About
Relationships open doors. Experience helps move opportunities forward.
With more than three decades of experience in executive sales, business development, territory management, team leadership, operations, and education, Michele Bastone has built her career around opening doors, growing revenue, and helping people recognize opportunities they may otherwise have missed.
Her background spans executive sales leadership, regional market development, national account strategy, consultative selling, team leadership, operations, team development, and professional education. Michele has led large territories and teams, built lasting client relationships, taught sales professionals and college students, and developed strategies that improved prospecting, closing performance, operational execution, and revenue growth.
Today, Michele works with companies, operators, and project sponsors that need an experienced relationship builder and business development professional without the cost or overhead of adding another full time executive. She helps identify new opportunities, reach the right people, create meaningful introductions, and move promising conversations toward action.
Her approach is personal, persistent, and grounded in trust. Michele listens first, understands what matters, connects the right people, and stays involved until the next step is clear.
Career & leadership
A career of connecting people and opportunities
Michele Has Money · Lightening Bug Consultants
Business development, investor relations, and strategic introductions for companies and project sponsors.
Xtime
Sales and business development within automotive technology.
Valvoline
Sales leadership and territory development.
Los Angeles Film School
Education and professional development.
The Walt Disney Company · Radio Disney
Sales and station management, motivating teams and building client relationships.
Michele’s experience as an educator and sales leader also shapes her work as a public speaker. She brings practical lessons from executive sales, business development, team leadership, operations, consultative selling, and professional education into conversations designed to inform, motivate, and help people take meaningful action.

The person behind the work
Michele’s warmth is not a marketing strategy. It is part of who she is. She values family, community, laughter, and genuine friendships. Those everyday relationships keep her grounded and influence the way she approaches every introduction, project, and professional partnership.
Connect NowIn their words
Testimonials
What colleagues, clients, and team members say about working with Michele.
Amy ThomasSr. Multi-Solutions Sales Manager · teammate
“I’ve never encountered anyone with her level of drive. Her enthusiasm and positivity are infectious, and she consistently delivers on her commitments.”
Karyn EskenExecutive Management Consultant · Radio Disney
“An exceptional manager of people, engaging and motivating her sales and promo teams to great success.”
Todd LoomisSales Coaching & Leadership · colleague
“A highly driven, passionate, and creative doer. I’m always impressed by her ability to connect people, businesses, and ideas.”
Rob SahlinMultimedia Account Executive · direct report
“Everything anyone could want in a leader: supportive, positive, demanding, loyal, and goal oriented.”
Vanessa HamiltonGlobal Brand Leader · direct report
“A passionate leader who takes the time to identify how to motivate, educate, and manage each member of her team.”
Michelle BoleyLicensed Insurance Agent · former client
“One of the very best I’ve ever worked with: always pleasant, enthusiastic, helpful, and above and beyond.”
More testimonials ↓
Tina HatcherOwner, 3i Advertising/PR
“She has always gone above and beyond. An amazing manager, talented at problem solving and finding unique ways to help attain business goals.”
Kimberly MunozMarketing & Promotions
“A passionate, high energy, enthusiastic leader and seller. An out of the box thinker, focused, driven, and well respected.”
Rob ThompsonSports & Media
“A true pro at management, training, selling, motivating, and supporting her sales and operations staff.”
Deb McLeanStrategic Partnerships · manager
“The consummate professional: hard work, ethics, organization, and strategic planning, and a genuinely nice person.”
Let’s start with a conversation.
A relaxed and pressure free opportunity to connect and explore where Michele may be able to help.
Schedule a Conversation