Shark Tank investor Naomi Simson has spoken for the first time about ‘orchestrating the dramatic coup’ that saw her return to RedBalloon.
This year, after visiting the office to ‘pick something up,’ the gifting company’s founder was left appalled by the way staff were being utilised, she told News Corp.
Naomi soon orchestrated a massive shake-up, with the chairman, CEO and marketing team all departing – while she returned for the first time since 2011.
‘S**t needed to be fixed’: Shark Tank investor Naomi Simson has spoken for the first time about ‘orchestrating the dramatic coup’ that saw her return to gifting company RedBalloon
Speaking frankly to The Daily Telegraph on Saturday, Naomi insisted: ‘There was all sorts of s**t that needed to be fixed.’
Her ex-husband Peter Simson was also a casualty in the overhaul, and Naomi now reportedly ‘cautions women’ about going into business with their husband.
The ‘all sorts of s**t’ the Shark Tank and LinkedIn (2.3 million followers) celebrity was referring to, included the ‘finances, culture, direction and ownership structure.’
She also ‘couldn’t stand’ ousted CEO Nick Baker’s decision to move the popular Christmas gift-card outlet’s into the travel industry.
Appalled: This year, after visiting the office to ‘pick something up,’ the gifting company’s founder was left appalled by the way staff were being utilised, she told News Corp
Elsewhere, the cost of employment had allegedly sky-rocketed (up by ‘a third in a year’) and Naomi believes staff were being used poorly.
‘I came in to pick something up and 14 people were crammed into a meeting room,’ Naomi recalled.
‘I opened the door and said ‘What are you all doing?’ They said, ‘We’re talking about the brand.’
She was left baffled management had that many people – both internal and external – discussing a topic she could answer herself.
Coup: Naomi soon orchestrated a massive shake-up, with the chairman, CEO and marketing team all departing – while she returned for the first time since 2011
From taking calculated risks and focusing on gift-giving, to a lean staffing structure: the ideals Naomi founded the business on had seemingly vanished.
Nick, along with many others involved with the coup have slammed the founder’s claims, insisting she had a share in the decisions that hampered the company.
Alas, six-years after departing from a company she’d help turn into a $50 million-a-year empire, she returned to steady the ship, sparking the huge staff overhaul.
‘All sorts of s**t’: Speaking frankly to reporters on Saturday, Naomi insisted: ‘there was all sorts of s**t that needed to be fixed,’ including: ‘finances, culture, direction and ownership structure.’
‘Couldn’t stand’: She also ‘couldn’t stand’ ousted CEO Nick Baker’s decision to move the popular Christmas gift-card outlet’s into the travel industry
Her divorce from co-founder Peter in 2011 was a large reason for her departure and Naomi appears to regret choosing him as her business partner.
She told the publication that just because women ‘trust’ their husband, it doesn’t mean they should go into business with them.
‘They might not be the best business partner in the world. They might not have the best skills… I would always encourage people to look further than the home.’
Back with a vengance: So, six-years after departing from a company she’d help turn into a $50 million-a-year empire, she’s returned to steady the ship, sparking the huge staff overhaul