Ping Pong
April Welches
El Sobrante,CA
Summary
Organized and dedicated Administrative Assistant with proven track record of providing exceptional customer service in fast-paced environments. Offering keen attention to detail and strong decision-making skills to manage multiple, concurrent tasks. Self-motivated work ethic to perform effectively in independent or team environments.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Language
Work History
Owner/Operator
Benjamin Moore Retail Paint Stores (3 Locations)
Sacramento, CA, Folsom, CA, Stockton, CA
07.2017 - 01.2020
- Effectively balanced multiple standard responsibilities and duties including, opening/closing procedures, assisting customers, cashiering using POS system, maintaining store cleanliness, receiving deliveries, unloading pallets, restocking shelves and refilling paint tinting equipment, while always prioritizing helping customers over completing other routine tasks; and maintaining relations by addressing issues promptly to ensure satisfaction and repeat business.
- Maintained accurate records on all transactions, payments, and correspondence with vendors/clients, by implementing an efficient system that streamlined operations and reduced information inaccuracies ensuring transparency and the need for unnecessary additional employee/vendor/client communications.
- Increased sales revenue and brand awareness thru effective product merchandising, strategic social media campaigns, and promoting various events within target audiences.
- Brainstormed, implemented, and delivered memorable store events, concepts and themes, followed by managing all event logistics from start-to-finish, such as catering selections, raffle prizes, and event layout, tailored to the company's goals and budget, ensuring seamless execution and positive guest experiences.
- Managed recruiting, educating staff on knowledge of paint products, techniques, and industry trends, and motivating retail team on the importance of excellent customer service, money handling and organizational practices to maintain optimal staffing levels, maximize team agility and store performance.
- Built and maintained strong relationships with customers, vendors and community to promote long term business growth.
- Established rapport with customers by actively listening to customers to identify and provide advice on paint selection, application techniques, surface preparation, product knowledge and awareness of promotions, as well as recommendations for optimal products based on customer needs, product specifications and applicable regulations.
- Developed & enhanced key client relationships and customer satisfaction by determined personalized needs, tastes and design preference, solutions that met needs and budgets without compromising quality or design, and providing personalized color consultations and recommendations based on those individual preferences.
Production Coordinator / Art Director
Brush Dance, Inc.
San Rafael, CA
06.2007 - 07.2017
- Conducted market research and analyzed competitor products to identify emerging trends, unique features, and niche ideas for development of captivating, high-quality, innovative, and user-friendly products with engaging content.
- Evaluated unsolicited artist submissions and market trends to identify creative opportunities for new publications.
- Facilitated brainstorming sessions and group meetings to generate new ideas, discuss product improvements and possible line extensions and discontinuations.
- Researched and identified best-fitting materials such as quotes, lay-outs, and design elements, to utilize as content within new products.
- Gathered and selectively decided most relevant images and accompanying content for maximum impact while presenting product concepts and ideas to executive management teams; keeping in mind company's overall budget and common goal of securing concise approval for further development efforts.
- Collaborated with design, editorial and marketing departments to meet desired content goals.
- Conducted pre-launch evaluations and user-testing initiatives that provided valuable feedback on potential products and identified areas requiring modification or improvement before mass production began.
- Grew product line originally consisting of only 24 items, to astounding amount of just under 100 items. Oversaw development of additional new products each year, conducting product prototype and printing inspections to meet specified standards, while also navigating and unforeseen delays and implementing strategies to resolve concerns prior to becoming issues.
- Carefully prepared design layouts into prepress files for offset, web and digital printing, maintained internal product, stock art, and quote database.
- Built strong relationships with freelance writers and designers, resulting in extensive network of industry professionals for collaboration, while simultaneously fostering partnerships with vendors such as photographers, printers, and illustrators to facilitate seamless project execution.
- Managed timelines for multiple project, budgets, simultaneously, ensuring timely completion within allocated resources, while maintaining high-quality editorial standards.
- Allocated and tracked workloads to designers, illustrators and other team members based on individual strengths and workload capacity to optimize productivity
- Negotiated contracts with artists, authors and agents, securing favorable terms for both parties while protecting interests of publisher.
- Coordinated and negotiated with vendors, suppliers and manufactures on pricing, services and shipping, as well as for the sourcing of components necessary for prototype creation, and production timelines.
- Edited and reviewed content for grammar, spelling, punctuation, accuracy, style, clarity and consistency and established workflows to streamline editing processes by developing style guides and editorial guidelines across publications.
Education
Graphic Design
Santa Rosa College
Santa Rosa, CAAdministrative Assisting
Contra Costa College
San PabloHigh School Diploma -
Horizons High School
Concord, CASkills
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe In-Design
- Typography
- Customer Relations
- Employee Training
- Clear Communication
- Active Listening
- Client/Vendor Relations
- Product Development
- Print Production
- Attention to Detail
- Retail Merchandising
- Organizational Skills
- Friendly, Positive Attitude
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Interests
Camping
Organizing
Work Preference
Work Type
Full TimePart TimeContract WorkLocation Preference
On-SiteRemoteHybridImportant To Me
Healthcare benefitsCareer advancementPersonal development programsSoftware
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft Office
Slack
Timeline
Owner/Operator
Benjamin Moore Retail Paint Stores (3 Locations)
07.2017 - 01.2020
Production Coordinator / Art Director
Brush Dance, Inc.
06.2007 - 07.2017
Graphic Design
Santa Rosa College
Administrative Assisting
Contra Costa College
High School Diploma -
Horizons High School