Melissa Castronova
Summary
Dynamic professional with a strong service mindset and a proven track record. Skilled in building customer trust and loyalty, I excel in creative problem-solving and effective communication. Achieved high customer satisfaction through personalized consultations, ensuring repeat business and referrals. Detail-oriented with a focus on results-driven outcomes.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Self Employed Mom
Castronova Enterprises
09.2005 - Current
- Implemented creative ways to foster curiosity for complex principles through hands-on learning and planned activities.
- Instructed in core educational principles, concepts and in-depth subject matter about life and success in life.
- Encouraged creative thinking and motivated by addressing individual strengths and weaknesses.
- Engage with each child on individual basis to build positive relationships and promote learning.
- Taught life skills and home economics including cooking, sewing, gardening, pet care and home maintenance.
- Enforced rules and managed behavior through developmentally appropriate discipline or incentivizing positive behavior.
- Prepared healthy and gourmet foods and beverages for optimal nutrition.
- While homeschooling, developed lessons and activities to promote physical and emotional development
- Set and enforced rules to maintain safety and created welcoming, caring, and loving environment.
Sales Associate
Mercedes Benz of New Orleans
01.2022 - 10.2022
- Salesman of the Month May 2022!
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of inventory, features, and specifications to better serve customers.
- Delivered exceptional customer service, addressing concerns and resolving issues promptly.
- Developed strong relationships with customers for repeat business and referrals.
- Closed sales by overcoming objections, asking for sales, negotiating price, and completing purchase contracts,
- Built rapport with potential buyers through active listening skills, resulting in increased trust and successful sales closures.
- Worked closely with service department to ensure client satisfaction after purchase and during maintenance visits.
- Achieved high levels of customer satisfaction through consistent follow-ups post-sale to address any questions or concerns.
- Boosted customer satisfaction by providing personalized consultations and vehicle recommendations.
Partner and Commercial Insurance Broker
EDemnify, LLC
07.2006 - 08.2019
- Provided coverage option information to assist clients in protecting assets.
- Attended continuing education courses and workshops to gain additional insurance industry knowledge.
- Promoted products and services using upselling and other sales strategies.
- Recommended type and amount of coverage based on analysis of customers' circumstances using persuasive sales techniques.
- Obtained underwriting approval by completing application for coverage.
- Reported policy changes and company conditions affecting customer satisfaction.
- Developed sales leads from direct referrals, networking and targeted marketing campaigns.
Client Retention and Loss Prevention
EZbind Insurance
01.2016 - 08.2018
- Implemented billing, collections and related interfaces to streamline customer retention processes.
- Quickly and accurately answered customer questions, suggested effective solutions and resolved issues to increase customer satisfaction and ensure billing issues were resolved.
- Trained staff on operating procedures and company services.
- Applied highly effective selling skills while properly engaging and presenting solutions to customers.
Interior Design Assistant/Home Staging Assistant
Markakis Realty
04.2016 - 07.2018
- Staged occupied and unoccupied homes for sale to achieve maximum sales price and marketability.
- Consulted with home sellers to determine architectural preference to meet overall design goals for maximum profit.
- Designed and created comfortable and functional environments to represent potential new buyers clients' lifestyle.
- Interfaced effectively with agents, contractors, and vendors to resolve issues that could prevent a sale.
- Photographed progress and finished projects.
- Assisted clients with budget considerations and made recommendations for furniture, wall hangings and all accent pieces.
- All homes staged and designed by me were ultimately sold in less than 90 days.
Event Coordinator
Temecula Mommies Meetup
02.2011 - 08.2014
- Managed a homeschool meetup for over 165 local families for multiple events, which were created and designed to entertain, nurture relationships, and provide many learning opportunities for children.
- Performed multiple event coordination for students and parents each week.
- Managed event logistics and operations, including support staff, vendor services and volunteers.
- Fulfilled contractual obligations, including communications, vendor coordination, schedule creation, budget administration.
- Fostered relationships with local and national event suppliers to obtain best price, quality, and delivery of products.
- Selected and ordered décor and event materials, as well as catering coordination or meal preparation.
Student Loan Sales Specialist
College Loan Corporation
01.2002 - 09.2005
- Counseled students and parents about financial aid options and program details.
- Helped individuals complete physical and electronic paperwork such as FAFSA.
- Reviewed initial financial aid applications for accuracy and compliance with reporting standards.
- Designed financial aid reward packages, aligning contents with individuals' monetary and logistical needs.
- Communicated with prospective students to illustrate available financial aid opportunities.
- Performed needs analysis of applications, accounting for financial and available programs.
- Handled customer complaints with relative ease by conducting research, listening carefully and taking appropriate action.
- Supervised loan personnel and motivated to maintain customer service and performance standards.
Recruiter and College Admissions
Computer Education Institute
03.1999 - 02.2002
- Followed up with notable applicants sourced via industry-specific pipelines, events and job fairs.
- Generated specific candidate pool for career opportunities through strategic placement of advertisements, evaluation of applicant credentials, and conducting initial interviews and pre-screening assessments.
- Evaluated strengths and weaknesses of candidates through effective screening processes.
SERE Specialist
United States Air Force, USAF
02.1995 - 02.1999
- Aircrew Life Support Specialist
- Intelligence operations specialist training
- Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape (SERE) training
- Aircrew water survival training
- Aircrew Arctic survival training
- Emergency medical training
- Improved operations through consistent hard work and dedication
- Maintained energy and enthusiasm in fast-paced environment
- Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems
- Honorably discharged February 1999
Education
J.D. - American Legal Studies
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VAParalegal Studies
California State University - San Marcos
San Marcos, CA04.2017
Bachelor of Science - Business Marketing
University of Phoenix
San Diego, CA05.2002
Skills
- Courteous with Strong Service Mindset
- Developing strong customer relationships
- Multitasking and Prioritization
- Independent Thinker
- Empathetic and Considerate
- Efficient and Detail-Oriented
- Creative Problem Solving
- Exemplary Verbal and Written Communication
- Excellent Attention to Detail
- Strong Analytical and Problem Solving Skills
Timeline
Sales Associate
Mercedes Benz of New Orleans
01.2022 - 10.2022
Interior Design Assistant/Home Staging Assistant
Markakis Realty
04.2016 - 07.2018
Client Retention and Loss Prevention
EZbind Insurance
01.2016 - 08.2018
Event Coordinator
Temecula Mommies Meetup
02.2011 - 08.2014
Partner and Commercial Insurance Broker
EDemnify, LLC
07.2006 - 08.2019
Self Employed Mom
Castronova Enterprises
09.2005 - Current
Student Loan Sales Specialist
College Loan Corporation
01.2002 - 09.2005
Recruiter and College Admissions
Computer Education Institute
03.1999 - 02.2002
SERE Specialist
United States Air Force, USAF
02.1995 - 02.1999
J.D. - American Legal Studies
Liberty University
Paralegal Studies
California State University - San Marcos
Bachelor of Science - Business Marketing
University of Phoenix
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