# Thomas “Mac” Harman

> Thomas “Mac” Harman is the founder and CEO of Balsam Brands, the privately held company behind Balsam Hill. He launched the artificial Christmas tree business in 2006 after earlier work in consulting, manufacturing and marketing. His public interviews describe a business shaped by detailed observation of real trees, patient financing, strong commitments to employees and the fixed demands of the holiday calendar. He also invests in and advises startups and serves on the board of Negrense Volunteers for Change Foundation - U.S.

- **Role:** Founder and CEO at Balsam Brands
- **Organizations:** Balsam Brands, Balsam Hill, Progress Wire Products, McKinsey & Company, The Clorox Company, ProService Boise, Negrense Volunteers for Change Foundation - U.S., Woodland School
- **Education:** BA in geosciences and economics; minor in environmental studies, Williams College, MBA; Arjay Miller Scholar, Stanford Graduate School of Business
- **Known for:** Built Balsam Brands from its 2006 launch to reported revenue of $75 million in 2014 and $115 million in 2016., Balsam Brands was included in Forbes’ inaugural America’s Best Small Companies list in 2016., Named a 2015 EY Entrepreneur of the Year Northern California finalist.

## Career timeline

- **1998-2001** — Worked as a business analyst at McKinsey & Company.
- **2000-2007** — Served as president and CEO of Progress Wire Products.
- **2004** — Worked in marketing at The Clorox Company during his MBA.
- **2005** — Completed his Stanford MBA.
- **2006** — Founded Balsam Brands and launched Balsam Hill from his Palo Alto apartment; the first season generated approximately $3 million in sales.
- **2009** — Guaranteed seven employees their jobs and salaries through year-end following the company’s loss in 2008.
- **2011** — Co-founded the customer service business ProService Boise; institutional biographies date its founding to 2011, while a 2017 interview recalls 2010.
- **2013** — Named to the Silicon Valley Business Journal 40 Under 40.
- **2015** — Named an EY Entrepreneur of the Year finalist in Northern California.
- **2017** — Named to Woodland School’s board of trustees.
- **2025** — Announced Balsam Brands’ global GE holiday lighting licensing partnership, beginning with holiday 2026.
- **2026** — Announced Balsam Hill webstores in Spain and Italy.

## Achievements

- Built Balsam Brands from its 2006 launch to reported revenue of $75 million in 2014 and $115 million in 2016.
- Balsam Brands was included in Forbes’ inaugural America’s Best Small Companies list in 2016.
- Named a 2015 EY Entrepreneur of the Year Northern California finalist.
- Named to the Silicon Valley Business Journal 40 Under 40 in 2013.
- Balsam Brands entered Internet Retailer’s Top 500 in its fourth year of operation.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — Announced that Balsam Hill was live in Spain and Italy with dedicated webstores and a new distribution center serving southern Europe.
- **2025-12** — Told CNN that international growth was helping offset weaker U.S. sales amid tariff-related price increases.
- **2025-06** — Balsam Brands announced it would become the official global brand licensing partner for GE holiday lighting beginning with the 2026 holiday season.

## Links

- Website: https://balsambrands.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/macharman

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/thomas-mac-harman
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-15