# Sue Welch

> Sue Welch founded and led retail trade-software businesses including IMC Systems Group, RockPort Trade Systems and TradeStone, which became Bamboo Rose. Her work connected product development, sourcing, purchase orders and international trade. She retired as Bamboo Rose CEO in December 2022.

- **Role:** Retired; founder and former CEO of Bamboo Rose
- **Organizations:** Bamboo Rose, TradeStone Software, RockPort Trade Systems, IMC Systems Group, QRS Corporation, Zayre, Forbes and Wallace
- **Education:** Holyoke Community College
- **Known for:** Built three businesses focused on import and sourcing technology., RockPort acquisition had a $101 million total acquisition cost in QRS financial reporting., Led TradeStone when it ranked 34th in the 2014 Massachusetts women-led-business list and received Gold Star Innovator recognition.

## Career timeline

- **1973** — Holyoke Community College graduating class; studied retail management.
- **Before 1984** — Worked in retail buying, operations and imports, including at Zayre.
- **1984** — IMC Systems Group brought PC-based import software to market.
- **1992** — Founded RockPort Trade Systems, according to the published Her Turn excerpt.
- **1994** — RockPort delivered Windows-based sourcing software.
- **2000** — QRS acquired substantially all RockPort assets; Welch became a senior vice president at QRS.
- **2003** — Founded TradeStone Software.
- **2010** — Presented with IDC analyst Greg Girard in Bremen on connecting merchandise design and delivery.
- **2014** — TradeStone ranked 34th in a Massachusetts women-led-business list.
- **2016** — TradeStone and the Bamboo Rose marketplace combined under the Bamboo Rose name.
- **2018** — Announced a Belfast development centre with plans for up to 75 roles.
- **2022** — Retirement as Bamboo Rose CEO announced December 8; Matt Stevens named successor, with Welch to remain on the board.

## Achievements

- Built three businesses focused on import and sourcing technology.
- RockPort acquisition had a $101 million total acquisition cost in QRS financial reporting.
- Led TradeStone when it ranked 34th in the 2014 Massachusetts women-led-business list and received Gold Star Innovator recognition.

## Latest updates

- **2022-12** — Bamboo Rose announced Welch’s retirement as CEO, succession by Matt Stevens and continued board membership at the time of the announcement.

## Links

- Website: https://bamboorose.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-welch-a3570
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/SueWelch

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/sue-welch
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-25