catalyst for change
ABOUT SHAWN
Founder. CEO. Speaker. Twenty-five years working with owner-operated companies. Certified Vistage speaker. Author of Marketing from the Inside Out.
“ Shawn is one of the most creative thought leaders I’ve ever known when it comes to innovation, creativity, marketing, and growth strategies. Highest recommendation to have him speak to your groups.”
– Brad Greer, Vistage master chair
A Career Rooted in Creativity
Before launching Kinesis in 2000, Shawn earned an MFA in sculpture and taught art at Southern Oregon University. He’s also a welder, a furniture builder, and a martial artist who received his black belt from Chuck Norris.
That unlikely background shaped a contrarian thesis. Most businesses are stuck copying their competitors, struggling to stand out, and overpaying for marketing. Twenty-five years of working with owner-operated companies has proven the pattern and revealed the way out.
Under Shawn's leadership, Kinesis earned the Portland Business Journal's Lighthouse Award, given to companies that make Oregon's 100 fastest-growing list five years running. The company became one of the first 1,000 certified B Corps and was recognized in the top 10% of companies globally for culture and governance impact. Shawn is the author of Marketing from the Inside Out, a certified Vistage speaker, and has been a member of both Vistage and the Entrepreneurs Organization (EO).
Speaking experience
Automate
Value Shops: Building an Automation Practice Designed for this Century
2024
SMPS Summit
Asymmetric Upside: Growth in a time of Exponential Change
2023
OEDA: Oregon Economic Development Association
Branding and Marketing 101
2023
PHRMA: Portland Human Resource Management Association
Finding Purpose
2022
SWCA (Southern Washington Contractor’s Association) Summit
Remarkability as a Workforce Solution
2022
SWCA Construction Summit
Recession Resilience
2020
B Corp BLD: Annual Summit
People & Profits
2021
Building a New Business Paradigm
2019
Pacific Northwest Defense Coalition Supply Chain Conference
Recession Resilience
2020
Association of General Contractors Oregon
How to Recruit the Best of the Best
2018
Pacific Northwest Defense Coalition
The Candidate’s Journey: How to Recruit and Retain the Best of the Best
2018
Real Estate Investment Trust
Marketing from the Inside Out®
2018
McMinnville Economic Development Operational Excellence
The Power of Storytelling
2018
Small Giants Summit
Talent Engine: The Secret to Recruiting and Retaining the Best of the Best
2017
McMinnville Economic Development Forum: NEXT Speaking Series
Mission, Vision, and Values as Competitive Advantage
2017
Oregon Manufacturers’ Summit
Sales & Marketing for the 21st Century
2017
The Candidate’s Journey
2016
Northwest Self Storage Annual Employee Meeting
Social Media and the Engaged Employee
2017
Advance Astoria Economic Development Panel
Planning for Astoria’s Future
2016
Oregon Economic Forum
What’s Next after the Election?
2016
Awards
Best For The World Honoree
B Corporation
2018, 2019
Best Entrepreneurial Companies in America
Entrepreneur Magazine
2016
Oregon’s Fastest-Growing Companies
Portland Business Journal
2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
Lighthouse Award
Portland Business Journal
2016
Publications
Pragmatic Marketer
Daily Journal of Commerce
Portland Business Journal
Octane: The Entrepreneurs’
Organization Magazine
Blue Ocean Strategy Blog
Education
Southern Oregon University
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Ohio University
Master of Fine Arts
Professional experience
Founder & CEO, Kinesis
Jan 2000 – Present
EO Strategic Partner
2024 – present
Vistage
2018-present
EO Accelerator Mentor
2016-2017
Entrepreneur's Organization, Member
2015-2017
EO Accelerator
2009 – 2012
Adjunct Professor, Southern Oregon University
Jan 1999 – Jun 2004
The Book Behind the Consulting Services
The principles and methodologies we use in our Marketing From the Inside Out consulting practice are detailed in our book, Marketing From the Inside Out, which represents the culmination of our decades of client work and our fundamental philosophy for how to run a business the right way and succeed.
The book serves as an introduction to our consulting approach, offering leaders insight into the transformational framework we’ll apply when working together.
Looking to engage Shawn for your next event?
Shawn loves partnering with peer organizations to inspire and engage. Fill out the form with some details about your event, and we'll get back to you shortly.
Prefer to talk it through? Call or text Shawn anytime: (541) 941-9920
