Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Berthelson.
Hi Chris, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello I am Chris Berthelson.
I am an entrepreneur and small business owner. I have over 30 years of experience as a Retail Business Leader across multiple sectors with proven results and accomplishments—not only from a consulting and coaching standpoint—in the trenches, doing the work and understanding every aspect of a successful business. I know what it takes. I have been more than a turnaround specialist—I have been a catalyst for transformative leadership.
For over 30 years, my journey has been defined by scaling top retail brands, optimizing operations, and achieving sustainable growth for entrepreneurs.
I have founded, owned, and operated several independent businesses across several sectors, including real estate brokerage, trucking and transportation, and hospitality staffing. Through these diverse experiences, I have come to appreciate the immense potential and unique challenges entrepreneurs and small business owners face daily. They possess the vision, the drive, and the unwavering determination to bring their dreams to life, yet often lack the necessary resources and guidance to thrive in an increasingly competitive world.
My consultancy is tailored to meet these unique needs. I leverage real-world experience and high-level success to offer practical solutions that are accessible, affordable, effective, and specifically tailored to help business owners achieve their objectives and often exceed what they thought possible.
I created Beyond Storefronts around the belief that every entrepreneur, regardless of size, should have an equal opportunity to succeed. I understand the challenges of limited resources, tight budgets, and the constant need to stay ahead of the curve. Working together, I will help you elevate your business in every way that matters. It’s a partnership, a journey, and a mission rolled into one.
I am from the Wonderful small state of Connecticut. I grew up in low-income housing where my mom worked multiple jobs to care for my brother and me. My parents were hard workers. We did not have money or luxury items, but we had a great life. I learned the value of hard work and dedication from my parents. My dad was a Vietnam Vet who worked one job his entire life. Made a great living, retired, and lives out his retirement. My mom worked multiple jobs, never took a vacation, never bought herself anything, and we always were the kids in school that had the” hand me downs”. I say this because it taught me what it means to work and fight for what you have. It also taught me that my parents, who never got a plane, or a train missed out on what the world has to offer because they never stepped outside their comfort zone. That is what they knew and stayed with. We don’t have to do that anymore. We can be successful on our own. Have our own business. And realize our dreams. The most amazing women in my life was my grandmother who passed a few years ago during Covid. She was 97. She was also a hard worker. Never stopped working. She owned her own business when we were just kids. I think back on that now realizing that is the reason her and I were so close all the way to the end. She had the entrepreneur spirit. She always gave the best advice. And it was always right. Because she did not really give it to you. She made you think about it and do it. She always had these big holiday meals and Sunday pasta days. Yes, we were Italian. We don’t do that anymore. Times have changed. But I think about her every day of my life. And I am partially the man I am today because of her. Her support and guidance. She was a fighter. Never gave up.
What Inspires Me?
My daughter inspires me. She is a two-time college graduate. A beautiful young woman who did not have the best growing up situation. She had very young parents that made a lot of mistakes. But she like her dad and his dad worked hard, dedicating time to be better and improve, and now she has it all. And nobody gave it to her. She did it on her own. And nobody can take that away.
The customers and clients that have success inspire me to keep going and keep giving more to them. Because that is what drives me every day. I want to see them succeed.
I will not waiver on these values:
Transparency: Promoting openness, honesty, and accountability in all actions and communications.
Integrity: Demonstrating strong moral and ethical principles in decision-making and interactions.
Respect: Treating others with dignity, fairness, and courtesy, valuing diversity, and inclusivity.
Trustworthiness: Building and maintaining trust through reliability, consistency, and keeping promises.
My greatest mentors in my career. 1. Store Manager in Newington, CT. Tom Fill petti. He passed years ago with Cancer. But he will never be forgotten. Hard working, honest, cared about his people. 2. District Manager in the CT market at the time. Mickey Nye. She believed in me. Gave me my first Store Manager Job. She was the most amazing and generous boss you would ever ask for in life. She truly was a great leader. I have not come across another like her in 30 years. 3. Store Manager of mine and I was the ASM in Wallingford CT. Michael Ouellette. He will tell you he is the greatest manager of all time. He might just be. I learned how to be TOUHG but fair. I respected him, and he promoted me to Store Manager, so I know he respected me as well. He embodies why I became a leader.
People believed in me. When I was down and out and made mistakes in my younger years. My mentors believe in me. Pushed me to be better. I never wanted to let them down. And that keeps me going. I want to give everyone the same chances that I had. There is no secret. My parents and grandparents taught us about hard work and dedication, family values, and the deep real meaning of the multiple levels of leadership.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I always say, “It was never me. It’s the teams.” But I was the leader who empowered them. And that is what I continue to do.
I was always the “new guy” or “the y0ung guy”. I did not think leaders took me seriously at first and I always had to be the hardest working person in the building. But that challenge made me better. I never took my foot off the pedal.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I help overwhelmed small retail business owners uncover hidden profits and revenues by optimizing their current operations, maximizing efficiency, and streamline processes without spending another dollar on advertising or marketing.
I offer “The $25K Hidden Profit Challenge” to any small retail business owner. I guarantee I can uncover over $25K in profits and revenue in just a few hours or less.
HOW CHRIS BERTHELSON EXPERIENCE HELPS YOU
Profit Surge:
Experience-Backed Solutions: Benefit from over 30 years of industry expertise to tailor solutions specific to your business needs, ensuring a personalized approach that maximizes profitability.
Operational Transformation:
Proven Strategies: Draw on insights gained from years of experience and investment in top-tier coaching and consulting programs, implementing tailored strategies to revolutionize your operations and drive efficiency.
Data-Driven Advantage:
Expert Insights: Tap into a wealth of knowledge accumulated over three decades and backed by significant investments in learning from industry leaders, enabling you to leverage data effectively for unparalleled competitive advantage.
Customer Devotion:
Personalized Approach: With a track record of success spanning various industries, rest assured that your coaching experience will be tailored to your unique business circumstances, fostering unwavering customer loyalty and advocacy.
Visionary Leadership:
Best-in-Class Results: Access world-class leadership principles honed over decades of hands-on experience and substantial investment in coaching, empowering you to lead your team to extraordinary achievements in the retail marketplace.
Why Work with Chris Berthelson?
Decades of Experience: With over 30 years of hands-on experience as a Retail Business Leader across various sectors, Chris brings unparalleled ability to the table. His extensive background encompasses not only consulting and coaching but also the practical insights gained from founding and running multiple successful businesses.
Proven Track Record: Chris’s record of accomplishment speaks for itself. He has spearheaded the establishment of hundreds of new retail locations for supermarkets, liquor retailers, consumer home goods retailers, and airport duty-free stores. His ability to deliver tangible results and drive business growth is second to none.
Innovative Solutions: In a rapidly evolving industry, innovation is key to staying ahead of the curve. Chris is renowned for his forward-thinking approach and ability to implement innovative solutions that drive bottom-line results. Clients can trust him to use innovative strategies and technologies to propel their businesses to new heights.
Personalized Guidance: One size does not fit all when it comes to business coaching. Chris understands the unique challenges and goals of each client and provides tailored guidance and support to address their specific needs. His personalized approach ensures that clients receive actionable insights and tangible results.
Passion for Success: Above all, Chris is deeply passionate about helping entrepreneurs and small business owners realize their full potential. His commitment to client success is unwavering, and he goes beyond to ensure that every client achieves their vital business goals. With Chris by their side, clients can trust that they are in capable hands.
My signature coaching and consulting program:
Business Renewal Blueprint – 90 Day Profit Ignitor
Unlocking profits for small retailers through targeted optimization strategies
In today’s competitive retail landscape, achieving sustainable growth can be challenging. That’s why I’m thrilled to introduce the 90 Day Profit Ignitor program. It’s a results-driven coaching experience meticulously crafted to empower retail entrepreneurs like you to overcome obstacles, perfect operations, and skyrocket profits in just three months.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I could go on about this for days. But my two talking points are
1. Brick and Mortar is not dead! With over 40,000 retail stores to close over the next few years it is a clear indication that the consumer is finally speaking with their wallets. Great Service, products people want, and ease of shopping will rule the day. The retailers that continue to strive in these points will survive. The others will not.
2. AI is great for people like me and bad for those that relay on it solely. I can think outside the box, in the box, and all around the box because I have done it. A coach or consultant that is using AI to generate content or solutions will find out quickly (or their customers will) that they don’t have the knowledge and experience to actually get results. I have done it. I have lived it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.beyond-retail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondretailgroup/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beyondretailgroup
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisberthelson/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/beyond-retail-group-winter-garden-2
- Other: https://maps.app.goo.gl/atZa4AveH9SvjaQGA
