Mark Mantel

Having purchased The Avila Grocery Store in 2017 we started this endeavor with a much neede remodel. These changes led to an immediate increase of sales as well as greater efficiency and flow within the 5000 sq ft space. We spent the next 2 years on customer needs altering products and services where we saw fit in an effort to increase local customer loyalty. It was at this time that we were offered the newly and iconic pismo location at the corner of Dolliver and with aspiration to duplicate the Avila Market in downtown Pismo Beach we quickly signed a lease. Within months COVID hit and beach tourism halted. Even worse we were unable to get permit assistance causing a 12 month delay in opening our new location. We did everything we could in these times to persevere and retain staff and sales.

Day to day operation included the delegation of management to supervisors and staff at multiple locations, the overseeing of all purchasing & service work, sales forecasting and reporting, marketing and advertisements, product & inventory management, as well as ensuring customer satisfaction and employee satisfaction is met.

Over the last 6 month's we were met with the longest, wettest off season on record and due to the inability to obtain needed occupancy from the city of Pismo and the constant challenges and ever changing variables of Avila Beach I have made the decision to seek new opportunity, using my vast experience and positive outlook on life to serve and grow with a company bigger than myself.

Having created, built and managed several unique businesses these last few years I have learned what it takes to lead a team and company with enthusiasm, gratitude and strong delegation to ensure efficiency and consistency across all areas of operation.

In the last few years I have:

• Developed and launched multiple businesses created in the efforts of giving back
• Specialized in developing and managing Delis, Acai Bowl Shops, Coffee Shops, Full Service Kitchens, Retail Spaces as well as several Market concepts that contained multiple operations under one roof.
• Trained and motivated over 75 employees to perform daily business functions while ensuring strong customer service
• Managed the delegation of all day-to-day business operations.
• Oversaw supplier relationships to maintain cost controls and improve product lines.
• Conducted target market research to discover customer needs and analyze competitor trends.
• Established foundational processes that could be replicated to all current operations.
• Used knowledge of market trends to create value-added solutions resulting in significant increase in revenues.
• Analyzed areas of improvement by generating quarterly operational and sales reports.
• Oversaw planning and administration, accounting functions, purchasing, and bi-weekly payroll to handle financial needs.
• Worked with marketing teams to create print and online advertisements to bring in and retain customers.
• Focused heavily on efficiency within staff and operation to increase bottomline potential

• The VIP Card was a nationwide discount card that was designed as an effective fund raising tool for schools, non profit organizations, sports leagues, churches, etc..
• Our goal was to build relationships with local business and organizations in an effort to help boost the economy as well as generate funds for respectable non-profits.
• We obtained and provided savings opportunities to our members at over 120,000 local and nationwide companies including theme parks, movie theaters, restaurants, gyms and mom and pop retailers.
• We grew and managed hundreds of sales team across 42 states focusing on local community participation and support.
• The company in its final days were acquired by a larger purchasing group

As a managing partner my role was vast as we were a fast growing company and we were required to wear many hat's.

My day to day role consisted of maintaining needs and relationships of our nationwide sales team, our 1,000s of participating merchants as well as managing specific sales territories within California. In addition I oversaw all product development and design in an effort to increase sales while working with our distribution team to ensure order fulfillments and costs were met. I worked daily with our marketing and web development team to launch (at the time) a state of the art mobile app as we continued expanding our website to provide geo tracking ability on deals available to its members, advertising opportunities for our merchants as well as secure membership portals and better backend merchant support.

This was a fast paced and exciting company and I enjoyed having such a diverse role.

• A Beautiful Boat/Motorcycle Retail Store that ended being swallowed by the down turning economy
• With industry leading inventory from manufacturers like Mastercrafts, Skeeter & Glastron we provided 5 star sales and service throughout the Central Coast, Fresno & Kern County

As the General Manager of Royer Cycle and Marines in Atascadero I was hired upon conception to assist in the build and design of its store as well as oversee its day to day operations managing the sales division, its service department and its pro shop. I oversaw and created all online and marketing materials, as well as managed inventory for both parts department and its prop shop. I worked with all staff to ensure the highest customer satisfaction was met while focusing on the education of our product lines and the safety that goes with its operation.

I also managed product orders and oversaw sales and shop design at all 3 locations in an effort to maintain stores cohesiveness, its buying power and to better manage its inventory.

The Royers were a wonderful family to work for and had the economy not did what it did in 2008 we would probably still be operating today.

After a small time in the car sales industry I met Chris and Tina Gustafson. Their family had owned and operated VS Marine in Atascadero for over 40+ years.

I was hired to manage their Proshop & Accessories Department but as the years progressed found myself doing not only that but also boat sales, finance, tv promotions and events. In addition I helped them build an online sales & marketing presence, increase sales in all division while developing and managing a team of sales associates.

Day to day duties included:

• Inventory management
• Team building and training
• Sales Promotions
• Marketing Management
• Customer Retention.

It was a great opportunity to work for a great family.