Bachelor of Arts in Consumer and Social Psychology 

Fishing

Lifestyle

Outdoor

Tatarchuk Professional History – just a quick, honest story of the past 20 years

My professional career began as a Marketing Director for a software company in private sector (government sales). With a BS in Marketing, I wanted to learn more about why people buy and what influences choice in a commercial environment. I returned to my studies and received a BA in Consumer and Social Psychology focused on Consumer Behavior and Social Influence. Following these studies, I moved my work life to be more in line with what I loved to do on a daily basis -- the Outdoor Industry. 

Starting as a fishing guide, safety kayaker, and retail store manager for a small outfitter in Northern Colorado, I began to learn more about the different, intimate aspects of the Outdoor Industry as a whole, along with my affinity for technical products. I moved to accept a position with Sierra Trading Post and was quickly promoted to become a buyer for nine outdoor categories while also managing the production of 12 category-specific catalogs per year. My work at Sierra Trading Post allowed me to interact with an extremely broad network of individuals ranging from company CEOs to Sales Representatives. That network continued to grow quickly and remains as a large, professional asset. 

While at Sierra Trading Post, I was asked by the President of Hardy North America to look at a few numbers associated with the upcoming construction of a US subsidiary to their UK headquarters. I designed a forecasting model based on that data which would ultimately predict their business down to the unit of distribution over the next four years. I accepted a position with Hardy as their Regional Business Manager for the Western US and assisted the growth of that business until it was downsized and my position was eliminated in the interest of independent representatives. 

Following Hardy, I remained associated with hard and soft goods in both sales and buying capacities. I brought additional categories into TheClymb.com as in Independent Buyer to help them become one of the fastest growing online merchants in the Outdoor space. During that time, I also joined Wetfly to energize their company and take them from a stagnant $30K/year to a growing $550K/year contender in the Fly Fishing Industry. After seeing an opportunity to do the same with a legacy fly line company, I joined Monic Fly Lines and completely overhauled their packaging, logo, website, product, pricing, sales plans, ambassador and pro programs, social media programs, and outreach methodologies. In July, the owner, at the age of 86, decided that he no longer wanted to fund the company. 

I have a network in the Fly Fishing and Outdoor Industries that is both broad and powerful. While I have considered switching into a role unassociated with these people, I am continually drawn back to the reason I initially came to build this network. It was not to chase dollars, but rather to facilitate mutual reciprocity in building brands and products that I believe in. I spend my free time enjoying the outdoors, fishing, hunting, and making the tools associated with my passions. As an individual who is part engineer, part business developer, and part friend, I see myself as an asset to a team that wants to grow and become a special presence within their respective market.


Responsible for all aspects surrounding Monic Fly Lines and the reissuance of the brand. The brand resurrection included developing new logo, packaging, website, sales plans and policies, product line, pricing, distribution, all promotional activities, and the development and maintenance of a refreshed dealership network. Designed and tested fly line tapers and coating/core formulae. Manage forecasting, margin, budgets, strategy, and implementation of plan.  

Business and Product Manager

Responsible for all sales activities and product development for Wetfly. Lead development of all product, packaging design, advertising, marketing, product-to-market strategy, product mix, pricing, and brand direction. Direct trade shows. Primary point-of-contact for all accounts. Direct production schedules and quality control with overseas partners. Develop in-depth forecasting models and product phasing for all accounts as well as internal inventory planning. Responsible for all social media and customer service activities. Specific development projects include fly lines and taper designs, fly rod and reel design, Tenkara rod design, development of fly selections and Hatch of the Month programs, apparel design and production oversight. Development of internal utilities used to track inventory, sell-through, profit margins, monthly inventory needs, production schedules, and project management. 

National Sales Manager

Contracted to open fly fishing, knives, optics, and general outdoor for Retail Innovations Group (DBA: The Clymb – www.theclymb.com). Focus on new brand acquisition, pricing and term negotiation, and educating vendors on new distribution channels to grow business and expand marketing presence in the Outdoor Industry. 

Independent Contractor (Buyer) – Outdoor Industry 

Founded and ran a company that brings together cohesive elements of local, small-craft culinary artisans in a gift environment (gift boxes)—sold to retail customers and corporate accounts. Development and maintenance of the company involves sourcing and buying, pricing, web development, accounting, marketing, photography, product development and production, hand-crafting wooden boxes, shipping, receiving, business set-up, adherence to local taxing and zoning regulations, and hosting open houses. 

Founder / President

Managed a nine-state, remote territory in the specialty, juvenile sector as well as outdoor/running industry and mass-merchant market. Conducted training and brand awareness strategy roll-out on a regular basis. Managed online channels of e-commerce sales and email. Maintained a 50 percent travel schedule. Maintained and professed product knowledge of over 200 products designed and developed by phil&teds and mountain buggy. Consistently was a leader in sales quota achievement and goal development. 

Brand Ambassador

Managed Western United States from home-based office. Responsible for national sales, analytics, business reporting, and setting up the US subsidiary based in Lancaster, PA. Maintained a product line with a breadth of over 900 different products (rods, reels, waders, boots, apparel and tackle accessories). Traveled 40,000 miles per year visiting specialty shops and re-establishing a heritage brand in the fly fishing industry. Forecasted North American inventory needs and sales. Worked closely with company President in establishing sales strategies and product development. Development and initiation of online sales and social marketing strategies. Acted as sales representative for Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, and Idaho. Oversaw sub-representatives in other western states. 

Regional Business Manager 

Bought merchandise for a $45 Million revenue stream. Categories included: Fishing, Hunting, Work wear, Western wear, Camping, Optics, Knives, Motor sports, and Pet. Managed, merchandised, planned, laid out, and bought for 12 catalogs annually. Maintained an excellent understanding on an extreme breadth of product surrounding sourcing, sales strategies, development, and cost/profit analysis. Managed one assistant and managed processes in copywriting, catalog design, web development, and several supportive departments. Worked with over 250 vendors on an ongoing basis. Evaluated and developed product through Special Make-Up (SMU) opportunities in all categories. Sold company philosophy to new vendors while enhancing and reinforcing philosophy to existing vendors. 

Buyer

Responsible for managing and monitoring retail and service operations surrounding a large rafting, kayaking, and outdoor outfitter. Managed, monitored, trained, and oversaw ~5 year-round and ~40 seasonal employees. Responsible for writing copy for online, outdoor products and managing featured web products. Designed and wrote various training manuals. Assisted in advertising, pre-season buying, product sales, shop maintenance, customer contact, and strategic planning. Worked as a fly fishing guide, kayak instructor, and technical equipment advisor while interacting with multidimensional clients. 

Retail Sales Manager and Outdoor Guide 

Developed and managed marketing budget. Held a large roll in hiring, interviewing, training, and employee development. Lead corporate gestalt adjustment to foster employee enjoyment. Presented at national, government conferences providing education and training on technology and case management. Directed quarterly newsletter. Conducted research for grant funding and wrote grant proposals. Co-implemented and designed 360-degree review program for performance evaluations of co-workers and management. Information Management Systems Consultant – Offered consulting through development phases of information systems for new and existing clients. Responsible for the ongoing support of clients and end-users served with software solutions. Assisted and managed different levels of system development and maintenance. Maintained training and support of Customer Service Executives within the company.                                                                        

Marketing Director

Find out detailed information about Steve Tatarchuk,  in Fort Collins, CO

Steve Tatarchuk: in Fort Collins, CO

Steve Tatarchuk

Monic Fly Fishing

WETFLY

The Clymb

Palette

Phil & Teds

Hardy North America, Ltd.

Sierra Trading Post

Rocky Mountain Adventures

Handel Information Technologies

University of Wyoming

University of Wyoming