Katie Anderson brings over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, with a diverse background in event planning and restaurant management. Transitioning into the rapidly growing cannabis industry, she is a natural born leader known for successfully building business through networking and delivering exceptional customer service. Committed to exceeding client expectations, she approaches tasks with enthusiasm and a strong work ethic. Katie's attention to detail, positive attitude, and excellent organizational skills make her a valuable asset to any team.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Artist/Owner/Operator
MEKA Art Studios
08.2017 - Current
Self Taught Resin Artist with extensive knowledge of diverse media materials and their skillful use.
Designed custom artwork for clients, meeting their creative vision and ensuring satisfaction with the final product.
Utilized social media platforms proactively to promote personal brand awareness while engaging with potential clients or collaborators regularly.
Contributed to creative process through original ideas and inspiration.
Sold original art pieces through online platforms, gallery exhibitions, and direct customer interactions, generating consistent revenue streams while maintaining an active artist presence within the community.
Vast knowledge of planning and executing Art Shows
Day to day operations of a small business owner.
Designed and executed original artwork for various private and corporate clients.
Recreational Cannabis Dispensary Manager
High Peaks Canna Inc
03.2024 - 10.2024
Increased sales through effective product promotion and staff training in upselling techniques.
Monitored industry trends to stay current on new products, technologies, and best practices in cannabis retail management.
Maintained a clean, organized store environment to ensure optimal presentation of products and ease of access for customers.
Reduced wait times for customers by implementing a streamlined check-in process and improving workflow efficiency.
Addressed customer concerns promptly, resolving issues efficiently while maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction.
Trained employees on proper cannabis handling procedures, resulting in higher product quality and customer satisfaction.
Implemented security measures to protect both employees and valuable inventory from theft or loss incidents.
Assisted in the hiring process for new employees, conducting interviews and selecting qualified candidates to join the dispensary team.
Developed strong relationships with vendors, negotiating favorable pricing and securing a consistent supply of high-quality products.
Ensured compliance with state regulations by maintaining accurate records and documentation for all transactions.
Implemented educational programs for staff, increasing product knowledge and enhancing overall customer experience.
Coordinated special events at the dispensary, drawing in new clientele while offering existing customers unique experiences related to cannabis education or entertainment activities.
Managed daily cash reconciliations, ensuring accuracy and eliminating discrepancies in financial reporting.
Optimized employee scheduling to maintain adequate coverage while minimizing labor costs.
Collaborated with marketing teams to develop promotional materials that effectively communicated the benefits of medical cannabis products to potential customers.
Hired, trained and supervised employees to maintain team of high performers.
Developed and implemented team building activities to foster collaboration and improve employee morale.
Restaurant Manager
Forno Bistro, DZ Restaurants Inc.
12.2021 - 09.2023
Promoted positive atmosphere and went above and beyond to guarantee each customer received exceptional food and service.
Carefully interviewed, selected, trained, and supervised staff.
Met, greeted, and encouraged feedback from customers and used feedback to implement positive changes within restaurant.
Led and directed team members on effective methods, operations, and procedures.
Tracked daily sales transactions and invoices for accurate and updated financial reporting.
Reconciled cash and credit card transactions to maintain accurate records.
Quickly identified problem situations and skillfully resolved incidents to satisfaction of involved parties.
Correctly calculated inventory and ordered appropriate supplies.
Monitored inventory of supplies and purchased orders to maintain adequate stock levels.
Oversaw front of house personnel to maintain adequate staffing and minimize overtime.
Effectively managed payroll and timekeeping, and paperwork for new hires and terminations.
Assisted in development and implementation of new menus to offer variety and options to customers.
Reduced process bottlenecks by training and coaching employees on practices, procedures, and performance strategies.
Managed staff schedules and maintained adequate coverage for all shifts.
Motivated staff to perform at peak efficiency and quality.
Handled escalated customer concerns with speed and knowledgeable support to achieve optimal satisfaction and maintain long-term loyalty.
Kept facility compliant with health codes, sanitation requirements and license regulations, alleviating potentially heavy fines.
Implemented effective inventory control systems to reduce food spoilage and waste.
Reduced inaccuracies by carefully counting cash and keeping meticulous records of transactions.
Analyzed sales data to identify trends and adjust purchasing decisions accordingly.
Coordinated with catering staff to deliver food services for special events and functions.
Assistant Wedding Planner/Bridal Assistant
Green Eyed Girl Weddings And Events
08.2019 - 08.2021
Directed wedding-day events, ceremony timing, and speeches.
Assisted with wedding set up and decoration.
Enhanced client satisfaction ratings by scheduling on-site service requests, managing show logistics and booth functionality needs to meet demands.
Proved successful working within tight deadlines and fast-paced atmosphere.
Maintained excellent attendance record, consistently arriving to work on time.
Makeup Artist
Self Employed
08.2019 - 07.2021
Conducted consultations to understand client's desired outcome and assessed skin type and face structure.
Kept up-to-date with style industry standards, trends and techniques to provide optimal aesthetics services to every client.
Employed variety of cosmetics to produce fresh looks, enhance facial features and manage skin tone.
Applied makeup in accordance with clothing style.
Scheduled onsite and offsite makeup appointments for clientele.
Maintained full stock of inventory and properly sanitized makeup tools to avoid spread of infection.
Answered phone calls and emails to schedule client appointments.
Sales and Catering Manager
El Blok Hotel, Restaurant, And Bar
02.2017 - 08.2019
Assist in the management of day-to-day operations and assignments of Catering Staff, plan and organize work, communicate goals, and schedule/assign work.
Establish client base of organizations, associations and commercial business through direct outside sales efforts for the purpose of securing business for the hotel. Accurately produce sales contracts, rate agreements and or banquet event orders.
Negotiate food and beverage prices, function space, and hotel services within approved departmental booking guidelines.
Conducted Hotel and Restaurant tours and entertained and led clients through tasting menus in preparation for Events.
Assist Clients with menu planning, food and beverage coordination, table arrangements, decoration options, etc.
Arrange all details of events to include room set-ups, staging, lighting, audiovisual, traffic flow, menus, decor, entertainment, group room blocks, VIP services and approved method of payment.
Plan and conduct pre-event and post-event meetings with clients, guests, and catering staff as needed.
Promote teamwork and quality service through daily communication and coordination with other departments. Key departmental contacts include Sales and Service Staff, Executive Chef, General Manager and Hotel Executives.
Monitored sales team performance, analyzed sales data and reported information to area managers.
Built deep relationships with store managers, business owners and distribution partner sales teams by employing industry expertise and knowledge, retail strategies and sales tactics.
Built relationships with customers and community to establish long-term business growth.
Collaborated with upper management to implement continuous improvements and exceed team goals.
Photographer's Assistant
EP Anderson Photography
02.2018 - 02.2019
Photographed high-quality images for weddings and events.
Digitally edited photos to enhance appearance.
Determined and adjusted subject position, props and lighting equipment while selecting camera angles to optimize final product.
Selected and set up appropriate props, backdrops and lighting.
Planned and prepared for on-location and studio shoots.
Shot photographs in controlled lab, field and remote environments.
Fine Dining Server
Next Course
04.2012 - 01.2017
Took and submitted orders that accommodated customer preferences and dietary requirements.
Suggested wine pairings to go with specific menu items.
Ran food from chefs to guest tables with dishes that required special serving techniques.
Managed sections for smooth flow of guests and orders.
Collected orders and relayed them to bartenders quickly and accurately.
Presented menus to patrons promptly after seating and answered questions about menu items, making recommendations upon request.
Shared knowledge of menu items and flavors, enabling customers to make personal decisions based on taste and interest.
Scheduled numerous reservations and managed seating arrangements simultaneously in high-traffic [Type] restaurant while maintaining calm, professional demeanor.
Displayed enthusiasm and promoted excellent service to customers, successfully increasing referrals and walk-in business.
Quickly and clearly communicated dining orders to kitchen staff, directing attention to special requests or dietary restrictions.
Carried out complete opening, closing and shift change duties to keep restaurant working efficiently and teams ready to meet customer needs.
Maintained order efficiency and accuracy through clear communication with kitchen staff, earning numerous recommendations from satisfied customers.
Resolved guest and employee complaints to maintain complete customer satisfaction and workforce effectiveness.
Increased sales significantly by upselling higher-end products to customers.
Supervised set up of banquet food stations and coordinated service to multiple dining areas.
Fine Dining Server
El Quenepo
11.2008 - 03.2012
Rolled silverware, set up tables and polished glassware and silverware.
Learned and utilized extensive bar and wine knowledge to enhance guest dining experiences.
Took and submitted orders that accommodated customer preferences and dietary requirements.
Suggested wine pairings to go with specific menu items.
Collected orders and relayed them to bartenders quickly and accurately.
Shared knowledge of menu items and flavors, enabling customers to make personal decisions based on taste and interest.
Displayed enthusiasm and promoted excellent service to customers, successfully increasing referrals and walk-in business.
Quickly and clearly communicated dining orders to kitchen staff, directing attention to special requests or dietary restrictions.
Carried out complete opening, closing and shift change duties to keep restaurant working efficiently and teams ready to meet customer needs.
Bartender
McGregor Draft House
03.2006 - 03.2010
Developed new signature cocktails to support bar marketing brand and increase profits.
Designed special drink and cocktail offerings on monthly basis as part of seasonal offerings.
Organized bar inventory and storage procedures to keep stock within optimal levels and meet expected customer demands.
Boosted bar profitability, mentoring team members on routine procedures and productivity strategies.
Set up bar for operation, obtained cash bank and stocked service bar.
Consulted with managers to organize special events and promotions.
Set up glassware, liquor and other necessary supplies for special events.
Maintained secure cash drawers, promptly resolving discrepancies in daily totals.
Handled simultaneous customer, team and business needs while avoiding unnecessary delays or errors.
Kept bar presentable and well-stocked to meet customer needs.
Performed opening and closing duties, printing sales reports, setting up for incoming shift, preparing cash drawers and taking inventory.
Upsold daily specials and beverage promotions to exceed daily sales goals.
Managed bar inventory, restocked supplies and placed orders for spirits, beer, wines and mixers.
Server/Manager
Cindy's House Cafe
11.2003 - 08.2006
Welcomed and greeted guests before presenting special menu items to clients.
Completed daily procedure checklist and communicated changes to servers and kitchen staff.
Analyzed and generated end-of-shift and product inventory reports for performance and quality tracking purposes.
Checked establishment, service stands and aisle area cleanliness before welcoming guests.
Handled guest complaints in positively and offered appreciation tokens to build customer loyalty.
Established team strengths and weaknesses and exploited opportunities to boost employee output and customer satisfaction.
Led team of servers to consistently meet customer service and sales targets.
Motivated staff to perform at peak efficiency and quality.
Handled money, balanced tills, processed credit card payment batches and prepared bank deposits, maintaining 100% accuracy.
Helped general management develop prices based on inventory costs and portion sizes.
Fine Dining Server
Cappers
03.2003 - 12.2005
Rolled silverware, set up tables and polished glassware and silverware.
Learned and utilized extensive bar and wine knowledge to enhance guest dining experiences.
Took and submitted orders that accommodated customer preferences and dietary requirements.
Suggested wine pairings to go with specific menu items.
Ran food from chefs to guest tables with dishes that required special serving techniques.
Collected orders and relayed them to bartenders quickly and accurately.
Hostess
Michael Deans
02.2001 - 04.2003
Greeted customers warmly upon arrival and provided friendly and warm presence throughout dining experience.
Took reservations and to-go orders by phone, answered customer questions, and informed of accurate wait times.
Answered customer questions about hours, seating, and menu information.
Supported servers, food runners, and bussers with keeping dining area ready for every guest.
Skills
Passion and Drive
Excellent Costumer Service
Networking
Time Management
Detail Oriented
Optimistic
Communication
Problem Solving
Critical and Creative Thinking
Teamwork
Superior Organizational Skills
Staff Development
Honorable Mentions
Katie was a resident of Vieques, Puerto Rico when Hurricane Maria hit the island in 2017. She was one of the founding members of Vieques Love. A 501-c3 non- profit that raised over a million dollars for the immediate relief of an island of 10,000 residents. Herself and a handful of other residents were the first to coordinate and land a plane full of satellite phones and supplies five days after the storm. They worked around the clock to provide necessities, and support where it was needed. Katie, coordinated 37 emergency evacuations with 30 second satellite phone calls.
Katie was a member of the Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC) from 2017-2019. She hosted and attended networking meetings with over 30 Wedding Professionals all throughout Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.
14 Years ago Katie created the online group "Vieques Peeps". A community help page with over 6,000 members that she still runs and admins to this day.