FareHarbor
Andrew Dillon Bustin
Summary
Creative business development executive specializing in strategic partnerships, tour and event management, digital marketing, and sales. Passionate and self-driven collaborator with a proven track record of bringing stakeholders together to achieve mutually beneficial business goals. 5 years of experience in small business ownership, business consulting, social media marketing, and event sales. Patient, outgoing, and empathetic, working seamlessly with diverse groups of people. Thrives on building relationships, making meaningful connections, and creating memorable experiences for others.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Producer
Feel Good Portland
08.2019 - Current
- Produced dozens of successful events, including two annual community-oriented music festivals, and unique culinary cruises on Casco Bay. FGP events have hosted 5,000+ guests.
- Cultivated relationships with a business network of 150+ local artists, musicians, food providers, craft beverage companies, sponsors, venues, and other partners to curate exceptional community events.
- FGP events have distributed $185K to small businesses in Maine, including: $105K to Maine's creative economy, $50K to Portland's waterfront boat charters, and $30K to oyster farms, local event caterers, craft breweries, and restaurants.
- Made sponsorship presentations to pitch to investors, sponsors, and other project stakeholders to obtain project funding. Ex: receiving State grants, private donations, and business sponsorships to construct an outdoor concert pavilion that doubles as an outdoor classroom for a nearby school.
- Applied accounting, budgeting, and management skills acquired in business school to successfully owning and operating a small business.
- Procured all necessary event services, photo and video media production, music talent, audio visual equipment, and other supplies to execute events.
- Deployed paid social media and other digital marketing strategies to market all events, creating all necessary marketing assets.
- Created a line of original merchandise featuring artwork from local designers. Set up an e-store using Shopify and managed order fulfillment.
- Supervised every detail of the event creation process to deliver on-brand, impactful, and spectacular events.
- Negotiated contracts with musicians, graphic designers, vendors, venues, and sponsors.
- Managed teams of event staff. Delegated roles and responsibilities, ensuring events were well organized and optimized for a smooth customer experience.
Business Development Consultant
Maine Huts & Trails
11.2022 - 08.2024
- Generated $100K+ in group hospitality bookings at Flagstaff Lake Hut, while collecting valuable customer data/feedback for the organization, leading to product development.
- Cultivated relationships with dozens of programming partners working to give youth and other underserved populations the opportunity to access overnight experiences in the great outdoors. Ex: Maine Association of New Americans, Veterans Adaptive Sports Training, Queerly ME, Boys and Girls Club of Southern Maine, and Portland Community Squash. Achieved mutually beneficial mission outcomes.
- Consultative sales outreach to 500+ business development accounts, including: high schools and universities, nonprofits, summer camps, wellness retreat leaders, outdoor recreation groups, and Maine Outdoor Brands.
- Cultivated business sponsorship leads to support the organization's Youth and Community Program, including $25K from L.L. Bean.
- Contributed to MH&T's ongoing website redesign project and brand development by vetting web design firms and creating new marketing materials and professional media.
Produced high quality photography and video assets for web and social marketing. - Supported and enhanced seasonal events, retreats, and educational workshops. Created Forest & Forage, an annual culinary event focused on wild edible mushrooms. Revamped other longer standing events, including Alpine Feast and Harvest at the Huts.
- Identified grant opportunities and assisted organizational leadership with grant applications. Helped raise $100K+ in combined grant funding from The Onion Foundation, Elmina B. Sewall Foundation, Maine Timberlands Charitable Trust, ME State Office of Outdoor Recreation, and others.
Sales Associate
The Portland Zoo
11.2022 - 11.2023
- Engaged with customers to effectively build rapport and lasting relationships.
- Provided positive first impressions to welcome existing, new, and potential customers.
- Maintained calm demeanor and professionally managed issues in busy environment.
- Accurately processed POS transactions.
- Rotated stock and restocked shelves to maintain product availability and store appearance.
- Organized bar inventory and storage procedures to keep stock within optimal levels and meet expected customer demands.
- Served high customer volumes during special events, nights, and weekends.
- Followed alcohol awareness procedures for preventing excessive guest intoxication.
- Performed opening and closing duties, printing sales reports, setting up for incoming shift, preparing cash drawers, and taking inventory.
Radio Host
WMPG, Southern Maine Community Radio
12.2020 - 12.2021
- Produced a weekly music show called Feel Good Friday, featuring 90 minutes of multi-genre upbeat international music.
- The show ran for a year and was a great opportunity to learn some new skills and offer positive music to the Portland community during the pandemic.
- Recorded and edited high-quality radio segments and curated playlists for broadcast.
- Operated studio sound boards and recording software for professional quality broadcasts.
- Engaged listeners through social media platforms to increase station visibility.
Photographer
Self Employed
03.2009 - 03.2020
- Photographed high-quality images for various print and digital projects.
- Explored film photography and traveled extensively (Ex: Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and many US states).
- Scheduled and booked locations for photo shoots, working collaboratively with clients and contacts.
- Digitally edited photos to enhance appearance and composition.
Sales Associate / Sustainability Consultant
Oxbow Brewing
05.2018 - 05.2020
- Started several sustainability initiatives at the brewery following research projects conducted during my MBA.
- Surveyed all staff to evaluate worker satisfaction and other measures of social sustainability.
- Monitored or tracked sustainability indicators such as energy and water usage, waste management practices, and supply chain efficiency.
- Built a portfolio of commercial photography documenting Oxbow's products, brand, staff, and production process.
- Worked part-time in Oxbow's largest tasting room, serving many thousands of guests.
- Explained menu items and suggested appropriate options for customer satisfaction
- Set positive tone for the guest experience. Offered all guests friendly advice and knowledge about the company.
Farm-to-Table Chef
Knoll Farm
06.2017 - 10.2017
- Planned seasonal, hyper-local, and healthy menus for all Knoll Farm special events and retreats.
- Ordered and processed organic local ingredients sourced from within two miles of the retreat center.
- Developed business relationships with local farmers to grow specialty ingredients.
- Managed Knoll Farm's seasonal food program budget and a small team of assistants and volunteers.
- Educated all workshop/retreat guests about the food system, the health and ecological benefits of organic farming, and how to operate a waste-free kitchen.
- Provided all retreat center clients with wholesome, organic, Vermont-based vegetarian meals while strategically reducing the farm's environmental impact.
Retail Sales Associate
REI
02.2017 - 05.2017
- Worked with REI's stocking team to manage the receiving, display, and organization of large quantities of outdoor retail goods on a daily basis.
- Assisted with camping equipment sales, theft reduction, and customer service.
- Encouraged customers to join the REI co-op membership program, and to apply for the REI MasterCard.
- Greeted customers and helped with product questions, selections, and purchases.
Kitchen and Events Manager
Origins Cafe
06.2014 - 12.2016
- Worked closely with family business owners, kitchen staff, and over thirty local food purveyors to provide a unique, farm-to-table dining experience for the Cooperstown community.
- Visited Cooperstown public schools to teach students about the Slow Food Youth Movement, organic farming techniques, and regional food systems.
- Sourced local ingredients from the farmer's market, then planned weekly menus.
- Prepped food for lunch and dinner service, creating unique, healthy, and delicious dishes.
- Brought food truck to concerts, festivals, and other catering events throughout Upstate NY.
- Helped maintain the school's garden classroom and worked with other Origins staff to establish a community garden at the local food pantry.
- Managed administrative logistics of events planning, event booking, and event promotions.
Senior Research Associate
The Trust For Public Land
11.2009 - 10.2013
- Helped construct the Conservation Almanac, a national research tool designed to map and analyze twenty years of voter-approved funding for land conservation.
- Worked with hundreds of local and state governments, GIS departments, and conservation nonprofits around the country to link economic land acquisition data with corresponding geospatial polygons.
- Wrote conservation finance feasibility studies for municipalities considering ballot measures for land acquisition, forest conservation, or public recreation.
- Served on TPL's Urban Team and National Diversity Council.
- Traveled frequently for events, conferences, and team meetings.
- Worked with federal partners in the U.S. Military to improve the Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) program, which strategically conserves land to create multipurpose buffer zones surrounding military bases across the country.
Research and Marketing Associate
Mediant
05.2008 - 09.2008
- Aided the President, CFO, and Director of Marketing with their travel arrangements, invoice processing, copy editing, and conference calls.
- Compiled a database of prospective clients for Mediant's proxy distribution and processing services.
- Planned and executed events and marketing programs to increase qualified leads.
- Collected and analyzed data from variety of sources to create detailed market research reports for Mediant's top-level decision makers.
Education
MBA - Sustainable Business
University of Maine
Portland, ME05.2022
Bachelor of Arts - Geography, Photojournalism
Indiana University
Bloomington, IN05.2009
Skills
- Consultative Sales
- Customer Support
- Sponsorship Negotiation
- Account Management
- Business Development
- Ticketing and Reservation Software
- Strategic Partnerships
- Event Planning and Management
- Social Media Marketing
- Graphic Design
- Creative Direction
- Photography and Video
- Live Music Production
- Project Management
- Budgeting and Accounting
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
Software
Eventbrite
Google Suite
Shopify
Square
Squarespace
Slack
Salesforce
Canva
Adobe Creative Suite
Calendly
Mailchimp
Timeline
Sales Associate
The Portland Zoo
11.2022 - 11.2023
Business Development Consultant
Maine Huts & Trails
11.2022 - 08.2024
Radio Host
WMPG, Southern Maine Community Radio
12.2020 - 12.2021
Executive Producer
Feel Good Portland
08.2019 - Current
Sales Associate / Sustainability Consultant
Oxbow Brewing
05.2018 - 05.2020
Farm-to-Table Chef
Knoll Farm
06.2017 - 10.2017
Retail Sales Associate
REI
02.2017 - 05.2017
Kitchen and Events Manager
Origins Cafe
06.2014 - 12.2016
Senior Research Associate
The Trust For Public Land
11.2009 - 10.2013
Photographer
Self Employed
03.2009 - 03.2020
Research and Marketing Associate
Mediant
05.2008 - 09.2008
MBA - Sustainable Business
University of Maine
Bachelor of Arts - Geography, Photojournalism
Indiana University
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