Professional Experience
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Teamwork is the ability to work together towards a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.
Andrew Carnegie
MOSAIC / GOOGLE - 2018
Pop Up Lead - Chicago
Led Google Hardware Experiential Pop Up to record results in Chicago’s Bucktown Neighborhood
Selected Brand Ambassadors and refined concept
Ensured store experience encouraged customers to make the connection between Google software and hardware
GLOBAL RETAIL SOLUTIONS — 2015 TO PRESENT
Consulting Partner — U.S. and Asia
Develop actionable customer acquisition and engagement strategies, transform retail store, luxury, restaurant, and hospitality environments.
Create national rollout plans for B2B / B2B mobile apps and software options for global brands in the U.S., Malaysia, and India.
Clients include: Consumer Electronics: Best Buy, Samsung, Micro Center, AT&T, Target
Licensed and Branded Merchandise: Disney, Columbia Sportswear, Hershey's, Clarks Shoes, Lenscrafters, Nautica, Hallmark, Starwood Retail Properties, Simon Malls, Chicago Cubs
Restaurants: California Pizza Kitchen (CPK), Capital Grille, Darden Concepts, Coopers Hawk, Levy
Luxury: Mercedes Benz, BMW, Porsche, Breitling, Rolex, Omega, Coach
Gourmet: Le Creuset, Williams-Sonoma, Nespresso
Healthcare: Sunrise Living Centers, ChenMed, Silverado
Store Closings: Great American, Hilco, Gordmans, Gander Mountain
BBW — 2012 TO 2015
Director Retail Sales Territory | District Manager — Chicago, Illinois
Developed revenue, customer base, and sales teams for 16 Build-A-Bear Workshop locations in 4 states in a high touch, interactive, metric driven children's business. Originated a clear, actionable strategic plan and vision for the customer journey and customer experience, both through online e-commerce and in-store.
Fluent in licensing, franchising, apps, and innovative technology platforms that drive new retail revenue. Led cross-functional team focused on generating new product, marketing, and promotion ideas for company's senior management group. Opened and perfected three new concept locations, including shop-in-shop.
Customized approaches to associate engagement, training, and coaching.
APPLE — 2010 TO 2012
Retail Store Leader — Portland, Oregon | Spokane, Washington
Promoted to larger-volume location after grand-opening Spokane, Washington location within first 8 months of store lifecycle based on leadership in driving sales success, store launches, and cost-effective management.
Drove revenue for large Apple stores generating $30-$45 million annually through through consistent strategy and tactical execution. Lauded for delivering Top 5 Performance Levels in Sales and Customer Service.
Motivated new talent internship program for smaller markets that was adopted by Apple nationwide. Consistently ranked #1 in market Quarter-to-Date (QTD) overall metrics, including key customer feedback. Recruited, trained, and developed as many as 125 team members and 7 managers.
Led underperforming location to #7 ranking, globally, in comp sales increases.
OMAHA STEAKS — 2002 TO 2006
Director of Stores — Omaha, Nebraska
Turned around 80 store locations for specialty gourmet retailer as Chief Stores Officer, including completely new real estate strategy, merchandising, and store designs. Delivered profitable results multiple years in a row. P&L responsibility included opening 15 new concept locations and closing 20 unprofitable locations to ensure bottom-line results.
Revitalized product selection, merchandising, e-commerce customer experience. Reinvigorated store culture, including incentivizing sales personnel and creating new, breakthrough training, sales, and reward techniques.
BARNES AND NOBLE — 2000 TO 2002
Regional Director of Stores — New York, New York
Reported directly to president of Barnes & Noble as part of Executive Operations Committee. Provided sales leadership for East Coast region; 110 B&N locations generating $560 million in sales, including 110 Starbucks Café locations.
WARNER BROTHERS STUDIO STORES — 1992 TO 1999
Vice President, International Franchised Stores — Los Angeles, California
High-profile global role overseeing sales development and expansion of 55 international start-up franchise locations in 13 countries generating between $150 and $175 million in annual revenue. Developed flagship, airport, airport, and shop-in-shop store designs for markets including the Emirates, Asia, UK, and Europe. Promoted from District Manager to Regional Manager to VP in seven years.
EDUCATION AND MEMBERSHIPS:
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Graduate Degree (Ongoing Coursework) in Business and Information Technology / Digital Experience / Social Media
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign — College of Business, Bachelors of Science in Marketing. Member of Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity
SPECIALTY RETAIL • MEN’S, WOMEN'S AND CHILDREN’S APPAREL, SHOES, ACCESSORIES • TOYS, COLLECTIBLES AND ART • SALES, MERCHANDISING AND STRATEGY • START-UPS, INCLUDING ROLLING OUT STORES AND PEOPLE STRATEGY • GRAND OPENINGS • MARKETING STRATEGY • FLAGSHIP STORES, INTERNATIONAL AND DOMESTIC • BRANDING AND BRAND STRATEGY • OFFSITE MEETINGS AND MISSION STATEMENT CREATION/DEVELOPMENT • RECRUITING MANAGEMENT AND SALES, FULL TIME AND PART TIME, INTERVIEW STRATEGY • ONLINE RECRUITING TOOLS AND HIRING STRATEGY • VISUAL MERCHANDISING, FLOOR SETS, MERCHANDISING HARD GOODS (HOUSEWARES, GIFT, TOYS, SHOES, ACCESSORIES) AND SOFT GOODS (APPAREL) • LEADERSHIP AND OPERATIONS OF SMALL FORMAT ( 1,200 SQ. FT.) AND LARGE FORMAT/BIG BOX ( 100,000 SQ. FT.) STORES • MERCHANDISE ASSORTMENTS AND PLANNING • TECHNOLOGY SALES AND MERCHANDISING • ENTERTAINMENT RETAIL • STORE DESIGN AND WAY FINDING • DIRECT MAIL MARKETING • OUTLET STRATEGY, STORE DESIGN, MERCHANDISING • REAL ESTATE STORE SITE SELECTION - DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL • VALUE ENGINEERING TO DRIVE DOWN BUILD-OUT COSTS WHILE PRESERVING BRANDING ELEMENTS/MAXIMIZING PROFITS • DOWNSIZING, RIGHT SIZING • STORE CLOSINGS TO MAXIMIZE PROFITABILITY • COMPLETE PROFIT AND LOSS MANAGEMENT • TEAM BUILDING AND TEAM-BUILDING EXERCISES • KARASS NEGOTIATING AND ACHIEVE GLOBAL SKILLS