Karen Meshkov

Sales, marketing and client relationship management professional with a career spanning health and wellness, recruiting, retail, publishing, and entrepreneurship in small & startup business environments. A 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher with a longstanding practice in movement, mindfulness, and mind-body wellness, currently completing NASM Certified Personal Trainer training. Brings deep experience in B2C and B2B sales and marketing, relationship building, client development and coaching people through change.

MBA and entrepreneur with a track record of growing revenue, building community and creating high-touch client experiences.

Founder at Independent Executive, Life and Career Coaching & Consulting Practice (2023-01 – Present)

• Built an independent coaching and consulting practice serving more than 150 professionals through periods of growth, transition and reinvention.
• Coach clients through self-assessment, goal setting, reflection, accountability and practical action.
• Developed a high-touch coaching model focused on individual strengths, values, needs and sustainable behavior change.
• Grew the practice from individual hourly services into higher-value coaching and advisory engagements through relationships, referrals and reputation.
• Facilitate individual and group experiences focused on communication, resilience, leadership, growth and change.

Business Development, Growth & Client Strategy at Executive Search & Talent Advisory (2019-01 – 2025-12)

Held progressive roles across three recruiting and talent advisory businesses, advancing from recruiting and client development into Director of Business Development, Partner and Senior Advisor roles.

• Built and managed high-touch relationships with founders, executives and business leaders while selling professional services across startup, retail, consumer and manufacturing environments.
• Generated new business through networking, outbound prospecting, social selling, referrals and strategic relationship development.
• Helped drive 150% year-over-year growth at a high-growth startup that was subsequently recognized on the Inc. 5000.
• Expanded business across multiple U.S. markets through targeted business-development and market-expansion strategies.
• Identified and helped build a new retained executive search and advisory offering, including its value proposition and go-to-market approach.
• Negotiated contracts, closed new accounts and developed customized solutions around client needs.
• Built an industry newsletter from approximately 100 to 10,000 subscribers, using content and community to deepen relationships and support business development.

Publisher & Owner at Health & Wellness Media Business (2015-01 – 2018-12)

• Owned and operated a local health and wellness media business connecting consumers with practitioners, businesses and resources throughout the wellness community.
• Led advertising sales, marketing, editorial, digital content and distribution while developing strong relationships across the local health and wellness ecosystem.
• Increased topline sales 40% and improved customer retention 70% through relationship-based selling, community engagement and targeted marketing.
• Consistently ranked in the top 20% of franchises nationally and was invited to share best practices at the annual conference.
• Managed a remote editorial and distribution team and successfully sold the business to another publisher in 2018.

Owner / Retail Operations & Growth at Multi-Location Optical Retail Business (2008-01 – 2015-12)

• Helped lead a family-owned optical business encompassing seven retail locations, a manufacturing lab and medical optical practice through a period of growth and ultimately a successful exit.
• Built extensive hands-on experience in B2C sales, customer experience, retail operations and relationship-based service.
• Managed and trained approximately 30 employees in customer service, retail technology and visual merchandising.
• Led a Small & Local rebranding initiative and developed promotional and customer-acquisition programs to drive consumer sales.
• Managed agencies and vendors and negotiated multi-market advertising buys.

Arts Management, Events & Community Programming at Arts & Cultural Organizations (2000-01 – 2005-12)

The Kimmel Center • The Painted Bride Art Center • Pennsylvania Council on the Arts

Master of Business Administration in Human Resources Management & Services – La Salle University

BA in Communications & Theater – The George Washington University