Laura Brecht
Rio Rancho,NM
Summary
Outside sales specialist with strength in negotiations, e-commerce and customer service. Excellent interpersonal and time management skills.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Customer Service Sales Representative
Club Demonstration Services at Costco
Albuquerque, NM
01.2024 - Current
- Boosted sales revenue by identifying customer needs and recommending appropriate products or services.
- Built rapport with customers through empathetic listening and understanding their unique needs or preferences.
- Increased customer satisfaction by addressing and resolving complex issues effectively.
- Managed high call volume, ensuring timely response and effective resolution to all customer concerns.
Range Restaurant
Range Restaurant
Bernalillo, NM
04.2023 - 12.2023
- Maintained an organized waitlist for busy times, ensuring efficient seating of guests.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by greeting and seating guests promptly upon arrival.
- Took reservations and to-go orders by phone, answered customer questions, and informed of accurate wait times.
- Provided exceptional service through friendly interactions with customers, answering questions and addressing concerns.
- Contributed to a positive team atmosphere by supporting coworkers during peak hours or when understaffed.
- Collaborated with servers to ensure smooth transitions between tables, minimizing wait times for guests.
- Supported servers, food runners, and bussers with keeping dining area ready for every guest.
- Prepared dining room for service by cleaning , organizing tables and placing table settings.
- Coordinated large party bookings both on the phone and in-person, creating organized seating plans tailored to guest needs.
- Collected information from arriving customers to seat groups
High School English Teacher
Long Beach Unified School District
Long Beach, CA
07.2002 - 06.2014
- Evaluated student work fairly and consistently, offering detailed feedback to guide future improvement efforts.
- Stayed current on educational research and best practices by attending professional development workshops and conferences regularly.
- Promoted critical thinking skills by challenging students to analyze literary texts and express their interpretations in written assignments.
- Managed classroom behavior effectively, implementing consistent expectations and consequences for all students.
- Prepared students for standardized tests by reviewing essential skills, administering practice exams, and providing constructive feedback on performance.
- Served as a positive role model for students, demonstrating respect, empathy, and professionalism in all interactions.
- Fostered a love of literature among students by introducing engaging texts from diverse genres, authors, time periods, and cultures.
Restauran/Restaurant Bar Owner
Ellen Rose Holdings LLC DBA Quinn/s Irish Pub
Long Beach, CA
11.1993 - 01.2014
- Managed financial aspects of the business, including budgeting, profit/loss analysis, and cash flow management.
- Implemented creative promotions such as themed nights or happy hour specials to attract new customers while retaining existing ones.
- Maintained a high standard of food quality by sourcing fresh, local ingredients and working closely with the kitchen team.
- Collaborated with local businesses for cross-promotions, enhancing visibility in the community and driving foot traffic to the establishment.
- Increased customer satisfaction by implementing innovative menu items and enhancing overall dining experience.
- Boosted restaurant revenue with effective marketing strategies, including social media promotion and local advertising.
- Expanded bar offerings to include craft beers and specialty cocktails tailored to customer preferences.
- Ensured compliance with all health and safety regulations through regular staff training sessions and rigorous inspections.
- Developed a loyal customer base through consistent delivery of high-quality food, beverages, and service.
- Fostered positive relationships with vendors to secure competitive pricing on food, beverage, and supplies.
- Enhanced employee performance through regular feedback sessions, performance evaluations, and recognition of accomplishments.
- Established efficient workflow processes between kitchen staff members which reduced wait times during peak hours.
- Set employee schedules, delegated work, and monitored food quality and service performance.
- Managed payroll, daily deposits, and cost controls.
- Maintained positive relationships with local community and government officials.
- Recruited, hired, and trained talented staff to fill vacancies.
- Managed staff schedules and maintained adequate coverage for all shifts.
- Motivated staff to perform at peak efficiency and quality.
Education
Master of Arts - SDAIE / Sheltered Instruction
California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA06.2003
Master of Arts - UCLA Graduate School of Education /Writing Project
University of California - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA06.2001
Master of Arts - American Studies
Fairfield University
Fairfield, CT05.1974
Bachelor of Arts - Secondary Education /English
Northern Vermont University
Lyndonville, VT05.1972
Skills
- Incoming Call Management
Timeline
Customer Service Sales Representative
Club Demonstration Services at Costco
01.2024 - Current
Range Restaurant
Range Restaurant
04.2023 - 12.2023
High School English Teacher
Long Beach Unified School District
07.2002 - 06.2014
Restauran/Restaurant Bar Owner
Ellen Rose Holdings LLC DBA Quinn/s Irish Pub
11.1993 - 01.2014
Master of Arts - SDAIE / Sheltered Instruction
California State University - Long Beach
Master of Arts - UCLA Graduate School of Education /Writing Project
University of California - Los Angeles
Master of Arts - American Studies
Fairfield University
Bachelor of Arts - Secondary Education /English
Northern Vermont University