Grace Calderon
Fort Worth,TX
Summary
Dynamic bilingual sales and management professional with a proven track record in empowering women and managing non-profit educational initiatives. Expertise includes new business development, strategic planning, staff management, and multicultural market engagement, driving success through innovative solutions that enhance productivity and operational effectiveness. Recognized for fostering teamwork and adapting to evolving business needs, ensuring alignment with organizational goals while leading large-scale operations to achieve outstanding results. Committed to leveraging exceptional communication skills to build strong relationships and inspire teams toward shared objectives.
Overview
39
39
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director for Core and Veterans Programs
Attitudes and Attire
01.2024 - 01.2025
- Led training programs for women's empowerment
- Increasing women served by 50%
- Developed curricula for self-esteem, boundaries, and job readiness in English and Spanish
- Led training for the core market which equipped women with self-esteem, tools and wardrobe essentials to enter the work force
- Led training and programs for the Boots to Heels program, specifically designed for women in the military community, including veterans, active duty, and spouses
Owner/General Manager
Farmer Insurance Agency
01.2016 - 01.2024
- Managed a Farmers Insurance agency, selling Property and Casualty and Life insurance products to individuals and businesses
- Built and maintained client relationships, driving policy sales and retention
- Developed expertise in risk management, policy customization, and claims support for clients
- Led agency operations, including marketing, sales, and customer service initiatives
- Leveraged insurance licenses (Property and Casualty and Life) to provide comprehensive coverage solution
Park Lane Jewelry
01.2009 - 01.2014
- Hired to drive to build sales and increase recruiting for both English and Spanish speaking markets
- Introduced teleconferenced training classes, which were implemented by all Latino Team.
- Consistently surpassed corporate growth and development objectives in the areas of sales, sponsoring, and leadership development.
- Implemented field strategy to identify and grow the Hispanic market in targeted states by coaching consultants to reach their full potential
- Coached and trained Sales Representatives and Leaders to increase sales, book parties, recruit new representatives, and build profitable organizations Developed the first Hispanic Regional Leader
- Created training curriculum for nationwide distribution in multiple formats: webinars, web-based modules, workshops, and seminars
- Developed the company first Spanish Show DVD as a tool to train new consultants. The DVD has been also instrumental to train our non-Spanish speaking leaders on cultural differences between the Hispanic show and the core market show. My responsibility was to write the script, select people, and assist with the completion of this project, including editing.
PartyLite and Gifts
01.2006 - 01.2009
- Hired to drive sales to the Hispanic market by defining sales and recruiting strategies. Responsibilities included training and educating Hispanic consultants and developing workshops for English-speaking consultants on how to penetrate the Hispanic market.
- Introduced teleconferenced training classes, which were implemented by all Latino Team.
- Introduced teleconferenced recorder classes concept, allowing field consultants to listen and learn at their convenience.
- Implemented field strategy to identify and grow the Hispanic market in targeted states by coaching consultants to reach their full potential
- Developed 48 Hispanic Leaders trough mentoring
- Developed the first Hispanic Regional Leader
- Developed a Regional Vice-President
- Conduct meetings, opportunity events, and festivals targeted to the Latino Market in targeted cities
- Participated in three focus groups identifying the needs of the Hispanic Market
- Developed the company first Spanish Show DVD as a tool to train our new consultants. The DVD has been also instrumental to train our non-Spanish speaking leaders on cultural differences between the Hispanic show and the core market show. My responsibility was to write the script, select people, and assist with the completion of this, including editing.
- Lead two Latino Recognition events during the company incentive trip
Sales Director, Hispanic Market
Pampered Chef
Addison, Illinois
01.2003 - 01.2006
- Advanced by this distributor of kitchen products and food items sold through in home parties to expand sales performance in the Hispanic market. Position entails participating in product and recipe development, conducting field visits to California and Texas, leading training workshops, developing training materials, increasing recruiting of new directors and playing a key role in collateral development.
- Introduced recording of teleconferenced training classes, allowing field consultants to listen and learn at their convenience.
- Lead field visits to targeted areas with heavy Hispanic populations and direct opportunity events such as live kitchen shows at Hispanic festivals that attract leads and recruit new consultants.
Owner/Trainer
JES Computer Training
Carol Stream, Illinois
01.2001 - 01.2003
- Established a computer training center offering six-week courses on software applications, specializing in adult learning.
- Successfully advanced 60% of students to a better position.
Regional Sales Manager
National Catholic Society of Foresters
Mt. Prospect, Illinois
01.1998 - 01.2001
- Brought on by this non-profit organization offering life and long-term insurance and annuities to Catholic churches to generate sales through the selection of new insurance agents and provide service for existing members. Delivered high-impact presentations to Dioceses and individual churches in an expansive regional area.
- Led the team to top ranking nationwide, exceeding sales expectations by 900%.
- Created a business plan that propelled sales to a 700% increase; plan was later adopted nationwide.
Independent Executive Director
Kitchen Fair, Division of Regal Ware
Little Rock, Arkansas
01.1986 - 01.1998
- Rapidly promoted through a series of increasingly responsible positions that included Independent Consultant and Senior Manager due to sales and recruiting success to oversee over 300 consultants for this distributor of cookware, sold through in-home parties. Scope of responsibility included training consultants on home party plans, training managers, leading cluster meetings and attending conferences.
- Propelled sales from zero to $1.4 million, earning several awards for leadership and group performance and placement on the President's Council.
Education
Business
Triton College
River Grove, IL01.1992
Associate's Degree - Management and Trade
Instituto Mexico
Hidalgo del Parral, Chihuahua, Mexico01.1980
Skills
- Effective relationship management
- Strategic development
- Effective verbal communication
- Strategic decision-making
- Expansion into new markets
- Effective team leadership
- Skill development and encouragement
Accomplishments
- Achieved growth and impact for women and veteran women by leading empowerment programs at Attitudes and Attires with accuracy and efficiency
- Achieved sales and client retention goals by managing a Farmers Insurance agency with accuracy and efficiency
- Achieved expertise in training and leadership by developing initiatives for multicultural market engagement with accuracy and efficiency
Certification
- Enhanced professional capabilities through completion of the following courses:
- Life Coach Certification, Property and Casualty and Life License, Public Notary
- Dale Carnegie Courses, High Performance Teams, Public Speaking Mastery, Thinking on Your Feet: How to Perform Well Under Pressure, How to Deliver Winning Sales Presentations, Leadership Development Program and Coaching and Counseling for Outstanding Performance
Awards
Highlighted at a Local Hispanic newspaper as a Latino Business Women in August, 2008, Guest Speaker to the recognition of successful Man and Women in Newark, New Jersey
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Director for Core and Veterans Programs
Attitudes and Attire
01.2024 - 01.2025
Owner/General Manager
Farmer Insurance Agency
01.2016 - 01.2024
Park Lane Jewelry
01.2009 - 01.2014
PartyLite and Gifts
01.2006 - 01.2009
Sales Director, Hispanic Market
Pampered Chef
01.2003 - 01.2006
Owner/Trainer
JES Computer Training
01.2001 - 01.2003
Regional Sales Manager
National Catholic Society of Foresters
01.1998 - 01.2001
Independent Executive Director
Kitchen Fair, Division of Regal Ware
01.1986 - 01.1998
Business
Triton College
Associate's Degree - Management and Trade
Instituto Mexico