Merchant's FinLink taps Rafa.ai in professional matchmaking partnership
By Leo AlmazoraRead on InvestmentNews (opens in a new tab)Coverage by InvestmentNews
Clients & results
Results, not promises.
Clients and partners of Garden State Consulting Group, plus the track record our founder, John Mikhaylov, built leading sales, marketing and operations before founding GSCG in 2024.
Clients & partners
Who we've worked with
FinLink
An M&A, succession, recruiting and jobs platform for about 80,000 financial advisors, RIAs and CPAs. Its marketplaces let financial professionals buy or sell a practice, recruit and get hired, and find office space, and the platform has its own AI tool, Lynk. Our founder, John Mikhaylov, is FinLink's Chief Operating Officer.
The ARKIN Group
A New York-based boutique strategic intelligence firm led by founder and chairman Jack Devine, former chief of worldwide operations for the CIA. It helps global clients mitigate risk and maximize opportunities across industries and geographies through geopolitical intelligence, enhanced due diligence, complex multi-jurisdictional investigations, and security and preparedness planning.
Merchant Investment Management
A New York-based strategic and capital partner to independent wealth management firms, RIAs and other financial services companies run by founders and entrepreneurs, founded in 2016. It provides minority equity capital, custom credit solutions, essential business services such as compliance and transition support, and alternative investment solutions.
USA Wholesale
A B2B wholesale supplier that curates international groceries, exclusive gifts, everyday essentials and discount finds for bodegas, boutiques and other independent retailers. Its catalog spans food and beverage, home and kitchen, and office and school, with low minimum orders, flexible and mixed case sizes, and fulfillment through 3PL partners.
Telquest International
A Fairfield, NJ-based independent reseller of telecommunications, networking, video, computer, server and IT equipment, with more than 30 years in the industry. It carries brands such as Cisco, Poly, Dell, HP and Yealink, stocks phone system accessories such as headsets and conference phones, and offers same-day shipping, testing and repair, and an equipment buyback program.
Diamond Trading Group
A worldwide trading and distribution company in consumer goods and electronics, with offices in New York City, Eatontown, NJ and Miami. It sources products from established brands at competitive prices and helps legacy and emerging brands grow through strategic relationships, consultation, and domestic and international B2B and B2C distribution.
GSM Depot
Founded in 2008 by two lifelong friends, GSM Depot describes itself as one of Canada's largest independent retailers of tools and kitchen products. Based in Canada with an office in Miami, it sells tools, electronics and home essentials from brands such as DeWalt and Makita, and supplies businesses across North America.
Website design
Magical Palace of Wayne
A day care center in Wayne, NJ, backed by more than 35 years of experience in early childhood care. Its programs range from arts and ballet to sports and gymnastics, plus a summer camp, with background-checked, CPR-certified staff and a facility secured by fingerprint access and cameras. Garden State Consulting Group designed its website.
Visit the live site (opens in a new tab)
Recent results
Some recent results
32%
Helped a DTC brand lift email revenue by 32% in 60 days
44%
Redesigned a lead gen site that increased conversion rate by 44%
$1M+
Built an outbound system that delivered $1M+ in pipeline in 90 days
In the press
Our founder in the news
Press coverage of John Mikhaylov, Founder & CEO of Garden State Consulting Group.
As seen in
- InvestmentNews
- Yahoo Finance
- PR Newswire
- TMCnet
- StreetInsider
- citybiz
- ADVFN
Yahoo Finance
PR Newswire
TMCnet
StreetInsider
citybiz
ADVFN
Recognition
- NJ Business Leadership Award
- Carrier of the YearVerizon Wireless
- Manager of the YearVerizon Wireless
- Presidents Leadership AwardVerizon Wireless
Track record before GSCG
Wins from operating roles
Results from roles where our founder, John Mikhaylov, led sales, marketing and operations before founding Garden State Consulting Group. They show the operator playbook the firm now brings to clients.
Gogotech
Divisional VP, Global Sales
With P&L ownership of a $150M direct-to-consumer business, John drove a rapid revenue ramp while making acquisition spend more efficient and building the B2B channel.
$7M → $11.5M
Monthly revenue, in 60 days
$150M
DTC business, full P&L ownership
-42%
Google ad spend
+76%
B2B growth
Mile Square Labs
Sales Management Consultant
Working with Mile Square Labs client PayGarden, John led outreach and sales that won new client contracts producing $1M in new recurring revenue.
$1M
New recurring revenue for PayGarden
EarthCam
VP of Sales
Doubled the size of the sales team and delivered the company's three best quarters ever at the same time.
3
Best quarters in company history
2×
Sales team size, doubled
OnTrak Solutions
Director of Sales
John grew digital reach and led a partner relaunch that moved revenue.
+351%
Website traffic
+25%
Revenue from the T-Mobile relaunch
Randstad Technologies
Senior Account Executive
John managed the Verizon Wireless strategic relationship and positioned Randstad for 4 solutions engagements.
4
Solutions engagements within Verizon Wireless
Sales Depot Inc
Founder & CEO
John built an e-commerce electronics and home goods business to $2M in its first year, with Amazon, eBay and Groupon partnerships and Preferred Seller status, then sold the company.
$2M
Revenue in year one
Exit
Company sold
Verizon Wireless
Associate Director of Sales & Operations
John managed the Radio Shack account and led all operations for the $850M nationwide authorized retailer channel, growing YoY prepaid and postpaid revenue by double digits.
$850M
Nationwide authorized retailer channel, all operations led
$50M
Co-op advertising budget directed
Double digits
YoY prepaid and postpaid revenue growth
Awards
Carrier of the Year
Manager of the Year
Presidents Leadership Award
Manager of the Year
Presidents Leadership Award
Track record results are from John Mikhaylov's operating roles at the companies named, before he founded Garden State Consulting Group.
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