Michele Van Lieu, Associate
Michele Van Lieu's unique ability to respond to market needs by hiring the right people, developing them, setting them up for success, coaching them through transition, and teaching them how to be profitable has made her a sought-after expert for many start-up companies. Whether the business is coffee, books, marketing, interactive children’s television or financial services - Michele's depth of expertise has been a critical factor in their success.
Michele comes from several generations of entrepreneurs where both the men and women of the family were integral to the success of each generation's business. She learned at a very early age what made her family's businesses profitable-hard work and a commitment to excellence that is second to none. Armed with that knowledge, determination, business acumen beyond her years, and an entrepreneurial spirit, Michele began running a profit and loss center for Barnes and Noble.
She was later recruited by Starbucks and tasked with opening new locations in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, and she went from zero to over 25 in less than two years while maintaining the highest level of customer service in all locations. In addition, Michele had direct management oversight over five profitable stores, and hired and trained staff to oversee an additional 30 stores.
Michele has also enjoyed tremendous success in launching a business to business advertising firm where she served as the Chief Operations Officer in a company that specialized in entertainment, fashion, beauty and ecommerce at the beginning of the internet’s growth.
In an effort to be more actively involved to business development activities, Michele served as the Eastern Regional Sales Manager for a top email marketing solutions provider, where she had annual financial responsibility of $15m.
Michele later answered the call of her passion and entrepreneurial endeavors by becoming one of the founding employees of what grew to be a fifty person childrens educational intellectual property (television show) and licensing company. In her role as Chief Operations Officer, she was responsible for all financial, technical, operational and human resources aspects of the business. The company became the first new recipient of a grant valued at $40 million for educational programs to air on public television.
Michele brings to Element Financial Group and her clients an unparalleled depth of knowledge of the entrepreneurial endeavor. She combines her knowledge of strategy, operations and business development to find solutions to her client's financial needs.
As a formerly single mother raising a young daughter and a teenage step-daughter, Michele has a deep understanding and empathy as to the complexities of life that often prevent women from securing their financial future. Michele has recently married her soul mate, Gary and they live in New York City with daughter Isabella (3) and step-daughter Ariana (15).
* Insurance offered through Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company and other fine companies.
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