Anne Hicks-Bleecker
Thousand Oaks,CA
Summary
Motivated business professional bringing 18 years of entrepreneurial experience. Dedicated and personable with extensive experience in managing administrative and sales operations and personnel. Well-versed in training, educating, motivating and supporting staff members.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
OWNER/TEACHER
NATURES EXPLORERS CHILDCARE
01.2017 - Current
- Co-Own and operate a Nature Based Childcare program for children 4 months old and older focusing on Science, Nature & Play
- Evaluated industry competition regularly to maintain competitive advantage in the marketplace.
- Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment.
- Managed financial aspects of business, including budgeting, financial reporting, and tax preparation.
- Integrated cultural awareness into lessons by incorporating diverse perspectives and materials into curriculum.
- Implemented marketing strategies to increase brand awareness and attract new customers.
- Continuously pursued professional development opportunities such as workshops or conferences to stay current in educational trends.
- Developed and maintained strong relationships with clients, resulting in repeat business and referrals.
- Supported student teachers by mentoring on classroom management, lesson planning, and activity organization.
PRESCHOOL TEACHER
CONEJO VALLEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
04.2012 - 01.2017
- Ensured a safe and nurturing environment for all students, adhering to health and safety guidelines in the classroom.
- Designed creative lesson plans that incorporated hands-on activities and interactive learning experiences to foster curiosity and engagement in young learners.
- Evaluated student performance regularly through observation, assessment tools, and parent-teacher conferences to ensure academic growth was being achieved consistently across all areas of development.
- Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
- Applied play-based strategies to provide diverse approaches to learning.
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
BARKLEY VENTURES, INC.
01.2006 - 01.2012
- Combined best practices from two existing companies into core competencies for franchising.
- Enhanced employee engagement by developing training programs, fostering a collaborative culture, and promoting professional development opportunities.
- Conducted regular performance reviews to assess team progress, providing constructive feedback and guidance for continuous improvement.
- Drove revenue growth through the identification of new market opportunities and the expansion of existing products/services offerings.
- Negotiated volume discounts with vendors, increasing bottom line for franchisees
- Set up private label items to enhance brand identity
- Acted as field representative to 28 store locations, overseeing their operations, auditing their stores and providing any assistance and mediation needed
- Promoted a culture of safety within the organization by enforcing compliance with established regulations, policies, procedures, as well as conducting regular audits/checks.
- Developed content for an Annual Franchisee Meeting/Conference.
- Developed systems and procedures to improve operational quality and team efficiency.
- Monitored office workflow and administrative processes to keep operations running smoothly.
- Trained initial personnel, working to establish key internal functions and outline scope of positions for new organization.
GENERAL MANAGER/VICE PRESIDENT
CENTRAL BARK DOGGY DAY CARE, INC.
01.1997 - 01.2006
- Co-founded company in 1997
- Led company from its infancy through its growth into a franchise system, gaining small business and franchise experience.
- Increased overall company efficiency by streamlining operations and implementing innovative managerial strategies.
- Responsible for employee payroll, human resources, hiring & training.
- Cultivated strong relationships with clients, vendors, and partners to ensure long-term success and loyalty.
- Established comprehensive employee training programs to develop skills, improve productivity, and maintain compliance with industry regulations.
- Managed budget development, forecasting, and financial reporting processes to track progress towards organizational objectives accurately.
- Managed team of 25 employees at corporate headquarters, oversaw additional 20 employees between three locations.
- Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training and schedules.
- Analyzed industry trends and tracked competitor activities to inform decision making.
- Monitored financial performance, set budgets and controlled expenses to provide financial stability and long-term organizational growth.
- Excelled in customer service including implementing new services to increase customer satisfaction
- Trained new employees on proper protocols and customer service standards.
MARKETING ASSISTANT
CAPITAL RETURNS, INC
01.1995 - 01.1997
- Assisted the Director of Marketing
- Drafted contracts and proposals for Pharmaceutical Purchasing Groups and Wholesalers
- Researched various EPA and DEA guidelines
- Coordinated trade show presence, ensuring effective representation at industry events to generate leads and increase brand visibility.
- Strengthened brand identity with consistent messaging across various platforms including print, digital, and social media channels.
Education
MA Instructional Design - Instructional Design
Alverno College
Milwaukee, WI01.2009
BA Business & Mgt - Business Management
Alverno College
Milwaukee, WI01.2003
Skills
- Business Management
- Operations Management
- Business Development
- Relationship Building
- Process Improvement
- Performance Evaluation and Monitoring
Additional Information
PODCASTER & Panel Moderator at fan conventions
References
References available upon request.
Certification
CPR/First Aid
Timeline
OWNER/TEACHER
NATURES EXPLORERS CHILDCARE
01.2017 - Current
PRESCHOOL TEACHER
CONEJO VALLEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
04.2012 - 01.2017
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
BARKLEY VENTURES, INC.
01.2006 - 01.2012
GENERAL MANAGER/VICE PRESIDENT
CENTRAL BARK DOGGY DAY CARE, INC.
01.1997 - 01.2006
MARKETING ASSISTANT
CAPITAL RETURNS, INC
01.1995 - 01.1997
MA Instructional Design - Instructional Design
Alverno College
BA Business & Mgt - Business Management
Alverno College