Tom McMakin

Thomas McMakin
Born	Boston, Massachusetts
Occupation	Writer, Business Consultant
Nationality	American
Alma mater	Oberlin College

Tom McMakin (born 1961) is an American business executive and author. He is the chief executive officer of Profitable Ideas Exchange (PIE), a business development consulting firm.

Career

McMakin attended Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio, graduating in 1984. ^[1]

McMakin was a two-time Peace Corps Volunteer, serving in the Boyo region of Cameroon and in Estonia. ^{[2] [1]} Upon return to the United States, he worked as newsletter editor and later COO of Great Harvest Bread Company. ^[3] He parlayed this success into a career as an author and business development consultant, co-founding the Orchard Holdings Group, an investment group focused on mid-sized privately held companies, ^[4] and serving as the chief executive officer of Profitable Ideas Exchange (PIE), a consultancy that helps professional service firms with their business development.

McMakin lives in Montana with his wife, Mary. They have two children, Valerie and Wilson. ^[1]

Books

• Bread and Butter: What A Bunch of Bakers Taught Me About Business and Happiness (St. Martins Press, 2001)
• How Clients Buy: A Practical Guide to Business Development for Consulting and Professional Services (Wiley, 2018)
• Never Say Sell: How The World’s Best Consulting and Professional Firms Expand Client Relationships (Wiley, 2021)

References

1. Hirschman, Carolyn (2001). "Business Unusual". Oberlin Alumni Magazine. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
2. SCHONTZLER, Gail (26 October 2011). "Dream Big! Bozeman kids help build a village school in Africa". Bozeman Daily Chronicle. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
3. Syverston, Donna (25 July 2001). "Rising to the top in Montana". The Missoulian. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
4. "At Tester's Business Workshop, Advice on Investing and Technology". Flathead Beacon. 11 July 2010. Retrieved 3 March 2025.