Melissa Shaffer
Westminster,Maryland
Summary
Creative artist, entrepreneur, local business supporter, volunteer, activist, and dedicated community member. Thoughtful communicator, professional, attentive to detail. Inspired by beauty, motivated by meaningfulness.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
Work History
Flower Farm and Floral Design Assistant
Tierra Blooms Flower Farm
07.2018 - Current
- Customer service for and Delivery of Tierra Bloom's Community Supported Agriculture shares (to business and individuals in Carroll and Frederick counties)
- Frederick Common Market liaison (delivery of market bouquets for retail resale)
- Client Service and Delivery of bulk orders to Floral designers in Carroll, Frederick and Baltimore counties and DC (for Tierra Blooms, and also, seasonally for Two Boots Farm, Hillen Homestead, and Monocacy Valley Flower Co-op)
- Downtown Westminster Farmer's Market, Flower Bar, and Special Events Attendant (event set-up, point of sale, customer service)
- Other wedding and event set-up, Fieldwork (weeding, maintenance, planting, and harvesting; also for The Farm at Oxford and Bella Blooms ), and Design and creation of market bouquets
Volunteer
Several Nonprofits
09.2005 - Current
- Red Cross fieldwork in San Antonio for Hurricane Katrina Relief
- Brethren Disaster Ministries: donation sorting, packing kits for Children's Disaster Services
- Westminster Church of the Brethren: special projects for art facilitation for youth, Sunday school groups, and congregation; Community fundraiser events leadership ('08 Boys and Girls Club, '08 Dove House (hospice), '09 Pastoral search committee; Worship committee; Assisting with soup kitchen and shelter meal provisions; On-going community care ministry
- North Carroll Community School: Lego Club leader; Art class assistant (pottery, mosaic, murals, mixed media); Interest Learning Art leader (mindfulness art practices)
- Fundraising via sale of own artwork for Doctors Without Borders, World Central Kitchen, and more
Artist
Self (Olive Jar Arts)
01.2000 - Current
- Painting, Ceramics, Mosaics, Collage
Retail
Sidetracked Antiques & Fashion Boutique And SERRV
01.2009 - 12.2010
- Customer service and store operations, cash management
- Enhanced store appearance by maintaining cleanliness and visually appealing displays that showcased antiques, home decor, art, boutique fashions, jewelry, and fair trade items
- (Same for multiple clothing retailers in the mid-late '80s)
Home Staging
Self-employed
01.2008 - 12.2008
- Enhanced property appeal by strategically placing furniture and accessories in homes for sale, and collaborated with real estate agents to understand target demographics and successfully-tailored staging
Founder, Owner, and Shop Operator
The Pottery Loft
09.2002 - 05.2005
- Established a successful paint-your-own-pottery business, Developed strategic planning process to define business goals, Nurtured strong partnerships with neighboring businesses and started Ladies Night Out on Thursday evenings
- Maintained strong community connections via opportunities to serve on local chairs and by the store's strong donation history with regional non-profit events, Built a positive studio and retail culture that fostered creativity, and Sold successful business in Spring of '05 (remained as volunteer and mentor though Winter '06) (The Pottery Loft was renamed in the early-teens and the business was moved to Eldersburg in 2015)
Accountant and Administrative Assistant
California Casulty, Longhorn Dental, Capstone
05.1991 - 10.1997
- Record-keeping, day to day accounting processes including billing, insurance billing, book-keeping, banking, banking reconciliation, and quality assurance for new applications, for insurance company multi-dentist center, and property management company
- Customer and client service, Reception, Mailroom, and Maintain office supplies inventory
Foreign Exchange Tour Leader
INTRAX
07.1991 - 05.1996
- Co-lead tours (from 20-300 persons) for foreign exchange student travel groups (students and instructors from Japan, Brazil, Spain, and more) in San Diego, LA, Yosemite, San Francisco, Boston, and NYC
Hospitality
Vera Cruz Restaurants
07.1987 - 09.1993
- Server (also experience as kitchen staff, host, busser, and caterer for Vera Cruz and other restaurant ventures)
Education
Master of Arts Certificate - Theopoetics And Theological Imagination
Bethany Theological Seminary
Richmond, IN06.2019
Bachelor of Arts - History
Concordia University At Austin
Austin, TX12.2000
Skills
- Customer and Client Service
- Critical Thinking
- Accounting
- Sales and Marketing
- Design
- Event Planning
- Historical Analysis
- Writing
- Thoughtful Communication
- Business and Group Leadership
- Community Partnership
- Multiple Software platforms Proficiency
Timeline
Flower Farm and Floral Design Assistant
Tierra Blooms Flower Farm
07.2018 - Current
Retail
Sidetracked Antiques & Fashion Boutique And SERRV
01.2009 - 12.2010
Home Staging
Self-employed
01.2008 - 12.2008
Volunteer
Several Nonprofits
09.2005 - Current
Founder, Owner, and Shop Operator
The Pottery Loft
09.2002 - 05.2005
Artist
Self (Olive Jar Arts)
01.2000 - Current
Foreign Exchange Tour Leader
INTRAX
07.1991 - 05.1996
Accountant and Administrative Assistant
California Casulty, Longhorn Dental, Capstone
05.1991 - 10.1997
Hospitality
Vera Cruz Restaurants
07.1987 - 09.1993
Master of Arts Certificate - Theopoetics And Theological Imagination
Bethany Theological Seminary
Bachelor of Arts - History
Concordia University At Austin
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