Kelly Frieze
Gilbert,AZ
Summary
Proven leader with expertise in operations management and market opportunity identification, driving growth strategies that yield measurable results. Strong track record in cultivating client relationships and enhancing customer retention, leading to substantial business growth and improved operational efficiency. Skilled in project coordination and community engagement, effectively elevating brand presence and customer experience.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Insurance Agent
Goosehead Insurance – The Frieze Agency, LLC
09.2021 - Current
- Insurance agent with hands-on experience supporting agency growth, driving new premium, and improving customer retention.
- Skilled in pipeline management, quoting and onboarding clients, and promoting agency products through outreach, networking, and community engagement.
- Experienced in maintaining compliance, managing policy changes, and supporting operational efficiency.
Regional Sales Manager
IKEA Al Homaizi Limited
10.2020 - 12.2021
- Design and implement a commercial strategy for the country based on business priorities.
- Develop country strategies for specific home furnishing businesses in collaboration with management directors.
- Maximize commercial opportunities through effective use of all retail media.
- Overseeing overall pricing of IKEA range to meet targets.
- Determine national sales, gross margin and gross profit budgets for the market.
- Delivered 10.3% comparable store growth across combined markets in current fiscal year.
- Implemented new competency mapping process to raise team competence and effectiveness.
- Developed and implemented process-oriented ways of working to improve workflows.
Establishment Manager
IKEA Al Homaizi Group
04.2020 - 09.2020
- Manage, lead, develop and motivate project leaders, construction managers and architects.
- Realize project objectives according to project briefs.
- Ensure continuous improvement of best practices in the establishment process.
- Lead the build-up of customer meeting points including design, construction, commercial fit-out, and handover.
Store Manager Development Coach
IKEA Saudi Arabia
09.2019 - 03.2020
- Designed fast track training program for new Saudi national store managers.
- Recruit and select qualified candidates for the store manager role.
- Facilitated training sessions to support individuals’ competence and development.
Store Manager
IKEA Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Jeddah
09.2018 - 09.2019
- Directed the second highest volume IKEA store in the world.
- Successful turnaround in commercial standards, restored competence and development of management team.
- Lead store team in transformation of business to multi-channel fulfillment.
- Delivered excellent end-to-end customer shopping experience in all meeting points.
Store Manager
IKEA Multiple US locations
12.2007 - 09.2018
- Improved gross profit by 4+%.
- Reduced costs by 10%.
- Increased productivity by more than 25%.
- Developed service design approach to IKEA Business which delivered 130% increase in sales.
- Marketing initiatives including unbranded SEO, digital geo targeting campaigns and many successful IKEA loyalty partnerships.
- Proven record of people development and succession planning including my own successor to store manager.
Store Manager
Target Multiple US locations
03.2001 - 12.2007
- Successful turnaround of underperforming unit resulting in 25% sales increase and designation as vision store for testing new concepts and company initiatives.
- Successfully led opening of first Super Target in Phoenix, AZ market.
- Developed 2 direct reporting managers to store manager.
- Achieved People Development Award for results in successfully developing managers and coworkers.
Store Manager
Mars Music
Saint Louis
03.1999 - 03.2001
- Successful opening of new market.
- Established and developed new musical instrument retail concept.
- Delivered sales targets, operational profit and hired/trained entire store of management and coworkers.
- Assisted in opening multiple additional locations during aggressive expansion of new markets.
General Manager
Sam’s Club
12.1990 - 02.1999
- Improved bottom line profit by $4M.
- Increased sales 10%.
- Reduced inventory shortages by 25%.
- Developed 3 direct reporting managers to store manager.
Education
B.A. - Business Administration
Missouri State University
Springfield, MOSkills
- Market expansion strategy
- International business development
- Client and stakeholder relations
- Vendor and partner management
- Communications and messaging
- Community outreach and engagement
- Cross-cultural collaboration
- Brand presence and media support
- Customer experience and service delivery
- Project coordination
- Public relations and presentation
Certification
Global IKEA Franchise Concept Reviewer
Timeline
Insurance Agent
Goosehead Insurance – The Frieze Agency, LLC
09.2021 - Current
Regional Sales Manager
IKEA Al Homaizi Limited
10.2020 - 12.2021
Establishment Manager
IKEA Al Homaizi Group
04.2020 - 09.2020
Store Manager Development Coach
IKEA Saudi Arabia
09.2019 - 03.2020
Store Manager
IKEA Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
09.2018 - 09.2019
Store Manager
IKEA Multiple US locations
12.2007 - 09.2018
Store Manager
Target Multiple US locations
03.2001 - 12.2007
Store Manager
Mars Music
03.1999 - 03.2001
General Manager
Sam’s Club
12.1990 - 02.1999
B.A. - Business Administration
Missouri State University