ALLISON B HOHAS
Charlotte
Summary
Knowledgeable small business owner with proven track record of successfully managing and growing business. Leveraged strategic planning and operational expertise to enhance productivity and drive profitability. Demonstrated ability in all areas that relate to the purchase, development, sale, and execution of the product.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Owner/Principal
THE PAPER HOUSE COLLECTION
Charlotte, North Carolina
08.2013 - Current
- Developed and executed the concept for a boutique wallcovering store and interior design studio
- Work closely with wallpaper companies and their account managers to identify and select wallcoverings that are available for purchase through the studio, located within Cotswold Marketplace
- Analyze market trends and drivers within the interior design industry so as to maintain appropriate and current product offering and line exclusivity
- Travel and attend markets to identify and develop new resources
- Maintain and track all sales history to identify sales and growth projections, as well as specific vendors' profitability
- Assess vendor profitability
- For the higher profit vendors, work with account managers to broader offering and scope of the line
- Identify key drivers and weaknesses of the lower performing vendors to determine how market the lines to target clientele for improved response/sales
- Consult with clients on wallpaper selection and design; place and manage all client orders and installations
- Developed, executed, and maintain website for the studio
- Created social media accounts and actively work to engage follower base and promote the studio using content that has proved follower response
Marketing Coordinator/Social Media
COTSWOLD MARKETPLACE
Charlotte, North Carolina
07.2018 - 02.2021
- Work with Director of Marketing to implement and execute social media campaigns, as well as print marketing planning and execution
- Create marketing strategies for social media platforms, such as Instagram, to provide and obtain additional exposure for the store and increase follower base, leading to higher volume of social media driven sales
- Developed consistent and recognizable account brand on social media through strategic feed posts that are based on follower engagement and response; implement promotions across Instagram and Facebook platforms based on the post tracking
- Create and collaborate on post content for Instagram that is determined by new merchandise, design trends emerging, products with strong in-store sales performance, and previous successful posts
- Implemented data tracking for Instagram performance and identification for all Instagram campaigns, promotions, and posts
Store Manager
COTSWOLD MARKETPLACE
Charlotte, North Carolina
07.2010 - 09.2011
- Launched new store opening
- Worked with owners to create and execute branding for store and develop marketing strategy
- Aided in development of website, implemented local print advertising campaign, and created direct mailings to promote store
- Recruited and selected vendors based upon the neighborhood demographics and target clientele
- Maintained and managed all vendors as store gained market foothold and expanded
- Identified key drivers in the local market so as to aid vendors in their product selection and floor sets/presentations
- Managed expansion phases, including store up-fits and vendor relocations
- Hired and trained new employees
- Worked with the staff to develop store culture and implement policies
- Implemented incentive programs to drive and develop relationships with interior designers to capture designer business
- Created and developed private-label upholstery line for store
- Assisted customers in merchandise selection and design decisions
- Oversaw daily store routines, such as assisting customers, staff scheduling, helping vendors with merchandising and sales analysis
- Structured and executed reports to capture, identify and analyze sales to determine top vendors, product categories, weekly/monthly/annual sales trends so as to maintain profitable vendor pool
- Maintained all store and vendor merchandise records, executed month-end reports and commission checks
Store Manager
INTERIORS MARKETPLACE/POST & GRAY
Charlotte, North Carolina
07.2008 - 07.2010
- Implemented the relocation of Interiors Marketplace, including supervising store up-fit, rebranding campaign, and re-negotiation of all vendors' leases and space assignments
- Helped to develop concept for and open new location, Post & Gray
- Designed new store logos for both locations
- Worked with printing and graphics companies to execute all marketing materials and signage for both locations
- Promoted and sold vendors' merchandise to customers and designers
- Assisted vendors daily with set up, maintenance, and re-merchandising their booths
- Worked with sales staff to ensure customer satisfaction in regards to in-store experience and sales transaction
- Developed relationships with local interior designers in order to drive sales as well as identify them as potential vendors
- Maintained all vendor merchandise records, ran month-end reports and commission checks
- Assisted office manager in creating, organizing, and implementing marketing calendar
Assistant Manager
BD JEFFRIES
Charlotte, North Carolina
06.2007 - 07.2008
- Traveled with owners and other managers to market to assist in purchasing merchandise for stores
- Helped to identify emerging trends and best sellers based on previous store sales
- Tracked and analyzed store sales by product category and sub-groupings
- Used the data for monthly/annual sales projections, inventory maintenance, and future planning and purchasing
- Worked with company sales representatives to create and develop private-label merchandise for the store
- Created and designed all marketing material for the new product
- Worked with local advertisers to create and implement seasonal advertising campaigns, as well as developed and executed direct mail campaigns based on store/customer demographics to promote store awareness and growth in local market
- Further developed and maintained the bridal registry by working with like vendors to cross promote their services and our merchandise
- Planned and executed store relocation/expansion, included assisting in oversight of contractors while space was being planned and built-out, inventory projections and product purchasing, and coordination of store set-up
- Coordinated with manager to create and maintain all floor and window displays
Assistant Buyer
BELK
Charlotte, North Carolina
09.2005 - 06.2007
- Analyzed weekly business in depth to determine drivers for each department, vendor, classification
- Studied current business as well as 3 month rolling trends to assist in managing beginning and end of month inventories, so as to keep the planned sales to inventory ratios
- Worked with vendors to determine sales opportunities or weaknesses, secure inventory, and assist with any questions or issues
- Assisted buyer in calculating and entering open-to-buy at month start and mid-month
- Use appropriate systems and software to determine receipts to date, sales, mark-up cancellation, permanent, and promotional price change plans, etc
- Forecasted sales, markdowns, and receipts
- Secured and purchased all off-price merchandise based on available receipts and sales trends
- Traveled to New York Market to work with vendors to build assortments/orders
- Organized and maintained all advertising, beginning with selection of featured message and merchandise until completion of event
- Tracked and analyzed advertising results by department, vendor, and group to determine if the message, feature, and merchandise was profitable
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Marketing
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT WILMINGTON - CAMERON SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
01.2004
Skills
- Customer relations
- Small business operations
- Relationship building
- Verbal and written communication
- Project management
Timeline
Marketing Coordinator/Social Media
COTSWOLD MARKETPLACE
07.2018 - 02.2021
Owner/Principal
THE PAPER HOUSE COLLECTION
08.2013 - Current
Store Manager
COTSWOLD MARKETPLACE
07.2010 - 09.2011
Store Manager
INTERIORS MARKETPLACE/POST & GRAY
07.2008 - 07.2010
Assistant Manager
BD JEFFRIES
06.2007 - 07.2008
Assistant Buyer
BELK
09.2005 - 06.2007
Bachelor of Science - Business Marketing
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT WILMINGTON - CAMERON SCHOOL OF BUSINESS