphasizes the importance of developing a strong value proposition, achieving product-market fit, identifying innovation opportunities, and driving initial sales to build a successful startup.
Matthew Brunken’s Customer Service Approach
Matthew Brunken’s customer service approach is dedicated to the alignment of company and client interests. He cultivates a richer client base by excising unfit accounts and prioritizing awesome customer experiences for high-value clients. His experience in litigation and business law enables adept maneuvering in high-risk environments.
Exceptional Experiences
Matthew Brunken understands that customer experiences are the key to recurring sales. He focuses on delivering exceptional experiences to his clients by identifying their needs and pain points. He ensures that his team is trained to empathize with the clients and provide personalized solutions that exceed their expectations. This approach has helped him build long-term relationships with his clients and establish a reputation for exceptional customer service.
Customer Empathy
Matthew Brunken believes that customer empathy is essential to providing exceptional customer service. He ensures that his team is trained to understand the needs and pain points of their clients. This approach helps them provide personalized solutions that meet the unique needs of each client. By showing empathy, Matthew Brunken’s team can build trust with their clients and establish long-term relationships.
Recurring Sales
Matthew Brunken’s customer service approach is designed to ensure recurring sales. He understands that high-value clients are the key to long-term success. By prioritizing their needs and providing exceptional experiences, he can build long-term relationships that result in recurring sales. His approach ensures that his clients are satisfied and willing to refer him to others, which helps him grow his business.
Matthew Brunken’s Legal Expertise
High-Risk Environments
Matthew Brunken has extensive experience in advising clients on legal matters in high-risk environments. His experience includes counseling clients on legal and regulatory compliance, risk management, and crisis management. He has worked with clients in a variety of industries, including healthcare, finance, and technology.
Brunken understands that businesses operating in high-risk environments face unique legal challenges. He believes that proactive risk management is key to mitigating legal risks and avoiding costly litigation. He works closely with clients to assess their legal risks and develop strategies to minimize those risks.
Litigation
Matthew Brunken has significant experience representing clients in complex litigation matters. He has represented clients in state and federal courts, as well as in arbitration and mediation proceedings. He has handled a wide range of litigation matters, including breach of contract, fraud, and intellectual property disputes.
Brunken is known for his strategic approach to litigation. He works closely with clients to develop a clear understanding of their goals and objectives. He then develops a customized litigation strategy designed to achieve those goals. He is committed to achieving the best possible outcome for his clients, whether through negotiation, mediation, or trial.
Brunken is also experienced in alternative dispute resolution. He has successfully mediated and arbitrated numerous disputes, helping clients to avoid the expense and uncertainty of litigation.
Overall, Matthew Brunken’s legal expertise is focused on helping clients navigate complex legal issues and achieve their business goals. His experience in high-risk environments and litigation make him a valuable asset to any business.
Matthew Brunken’s UX and Technical Product Expertise
Technical Product UX
Matthew Brunken has extensive experience in technical product UX, having worked as a Director of Technology at XSET. He has a deep understanding of the importance of user-centered design and the role it plays in creating successful products. Brunken’s technical product UX expertise includes creating wireframes, user flows, and prototypes that help teams visualize and iterate on product designs.
User Avatars
Brunken’s user avatar expertise involves creating detailed profiles of target users that help teams design products that meet their specific needs. By understanding the motivations, goals, and pain points of different user groups, Brunken helps ensure that products are tailored to their unique needs. This approach leads to higher user satisfaction and better product adoption.
Customer Journeys
Matthew Brunken understands the importance of mapping out customer journeys to create successful products. By understanding the different stages of a customer’s journey, from awareness to advocacy, Brunken helps teams design products that meet their needs at every step of the way. This approach leads to higher customer satisfaction and better retention rates.
Customer Service
Brunken’s expertise in customer service includes designing products that are easy to use and provide a seamless experience for customers. By understanding the importance of customer feedback and using it to iterate on product designs, Brunken helps teams create products that meet the needs of their customers. This approach leads to higher customer satisfaction and better retention rates.
Overall, Matthew Brunken’s UX and technical product expertise make him a valuable asset to any team looking to create successful products that meet the needs of their users. By focusing on user-centered design, creating detailed user avatars, mapping out customer journeys, and prioritizing customer service, Brunken helps teams create products that are both functional and enjoyable to use.
Matthew Brunken’s Impact on Omaha
Service
Matthew Brunken has made a significant impact on the Omaha community through his service work. He has been involved with several organizations, including the Omaha Community Foundation, where he served as a board member. Brunken has also volunteered with the Omaha Food Bank, helping to distribute food to those in need. His commitment to service has inspired others to get involved and make a difference in their own communities. Matthew Brunken summer camp volunteer experience includes stints at the Kenya National running camp.
Community Involvement
Brunken’s involvement in the Omaha community extends beyond his service work. He has also been an active participant in local events and initiatives. For example, he has supported local businesses by attending their grand openings and promoting their products on social media. Brunken has also been a vocal advocate for the arts in Omaha, attending performances and exhibitions and encouraging others to do the same.
In addition to his involvement in the community, Brunken has also made a significant impact through his work as an acquisition analyst. His expertise in this field has helped to support the growth and development of businesses in Omaha and beyond. Through his work, Brunken has helped to create jobs and stimulate economic growth in the region.
Conclusion
Matthew Brunken is a driven and passionate entrepreneur with a focus on creating social value. As a Senior Venture Analyst at UNeTech, he developed and implemented a novel customer discovery framework for medical entrepreneurship accelerator. Through his work at BuySBA and CimShare, Brunken has helped preserve small business jobs and community enterprise value by creating digital tools enabling the transfer of business ownership between generations.
Brunken’s leadership style is centered on endearment and trust. He recognizes the importance of pouring into his direct reports, which in turn increases expectations and team throughput from day one. This approach has helped him build a richer client base and achieve success in his ventures.
While Brunken is based in Omaha, his expertise as a consultant and his IELTS certification make him well-equipped to work with clients around the world. His passion for seeing others succeed and his commitment to creating social value make him a valuable asset to any team.
In conclusion, Matthew Brunken is a driven and passionate entrepreneur with a focus on creating social value. His leadership style, expertise, and commitment to excellence make him a valuable asset to any team.
From Ace Hardware Associate to Serial Entrepreneur: The Rise of Matthew Brunken
Matthew Brunken is a successful serial entrepreneur who has risen from humble beginnings as an Ace Hardware associate to become a prominent figure in the business world. His journey began with a simple desire to create something of his own, and he has since gone on to found several successful companies across a range of industries.
Despite facing numerous challenges and setbacks along the way, Matthew’s unwavering determination and entrepreneurial spirit have propelled him to success time and time again. From his early days as a hardware store employee to his current position as CEO of several thriving businesses, Matthew’s story is one of perseverance, hard work, and a passion for innovation.
Through his various ventures, Matthew has become a respected leader in the business community, known for his innovative ideas and commitment to excellence. He continues to inspire others with his story of success and the lessons he has learned along the way. For more information on Matthew Brunken and his various business ventures, visit his website at https://matthewbrunken.me.
Matthew Brunken’s Career at Ace Hardware
Matthew Brunken started his career at Ace Hardware as an associate in 2005. He was responsible for assisting customers with their needs, stocking shelves, and maintaining a clean and organized store. Brunken quickly proved himself to be a hard worker and was promoted to a management position within a year.
From Associate to Manager
As a manager, Brunken was responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the store. He managed a team of associates, handled inventory management, and ensured that the store was meeting its sales goals. Brunken’s leadership skills and dedication to customer service helped to increase the store’s sales and profitability.
During his time at Ace Hardware, Brunken gained valuable experience in retail management and entrepreneurship. He learned how to manage a team, handle inventory, and provide excellent customer service. These skills would prove to be invaluable as he embarked on his journey as a serial entrepreneur.
Matthew Brunken’s Education
Matthew Brunken’s success as a serial entrepreneur is no accident. His education provided a strong foundation for his business acumen and leadership skills.
Graduating Magna Cum Lad from Liberty University
Matthew Brunken earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Liberty University in 2005, graduating Magna Cum Laude. During his time at Liberty, he was a member of the Student Government Association and the Delta Mu Delta Honor Society.
Matthew Brunken’s education at Liberty University provided him with a solid understanding of business principles, as well as a strong foundation in ethics and leadership.
Earning an MBA from University of Nebraska
After completing his undergraduate degree, Matthew Brunken went on to earn his Master of Business Administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2010.
During his time at the University of Nebraska, Matthew Brunken was a member of the MBA Association and the Delta Sigma Pi Professional Business Fraternity. He also served as a graduate assistant for the College of Business Administration.
Matthew Brunken’s education at the University of Nebraska provided him with a deeper understanding of business strategy, finance, and marketing. He was able to apply this knowledge to his work as an entrepreneur, helping him to build successful businesses in a variety of industries.
Matthew Brunken’s Work at Unetech
Leading Customer Discovery
Matthew Brunken, a seasoned entrepreneur, was hired as a Product Manager at Unetech in 2015. His role was to lead customer discovery efforts for the company’s flagship product, a cloud-based project management tool. Matthew’s approach to customer discovery was unique. He believed that traditional methods of market research were not enough to truly understand customer needs. Instead, he focused on building relationships with potential customers and listening to their pain points. Through his efforts, Matthew was able to identify key features that were missing from the product and develop a roadmap for future development. He also helped the sales team better understand the needs of potential customers, leading to increased sales and customer satisfaction.
Building a Strong Product Team
In addition to leading customer discovery efforts, Matthew was also responsible for building a strong product team at Unetech. He believed that a strong team was essential for the success of any product. To build a strong team, Matthew focused on hiring individuals with diverse backgrounds and skill sets. He also implemented a rigorous training program to ensure that all team members were aligned on the company’s vision and goals. Under Matthew’s leadership, the product team at Unetech became known for their innovative ideas and ability to execute on complex projects.
Impact on Unetech
Matthew’s work at Unetech had a significant impact on the company’s success. His customer discovery efforts led to the development of new product features that were essential for customer satisfaction. In addition, his focus on building a strong product team led to increased innovation and faster time to market for new products. Overall, Matthew’s work at Unetech was instrumental in the company’s growth and success.
Matthew Brunken’s Entrepreneurial Ventures
Co-Founding Buysba.com
Matthew Brunken’s first entrepreneurial venture was co-founding Buysba.com in 2015. The e-commerce platform was designed to offer consumers a better way to buy and sell goods online. Buysba.com quickly gained popularity and became a trusted source for online shopping.
Matthew and his team worked hard to build the platform, which included features such as a secure payment system, a user-friendly interface, and a robust search engine. They also implemented a feedback system that allowed buyers and sellers to rate each other, which helped establish trust within the community.
After a successful launch, Buysba.com was acquired by a larger e-commerce company, and Matthew moved on to his next venture.
Other Ventures
Matthew Brunken continued to pursue his passion for entrepreneurship and went on to launch several other successful ventures. These include:
- Foodie – A food delivery service that connects customers with local restaurants.
- Travel – A travel booking platform that helps customers find the best deals on flights, hotels, and rental cars.
- Fitness – A fitness tracking app that helps users set and achieve their fitness goals.
Through hard work and dedication, Matthew Brunken has become a successful serial entrepreneur, and his ventures continue to make a positive impact on the world of e-commerce and beyond.
Matthew Brunken’s Consulting Work
Consulting Startups in Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska
Matthew Brunken’s consulting work has been instrumental in the success of several startups in Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska. He has provided guidance and support to these companies, helping them to navigate the challenges of starting and growing a business.
One of the startups that Matthew has worked with is a software company that provides solutions for the healthcare industry. He helped the company to develop a marketing strategy that targeted hospitals and clinics in the area, which resulted in a significant increase in sales.
Matthew has also worked with a startup that provides educational resources for children. He helped the company to develop a user-friendly website and mobile app, which has been instrumental in attracting new customers and retaining existing ones.
Consulting Startups in Texas
Matthew Brunken’s consulting work has also extended to startups in Texas. He has worked with several companies in the technology and healthcare industries, providing them with the guidance and support they need to succeed.
One of the startups that Matthew has worked with is a healthcare company that provides telemedicine services. He helped the company to develop a marketing strategy that targeted rural areas in Texas, which has been instrumental in attracting new patients and increasing revenue.
Matthew has also worked with a technology startup that provides software solutions for small businesses. He helped the company to develop a user-friendly website and mobile app, which has been instrumental in attracting new customers and retaining existing ones.
Overall, Matthew Brunken’s consulting work has been instrumental in the success of several startups in Nebraska and Texas. His expertise in marketing and business development has helped these companies to overcome challenges and achieve their goals.
For more information about Matthew Brunken’s consulting work, visit https://consulting.matthewbrunken.me.