International Checkout

Company: International Checkout Inc, Santa Monica, CA
Company Description: Since 2002, International Checkout Inc. has been the leading global e-commerce solution, providing retailers access to the billions of dollars spent online by international consumers with no associated risks or difficulties. International Checkout guarantees against fraud, ships to over 250 destinations, and offers world class multi-lingual customer service - all completely free to the merchant!
Nomination Category: Management Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Executive of the Year - Services

Nomination Title: Saskia Strick, CEO and President

Tell the story about what this nominee achieved since January 1 2008 (up to 500 words). Focus on specific accomplishments, and relate these accomplishments to past performance or industry norms. Be sure to mention obstacles overcome, innovations or discoveries made, and outcomes:

Raised in Holland, International Checkout Inc. CEO and President, Saskia
Strick, moved to Los Angeles in 1997, where she was kept busy during her spare
time with requests from friends overseas anxious to acquire goods from America.
Because most US retailers did not sell or ship internationally, Strick would
order the goods on her friends’ behalf and then ship the goods from her home.
Recognizing an incredible opportunity provided by the unmet demand of
international consumers, Strick launched International Checkout in 2002.

Strick single-handedly created a business model unlike any that had existed
before. The innovative solution enables retailers to tap into the billions of
dollars spent online by international consumers with no associated risks or
difficulties. International Checkout assumes all fraud risk, guaranteeing
payment to its retail partners in US Dollars. In addition to payment and
fulfillment services, world class multi-lingual customer service is provided.

Consumers worldwide can shop at any of the 150-plus American websites partnered
with International Checkout, including bebe, Dr. Martens, and several of
Internet Retailer’s Top 500. With the click of an “International Checkout”
button, the contents of the shopping cart are seamlessly transferred to an
International Checkout page where customers receive real time all-inclusive
price quotes and the option to include duties and taxes.

International Checkout places each order on behalf of the international
customer, directly on the merchant’s website, following the normal checkout
procedure and paying with a US credit card. The merchant then ships the order
to the International Checkout facility in California. Upon arrival at the
facility, each order is inspected, packed, and shipped to the customer’s
doorstep anywhere in the world!

Strick’s vision and leadership have merited a 2,183% leap in revenues over the
past 4 years.

International Checkout experienced a 94% increase in revenues and added 70 more
retailers to its roster in 2008, which was supported by a mere 12% increase in
staff. This was achieved through continuous streamlining to the proprietary
software and procedures, including a significant reduction of customer service
workload due to the development of comprehensive customer logins, including
automated RMA system.

Additional landmark accomplishments under Strick’s initiative in 2008 include:

•             Developed integration code which transfers product images from the
retailer’s shopping cart to the International Checkout landing page
•             Launched Branded Checkout offering, which is custom designed to match
the look of the retailer’s website
•             Cultivated strategic partnerships with e-Commerce solutions, including
UniteU, Ventura Web Design, and Miva Merchant to promote the solution to their
retailers, creating the opportunity for exponential growth
•             Re-designed InternationalCheckout.com, featuring partner websites in a
user friendly Shop by Category format
•             Created a Partner Store Login, providing detailed reporting
capabilities including order detail, customer contact information, and billing
and shipping countries. This data may be exported and used by the retailer for
marketing and to develop international growth strategies

Strick has never accepted any investment or venture capital and the company
remains debt-free. She maintains 100% ownership of the business and of her
accomplishments.

List hyperlinks to any online news stories, press releases, or other documents that support the claims made in the section above. IMPORTANT: Begin each link with http://, and enclose each link in square brackets; for example, [http://www.youraddress.com]:

http://www.internationalcheckoutsolutions.com/newsdetail.html?newsId=1
http://www.internationalcheckoutsolutions.com/newsdetail.html?newsId=2
http://www.internationalcheckoutsolutions.com/newsdetail.html?newsId=18
http://www.dmusastore.com
http://www.internationalcheckoutsolutions.com
http://www.internationalcheckout.com

Provide a brief (up to 100 words) biography about the nominee:

As a child in Holland, Saskia Strick struggled academically due to dyslexia
which went undiagnosed in her younger years. She relocated to London after high
school to pursue a career as a model and appeared on the covers of such
venerable publications as Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, and the Pirelli
calendar.

Lured by sunshine and the American Dream, Strick moved to Los Angeles in 1997,
without a plan but with a strong sense of possibility.  Despite the fact that
she had no capital, college degree, or formal business experience, Strick
decided to launch International Checkout in 2002.