Ariel Thomas Shawa
Lake Charles,LA
Summary
Hardworking and passionate business professional with strong organizational skills who is eager to take the next step in my career. Prepared to help my prospective employer exceed company goals and expectations. Motivated individual with experience in customer service, sales, and management. Skilled in building customer relationships and understanding customer needs. Strong communication and interpersonal skills for providing superior customer service and team support.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant Store Manager
Sherwin-Williams Paint Store
DeRidder, LA
01.2026 - Current
- Assisted in managing daily store operations and ensured compliance with company policies.
- Trained and mentored new staff, enhancing team performance and customer service skills.
- Streamlined inventory management processes to improve product availability and reduce waste.
- Collaborated with the store manager to develop sales strategies that boosted customer engagement.
- Oversaw visual merchandising efforts, maintaining appealing displays that increased foot traffic.
- Analyzed sales data to identify trends, informing stock decisions and promotional campaigns.
Management Trainee
Sherwin-Williams
Lake Charles, LA
08.2025 - 01.2026
- Assisted supervisors in setting clear goals, establishing priorities, and monitoring progress to ensure successful completion of tasks.
- Gained knowledge of company policies, protocols and processes.
- Acted with integrity, honesty, and knowledge to promote culture of company.
- Used company reports to analyze sales, gross profit and inventory activities.
- Handled day-to-day customer or client questions via telephone or email.
- Described product to customers and accurately explained details and care of merchandise.
Sales Associate – Sales Development Program
United Rentals
09.2022 - 07.2025
- Utilized a consultative sales approach to tailor solutions around customer’s specific needs and pain points.
- Identified key Decision Makers and Influencers for accounts using SalesForce.com and other CRM software.
- Developed a consistent Cold-Calling Sales Technique, gained Sales Negotiation/Concession skills, and learned successful deal-closing strategies.
- Educated customers how to utilize CRM Software to accurately and efficiently manage their Job-Sites/Projects through all phases of construction.
Inside Sales Representative
United Rentals - Westlake, LA
Westlake, LA
05.2023 - 09.2024
- Answered customers’ questions regarding products, prices, and availability.
- Increased sales revenue by building strong relationships with clients and providing insightful product recommendations.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction through attentive service, addressing concerns promptly, and offering tailored solutions.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of available products to best serve customers and maximize sales potential.
- Managed friendly and professional customer interactions.
- Determined needs, delivered solutions, and overcame objections through consultative selling skills.
- Collaborated with outside sales representatives, marketing and other departments to generate leads and close sales.
Equipment Associate
United Rentals - Westlake, LA
Westlake, LA
10.2022 - 05.2023
- Performed daily equipment checks by recharging batteries and lubricating equipment parts.
- Removed machine attachments and waste material from machines.
- Ensured proper disposal or recycling of obsolete or damaged tools according to environmental regulations, promoting sustainable business practices within the organization.
- Stacked goods in correct storage bays by following inventory control instructions.
- Increased workplace safety by conducting thorough inspections of all tools and machinery on a regular basis.
Field Supervisor
Bayou Boys Construction
10.2020 - 10.2021
- Investigated issues and developed effective solutions.
- Kept teams on task to complete milestones on time.
- Evaluated performance and progress, and made proactive adjustments.
- Oversaw daily operations at site, keeping team production moving at optimal pace.
- Directed projects according to schedule and quality demands.
- Trained workers in proper methods, equipment operation and safety procedures.
- Inspected sights to evaluate safety, operations and crew performance against objectives.
Parts and Service Manager
BMC Sales And Service
05.2019 - 10.2020
- Offered hands-on assistance to customers, assessing needs and maintaining current knowledge of consumer preferences.
- Located new vendors with better costs per unit and set up favorable terms and pricing structures to reduce company expenses.
- Strengthened merchandising and promotional strategies to drive customer engagement and boost sales.
- Inspected rental equipment before and after rentals, marking changes in conditions and charging customers when necessary.
- Followed up with customers during and after installations to verify satisfaction.
- Met with customers to discuss service needs and develop effective and practical solutions.
- Met with customers to discuss service needs and offer available solutions.
- Assisted in organizing and overseeing assignments to drive operational excellence.
Parts Counter Sales Person
BMC Sales And Service
03.2017 - 05.2019
- Stocked shelves, built displays and merchandised products enabling customers to find needed items and products.
- Completed sales and service documentation for customer and business records and provided receipts of purchase.
- Provided exceptional customer support to every guest to promote satisfaction and meet service guidelines.
- Inspected parts for defects, removing damaged parts and replacing with new ones.
- Reached out to vendors outside usual network to find parts not available from traditional sources.
- Assisted customers with diagnosing problems for various equipment applications and purchasing necessary replacements.
- Conducted cash handling, credit card transactions and register closeout at end of business day.
- Identified specific replacement parts to meet customers’ needs, making accurate suggestions with confidence.
- Maintained extensive understanding of common problems and methods for repair.
- Organized parts storage and stocked inventory according to established guidelines.
- Maintained clean and neat parts counter and sales floor.
Veterinary Technician
Country Club Veterinary Clinic
05.2015 - 09.2016
- Greeted pet owners and went over available services, outlined costs and determined special needs of animals under care.
- Prepared surgical instrument packs and drapes for use in sterile environments by processing in autoclave under high pressure and high temperature conditions.
- Provided care for animals before surgeries, administering anesthetics as necessary for overall comfort and health.
- Administered medications to animals in treatment and documented changes in condition.
- Cleaned and disinfected exam areas, surgical equipment and kennels to prevent diseases and control odors.
- Answered owner animal health questions and advised on best care practices.
- Processed new patients and updated client records with key information using standardized registration systems and encrypted databases.
Warehouse Manager
Currie And Son Feed Store
12.2009 - 08.2011
- Inspected incoming and outgoing shipments to verify accuracy and prevent errors.
- Worked safely around moving machinery.
- Inspected work areas for cleanliness and obstacles and removed cartons and boxes to keep work areas organized and hazard-free.
- Manually or mechanically loaded and unloaded materials from pallets, skids, platforms, cars, lifting devices, or other transport vehicles.
- Performed inventory counts and stocked merchandise.
- Alternated goods in inventory by observing first-in and first-out approach to keep shelves organized and properly stocked.
- Operated forklifts to transfer inventory to and from target destinations.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Behavioral Sciences
McNeese State University
Lake Charles, LA05-2017
Skills
- Attention to Detail
- Exceptional Customer Service
- Cheerful and Energetic
- Problem-solving
- Inventory control
- Customer relations
- Time management
- Team management
- Work Planning and Prioritization
- Strategic planning
- Business development
- Consultative sales
Certification
- NCCER Core
- OSHA-10 Certified
- TWIC Card
- Safety Card – Safety Essentials
Timeline
Assistant Store Manager
Sherwin-Williams Paint Store
01.2026 - Current
Management Trainee
Sherwin-Williams
08.2025 - 01.2026
Inside Sales Representative
United Rentals - Westlake, LA
05.2023 - 09.2024
Equipment Associate
United Rentals - Westlake, LA
10.2022 - 05.2023
Sales Associate – Sales Development Program
United Rentals
09.2022 - 07.2025
Field Supervisor
Bayou Boys Construction
10.2020 - 10.2021
Parts and Service Manager
BMC Sales And Service
05.2019 - 10.2020
Parts Counter Sales Person
BMC Sales And Service
03.2017 - 05.2019
Veterinary Technician
Country Club Veterinary Clinic
05.2015 - 09.2016
Warehouse Manager
Currie And Son Feed Store
12.2009 - 08.2011
Bachelor of Arts - Behavioral Sciences
McNeese State University