Lauren Kassab
Denver,CO
Summary
Enthusiastic Designer and Account Executive with diverse experience across project lifecycle, including concept development, customer relationship retention and project leadership. Strong conceptual thinker, aligns teams to achieve strategic business objectives. Goal-oriented with experience in fast-paced and competitive settings. Forward-thinking when reviewing project requirements to determine precise solutions. Composed professional when working under tight schedules and limited budgets to achieve innovative designs meeting and exceeding objectives.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Design Expert | Account Executive
Interior Define
Washington | Denver, DC | CO
08.2021 - Current
- Strengthened customer relationships with proactive and collaborative approach to managing needs.
- Built and strengthened relationships with new and existing accounts to drive revenue growth.
- Prospected new clientele through networking, cold calling, canvassing and referrals.
- Recorded and maintained sales prospect and sales data within customer relationship management system.
- Created and executed strategic plans for business opportunities through resource management and internal collaboration.
- Designed floor plans, elevations, and 3D perspective views and material boards for both in-house review and presentation to client.
- Created professional presentations to creatively communicate design intent and direction.
- Assisted clients successfully by choosing furnishings consistent with preferences and budget.
- Taught and trained new sales personnel on customer service and sales techniques.
- Maintained accurate records of sales activities including daily sales reports.
- Motivated sales team to reach departmental and individual sales goals and deadlines on continuous basis.
- Researched concepts and followed industry trends to provide knowledgeable insight to clients.
- Provided information about available color palettes and helped select colors that reflected client personality and goals.
Fine Artist | Designer
Self-Employed
Denver, CO
01.2015 - Current
- Met with commission clients to gain agreement on artistic project goals, parameters and financial considerations.
- Handled all client communications to build professional and long-lasting business relationships and bring in continuous work.
- Determined accurate price quotes to bring in steady business and maximize revenues.
- Ordered and maintained adequate supply of materials, supplies and equipment.
- Developed targeted marketing and sales strategies to promote successful organizational and artistic outcomes.
- Drew concepts and illustrations for presentation and development purposes.
- Applied learned color theory and lighting techniques into designs to add dimension and depth.
- Maintained portfolios of artistic work to demonstrate styles, interests and abilities.
- Interfaced with clients and customers to determine special art project needs, prepared design proposals and defined project scope.
Team Lead, Visual | Interior Design Specialist
West Elm
Charlotte, North Carolina
04.2020 - 08.2021
- Maintained and stocked the sales floor, including sales counters and all store displays and uprights/shelves
- Assisted the Store Manager, Visual/Store Manager, Operations to complete essential inventory control functions in an effort to support financial and inventory accuracy
- Mentored and guided employees to foster proper completion of assigned duties.
- Delegated assignments based on team strengths to optimize floor coverage and service levels.
- Selected furniture, light fixtures and accessories to create unique and inviting rooms to meet customer vision.
- Collaborated closely with customers, adjusting plans to satisfy client needs and requirements.
- Visited home sites when necessary to assess and fulfill customer needs.
- Created custom design boards with attention to detail for visual representation, including samples of fabrics, wall finishes and flooring.
Seasonal Merchandising Associate
Crate and Barrel
Charlotte, North Carolina
09.2020 - 11.2020
- Worked closely with individual customers to identify unique needs and supply appropriate products.
- Monitored inventory changes and ordered replenishments for stock to support customer demand.
- Trained and managed merchandising associates to uphold company standards in customer service and product information.
- Provided positive shopping experience, employing conflict resolution skills when problems arose.
- Oversaw receiving and display of incoming products, meeting planned promotions and seasonal rotation for sales events.
- Ran markdown reports, managed store replenishment and analyzed buying reports.
- Prepared interesting and innovative visual displays to grab customer interest and promote sales.
- Developed partnerships with internal groups such as packaging, visual and e-commerce.
Barista | Server
Luna's Living Kitchen
Charlotte, North Carolina
05.2018 - 08.2019
- Upsold high-profit items such as appetizers and mixed drinks to enhance sales numbers.
- Worked with POS system to place orders, manage bills and handle complimentary items.
- Trained incoming staff on restaurant's practices, culture and procedures to maximize job satisfaction and productivity
- Displayed enthusiasm and promoted excellent service to customers, successfully increasing referrals and walk-in business/customer retention.
Muralist
The Broken Spoke
Charlotte, North Carolina
08.2016 - 09.2016
- Set up scaffolding, prepped under-base walls and participated in loading and unloading of materials
- Took ideas and developed high quality creations, which included characters, environments and other objects
- Applied color theory and lighting techniques in drawings and illustrations to add excitement, focus and depth
- Managed customer expectations with open consultations and frequent communication
- Managed day-to-day business operations and made strategic decisions
- Frequently ordered new supplies from vendors.
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts - Fine Arts
Falmouth University
Cornwall, England05.2019
High School Diploma -
Providence Senior High School
Charlotte, NC06.2016
Skills
- Account Management
- Customer Relationships
- Managing Client Relationships
- Visual Communication Expertise
- Sales Strategies Implementation
- Project Management
- Project Design
- Visual Merchandising
- Team Building
- Analytical and Critical Thinking
- Concept Design
- Scheduling and Coordinating
- Exceeding Sales Goals
- Technical Troubleshooting
- Business Growth Opportunities
- Stock Management
Accomplishments
- Exceeded monthly quota 8+ times in a 10 month period.
- Ranked #2 in the company for Interior Define by exceeding sales goal by 135%+ in August 2022. Ranked top 5 in the company from October 2023-March 2024.
- Managed 800+ opportunities/accounts per month.
- Led team to achieve 115% of team sales goal, earning recognition from upper management and financial reward.
- Client retention/return rate for Interior Define at 48%, 23% above the company's average.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Design Expert | Account Executive
Interior Define
08.2021 - Current
Seasonal Merchandising Associate
Crate and Barrel
09.2020 - 11.2020
Team Lead, Visual | Interior Design Specialist
West Elm
04.2020 - 08.2021
Barista | Server
Luna's Living Kitchen
05.2018 - 08.2019
Muralist
The Broken Spoke
08.2016 - 09.2016
Fine Artist | Designer
Self-Employed
01.2015 - Current
Bachelor of Fine Arts - Fine Arts
Falmouth University
High School Diploma -
Providence Senior High School
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