Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Volunteer Work
Languages
Timeline
Generic

Ali Smithson

Summary

Honors student at NJIT as well as a motivated business person who has participated and taken responsibility in retail business and e-commerce. In addition, a dedicated member of the local community, partaking in charitable organizations to support intercultural dialogue and community service within the Pittsburgh area. Also a passionate Tottenham Hotspur fan (London-based soccer club).

Overview

7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Stock Team Member (Part-Time)

Giant Eagle
07.2023 - Current
  • Part of a major Produce department in the 30th top-grossing US grocery retailer.
  • Identified and transported merchandise to sales floor, replenishing out-of-stock/low-stock items.
  • Greeted customers and directed to requested products.
  • Operated manual and electric pallet jacks, safely relocating heavy merchandise on sales floor for timely stocking.
  • Maintained tidy and clean work areas to promote optimal productivity and safety standards.
  • Worked with team members to complete the daily tasks of the department in a timely and efficient manner.

Partner/Operator

Blacksmith Brothers
04.2016 - 04.2021
  • Established an e-commerce business to sell products through Amazon.
  • Sold over 2,000 books to more than 30 countries.
  • Generated close to $40,000 in revenue Performed every step of the business, including purchasing, processing, shipping, corporate and customer relations, accounting, and finances.
  • Reconciled daily sales, returns and financial reports with professional accounting software called Inventory Lab.

Operational Partner

Olive Branch Restaurants And Catering LLC
08.2019 - 03.2020
  • Established the legalities of the business such as the LLC status, bank accounts, and agreements with online sales platforms (ex. Grubhub, Uber Eats, Doordash)
  • Established restaurant concepts such as its menu and design.
  • Opened the first ever open buffet Mediterranean restaurant in the city.
  • Managed business operations, including accounting, finance, customer and corporate relations, and marketing.
  • Generated daily financial reports to monitor business growth using Clover POS services.
  • Used marketing strategies such as distributing brochures and advertising on social media, growing the monthly sales by 30%.
  • Made a website and app to increase the online sales of the company. Provided and acted upon innovative ideas, including new food service concepts and sponsorship opportunities to stand out against local competitors.
  • Performed day-to-day restaurant operations, including personally serving every customer, assisting chef, restocking inventory, and sterilizing workplace.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Financial Technology

New Jersey Institute of Technology
Newark, NJ
12.2024

High School Diploma -

Montour High School
Mckees Rocks, PA
06.2020

Skills

  • Operational Management
  • Financial Management
  • Business Launch
  • Customer and Corporate Relations
  • Product Marketing
  • Food Sales and Promotion
  • Microsoft Office
  • Stockroom Organizing
  • Motivated Team Player
  • Sales Floor Support

Certification

MassMutual Foundation:

  • Future Smart Financial Literacy Certificate

Everfi:

  • Venture Program Financial Literacy Certificate

Southern Connecticut State University:

  • College and Career Readiness Certificate

Technoprep:

  • Introduction to Android Development
  • Introduction to Programming Using Java
  • Introduction to Programming Using Python
  • Member of American Mathematics Competitions (AMC) Team

Volunteer Work

City of Bridges Foundation & Turkish Cultural Center of Pittsburgh | 06/2019 - 08/2021 | Bright Light Academy | 06/2020 - 08/2020 |

  • Social Media/Email Manager
  • Executive Committee Member (Youth Representative)
  • Board Member (Youth Representative)
  • Pittsburgh Youth Group Member
  • Self-Improvement Seminars and Conferences


Other Projects:

  • Sponsored the Department of Human Services' (DHS) Holiday Project, raising money for children whose families can't afford to purchase Christmas presents


Languages

Turkish
Native or Bilingual
English
Native or Bilingual

Timeline

Stock Team Member (Part-Time)

Giant Eagle
07.2023 - Current

Operational Partner

Olive Branch Restaurants And Catering LLC
08.2019 - 03.2020

Partner/Operator

Blacksmith Brothers
04.2016 - 04.2021

Bachelor of Science - Financial Technology

New Jersey Institute of Technology

High School Diploma -

Montour High School
Ali Smithson