Mitchell Berk is a successful business owner/operator whose entrepreneurial style combines creative vision with superb technical skills. His career has been highlighted by innovation in multiple business sectors including cosmetics & fragrances, entertainment & lifestyle, spirits, consumer packaged goods, QSR, fashion, telecommunications, financial services and marketing services. Mitch has built and sold three companies that he founded, and participated in the development and sale of numerous businesses in the sectors identified above.

Early in his career he was involved in the development of the Retail Inventory Management system that today has become a basis for all retail businesses to maximize their turns and create maximum inventory efficiencies. While in the cosmetic industry Mitch launched the first “liquid soap” product under the Yardley of London brand name. Mitch was a producer of the wildly successful Super Bowl Shuffle sports video featuring the 1985 Chicago Bears Super Bowl team, which became the largest selling sports video in history. Mitch is also recognized as the founder and pioneer of the Music Marketing tactic leveraging musical artists with corporate brand marketing to realize unique synergies. The Jovan Fragrances / Rolling Stones relationship was the first of its kind and pioneered a category that today has become a multi-billion dollar industry. This music marketing tactic has also become a tremendous source of licensing, where Mitch helped bring the first products to market under the Lady (licensed from Lioinel Richie) and Gambler (licensed from Don Schlitz) brands and supported through a music tour sponsorship of pop star Kenny Rogers. The products sold $35 million on their launch.

During his 45 year career Mitch has worked with corporations like Anheuser Busch, Philip Morris, The Dole Food Company, Ericsson Telecommunications, Burger King, Discover Financial Services, Hanes Hosiery, General Mills, Pfizer, Alberto Culver, The US Army and others. He also developed business opportunities and strategy for major performing artists such as The Rolling Stones, Earth Wind & Fire, Tina Turner, Celine Dion, George Strait, Tim McGraw, and others. Mitch was the midwest partner, for national organizer Ken Kragen, for the Hands Across America program which raised $100 million in support of local charities to fight hunger and homelessness.

Mitch is a charismatic and highly motivated individual whose passion and energy are contagious. He is a team builder who maximizes the potential of employees and managers at every level. Financially, Mitch is a bottom line executive who instinctively knows how to find efficiencies, leverage value opportunities, deliver budgeted topline revenue, margins, EBITDA and maximize enterprise valuations.

It is his passion for maximizing business valuations and helping owner operators realize their goals that lead Mitch to founding SPGS, LLC.

Mitch identified a hole in the business development marketplace that was not being serviced by traditional consulting companies or investment bankers. With the goal of “partnering” with business owner operators, and not just consulting, Mitch created a relationship that proves unlimited resources, experience and knowledge from the SPGS Leadership Team that is designed to guide owner operators toward the maximization of their business valuation. Most relevant is the SPGS remuneration model is predominantly success based.

Mitch has conducted his life’s business and career objectives with the following goals in mind:

1. Do those things that you are passionate about.
2. Partner only with people that you like and trust.
3. Make a difference in the world through innovation and creativity.
4. Be economically viable…using your resources to expand your ability to help others.
5. Endeavor to create initiatives that will outlast you, with evolving sustainability.

Mitch lives in Highland Park, IL and Boca Raton, FL with his wife of 38 years and has twin sons, who are both married, with four fantastic grandchildren.