About Bob Behan

At Pathwise Consulting, you will work directly with someone who has spent a lifetime leading businesses through growth, challenge, change, and opportunity.

Over the course of my career, I have operated businesses ranging from less than $1 million in annual sales to organizations exceeding $300 million in revenue. That journey provided experience across many different aspects of running and leading a business.

My background includes both small business and large corporate environments. Working with franchise hardware organizations gave me firsthand insight into the realities and pressures faced by entrepreneurs and independent operators. Leading larger publicly owned companies provided a broader perspective on strategy, scale, structure, operations, and organizational leadership.

More About Bob

Along the way, I also gained experience navigating difficult business situations, including bankruptcy. In one case, the corporate parent company of the business I was leading entered bankruptcy proceedings. I managed the operating company throughout the process, gaining valuable perspective on financial pressure, uncertainty, and business continuity during challenging times.

I do not approach consulting as someone who comes in pretending to have all the answers. Every business is unique. My role is to engage with business owners and executives, learn about their business, ask thoughtful questions, and serve as a trusted sounding board. I help business leaders sort through complexity, clarify their thinking,

Career Highlights

Early Years & Foundation

I attended the University of Minnesota Business School while working a variety of jobs that provided early exposure to customer service, retail operations, manufacturing, hospitality, and hands-on industrial work. Those positions included retail sales at Target Stores, gas station attendant work, event security, scrap metal operations, and was card carrying union steel worker at National Wire Cloth.

Those early experiences helped shape a practical, grounded approach to business and leadership. They also provided valuable perspective on hard work, operational discipline, customer interaction, and the realities faced by employees throughout an organization — lessons that stayed with me throughout my executive career.

The following reflects the path of my career — from recent leadership roles back to the early experiences that helped shape my approach to business and leadership.

Dennis Kirk, Inc. (denniskirk.com)

President & CEO

For more than 26 years, I served as President & CEO of Dennis Kirk, Inc., helping lead the company through substantial growth and the rapid evolution of eCommerce retailing. The business is one of the leading powersports aftermarket retailers in the United States, serving motorcycle, ATV/UTV, and snowmobile enthusiasts nationwide.

Dennis Kirk is recognized for its broad product selection, operational execution, customer service, and strong industry reputation. The company now offers more than 185,000 products online, more than any other competitors — while adapting to changing technology, customer expectations, and competitive market conditions over many years.

Glass House, Inc.

Owner

I operated Glass House, Inc., a gift store product manufacturing and retail business. Although the business ultimately failed, the experience provided valuable entrepreneurial perspective and reinforced the realities, risks, and lessons that come with owning and operating a small business personally.

Nasco, Inc.

President & CEO

As President & CEO of Nasco, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of a publicly owned Irish corporation Unidare PLC, I led a national welding and safety supply distribution company operating from 18 warehouse locations throughout the United States. The position involved leadership across operations, distribution, sales, finance, and organizational management.

Farwell, Ozmun & Kirk (F.O.K.)

National Sales Manager, VP of Purchasing, Executive VP/COO, and President & CEO

Over 9 years, I progressed through multiple executive leadership positions within F.O.K., ultimately serving as President & CEO of a wholly owned subsidiary of an NYSE-listed company. F.O.K. operated 1,400 franchised hardware stores across 17 states and was Target Stores’ third-largest supplier at the time.

The business operated across wholesale distribution, franchise operations, and large retail supply relationships, providing broad exposure to operational leadership, organizational management, merchandising, purchasing, and strategic growth.

Target Stores

Corporate Buyer – Hardware & Pet Supply Products

I joined Target during an important growth period as the company was evolving into a major national retailer. The role provided valuable experience in corporate retail purchasing, vendor relationships, product strategy, and operating within a rapidly expanding organization.

Gamble Skogmo

Corporate Hardware Products Buyer, General Merchandise Manager & National Sales Manager

At Gamble Skogmo, I worked within a large retail and wholesale organization serving more than 1,800 franchise hardware stores across 24 states along with company-owned big box retail operations. The experience broadened my understanding of merchandising, distribution, franchise operations, and large-scale business management.

Holiday Stores

Big Box Store Hardware/Paint Department Manager & Corporate Hardware Buyer Trainee

My early management experience at Holiday Stores provided firsthand exposure to retail operations, merchandising, customer service, inventory management, and the day-to-day realities of running high-volume retail businesses.