Devon
de Balasi Brown
Consultant & Founder
I'm glad you're here. Find out what I'm up to, and if you want to make my day, get in touch!
Explore
PROJECTS
What if Offering Product Repair Was Easy?
After 10 years of working in the reverse logistics and repair industry, I realized the system we’re familiar with is not setup to scale.Consumers are increasingly asking for brands to be more active in battling the climate crisis, and are seeking ways to lengthen the lifespan of their products, and buy secondhand.Introducing Spruce, a subscription service that clears the path for retailers and e-commerce brands to offer care, repair, alteration, and resale.
It works right out of the box, it’s hyperlocal, it’s tech-enabled, it thrives at scale, and I think it can be “the tide that raises all boats” for repair in our society.I call it renewal-as-a-service.Spruce was born in the 2022 Project Zero Circular Economy Business Incubator program, winning second place in December 2022.I encourage you to contact me if...
You are interested in joining the team in a co-founder, technology, marketing, operations or advisory role
You are a retailer who would like to talk about partnering for a pilot
You are an investor who would like to stay up-to-date with our progress
You are a journalist searching for an exciting story
Fluster Creations, an indie game studio for the curious and courageous
Fluster Creations creates FLUSTER (how original), the social card game. It's a passion project which is now sold around the world.Our vision is to reduce loneliness, bridge division, and support wellbeing through play.
How We're Doing It
With FLUSTER, we create opportunities for personal reflection and deeper connection, one question at a time.
Since you're here, I'm going to give you my personal promo code for 15% off: DEVONCONNECT
Enjoy :)
BACKGROUND
I’m an experienced leader, a fearless problem-solver, a systems thinker, and a loyal teammate.My background is in roles such as the Manager of Global After-Sales Operations (e.g. ReBird) for Arc’teryx, as the Founder and CEO of Spruce Circularity, an apparel circularity climate tech startup, as the Director of Operations for my indie game publishing studio, Fluster Creations Inc, and in various consulting, advising, and fractional leadership positions.I love connecting with passionate and purpose-driven people to find out how we can partner to get results. There’s a question in my game FLUSTER about what aspect of dying I’m most afraid of–I’m afraid of regretting missed opportunities on my deathbed, so let’s get after it, together.My experience has taught me a wide range of skills, including people leadership, financial analysis, project management, reverse logistics, circular business models, product design, process development, sales, product management, wholesale, retail, e-commerce, customer experience design, marketing, and strategic planning. I am as comfortable planning five years ahead as I am getting my hands dirty day to day.I have a powerful combination of soft skills and technical aptitude, the ability to think big and broad, and be hyper detailed when necessary. That is how I helped 10x Arc’teryx and built its ReBird program, ran three businesses (game publisher, climate-tech startup, and short-term rental), and supported brands as a consultant or fractional leader.I want to build things, get results, work with good people, and see the impact my work has on the lives of others. Let’s talk.
FRACTIONAL LEADERSHIP, PROJECT-BASED SUPPORT, CONSULTING, ADVISING
The truth is I'm a human swiss-army knife. Throughout my career I've worn many hats, learned on the job, and developed a broad range of expertise.Here are a few examples:
Circularity and Sustainability Initiatives such as End-of-Use and B Corp Strategy, Repair, Resale/Recommerce, and Upcycling
After-Sales Support, Warranty Management, and Recall and Market Withdrawal Crisis Management
Reverse Logistics, Operations, and Business Process Improvement
Strategic Planning, Program and Project Management, Agile, Scrum, and Purpose-Built Work Management Systems
Product Development, Product Management, and Commercialization
Sales and Marketing
People Leadership
STARTUP MODE
A lifelong dream of mine has been to try launching my own innovation based startup. Having become a circular economy and apparel expert, I launched Spruce.Spruce helps forward-thinking apparel brands drive sales, boost foot traffic, and supercharge their marketing and loyalty with care, repair, and alteration services.Ultimately this model is good for business, solves a pain-point for consumers, nurtures local economies, and helps solve the BIG problem of textile waste on our planet.
Work Alongside Me!
I'm always interested in partnering and collaborating with smart, passionate, caring people. Teamwork fills my cup. If you need some help, or you bring something to the table, let's talk.
Hylo Solutions: I provide fractional leadership, contract-based support, consulting, and advising
Spruce Circularity: Are you a technical leader, or retailer?
Fluster Creations: Are you into marketing, B2B sales, DTC advertising, content creation, or graphic design? Or interested in wholesale orders?
Like many great entrepreneurs, Devon is creative, driven, and obsessive in the best way. Whatever a problem requires, be it ingenuity, analysis, or sheer force of will, he has the toolkit to solve it. Devon has put immense work into developing his understanding of himself and how he relates to others, which has enabled his evolution into a more patient and generous collaborator and leader, without compromising his high standards or ambition.
- Walker Banerd, Co-Founder, Fluster Creations Inc.
Documented Thoughts
"From this point forward you can help their situation or hinder recovery. Choose, because you can’t opt out."
Through trial, error, poor guidance, and many experts, I have learned a lot about concussions since surviving my own.I wrote this to help leaders and organizations support their people. Read the post on Medium.
Check out my past newsletters here.
Contact
Don't be shy. I really like meeting new people.
Thanks!
I'll get back to you within a week.