Samantha Haas
South Haven,MI
Summary
Professional storyteller, freelance writer, and journalist with more than 10 years of experience in covering stories, including local politics, events, and feature spotlights. Freelance experience includes covering topics related to cannabis culture and lifestyle. Outside of my written work, I am also a former business owner with experience in sales and working with others in a team-based atmosphere.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Budtender
The Green Door
07.2024 - Current
- Checked guests' photo identification for validity and age requirements.
- Utilized strong interpersonal skills to build rapport with customers, establishing trust and credibility as a knowledgeable resource on cannabis products.
- Sold flowers, concentrates and edibles in fast-paced environment.
- Promoted a welcoming atmosphere by greeting each customer warmly upon arrival, fostering an inclusive environment that encouraged return visits.
- Increased repeat business through exceptional customer service and extensive knowledge of cannabis products.
- Weighed, prepared and packaged different types of products.
- Answered questions about medicinal and recreational uses and effects and qualities of different strains.
- Employed effective cash handling procedures for accurately accounting daily sales transactions while minimizing discrepancies or losses.
- Assisted in maintaining a clean, organized, and visually appealing store environment to ensure a positive shopping experience for customers.
- Enhanced customer experience by providing personalized product recommendations based on individual needs and preferences.
- Educated customers about responsible consumption practices, promoting safe and enjoyable cannabis use experiences.
Newspaper Correspondent
Tri-City Record
10.2023 - 04.2025
- Beats include Coloma-city politics and features
- Collaborated with the Newspaper Editor to develop weekly story ideas
- Met deadlines to provide relevant information quickly to staff and general public.
- Fact-checked all work that was done
- Arranged interviews with subjects relevant to the story as needed
- Submitted photos relevant to stories by request of the editor
- Traveled to various locations to report stories and obtain information relevant to those stories
- Managed numerous simultaneous assignments while maintaining a high level of organization and attention to detail.
Small Business Owner
Tranquil Tummy Confections
02.2020 - 08.2024
- Created baked goods from original recipes that catered to individuals with specific dietary needs, including gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan diets.
- Maintained a clean kitchen that met ServSafe standards
- Promoted business via social media to generate leads and maximize brand identity.
- Created Advertisements for products and services online, on social media, and through traditional campaigns to target ideal consumers.
- Took orders and delivered products to customers
- Traveled to farmers' markets and craft shows to participate as a vendor, where I sold my products
- Interacted with customers in person to make sales
- Created and maintained company budgets and set pricing
- used electronic payment systems such as Square, Venmo, and PayPal to process payments
- Handled money during craft shows and other events
- Created invoices for customers and non-profit donations
Department Manager- Marketing and Communications
The Green Door
12.2017 - 04.2022
- Led bi-weekly marketing meetings
- Acted as head of the Marketing Department during Green Door corporate meetings
- Managed key organizational marketing and communications initiatives for The Green Door
- Created advertising content and materials for print and online outlets
- Oversaw all social media platforms
- Organized and scheduled mass texts to customers through Blackbird texting program
- Researched costs and ordered merchandise for all Green Door locations
- Collaborated with advertising representatives in creating, writing, and designing advertisements on representatives’ platforms
- Wrote radio scripts and acted as the voice-over for The Green Door’s radio commercials
- Organized advertising budget for all Green Door locations
- Self-conducted various research projects that benefit The Green Door as a company
- Acted as a liaison and spokesperson between the media and The Green Door as a company
- Wrote press releases to media outlets as needed
- Assisted in interviewing and hiring employees
Freelance Writer
02.2018 - 11.2021
- Potguide.com
- Pet Lifestyles Magazine- New York Lifestyles Magazine affiliate
- Scandalous! Magazine
- Blog- Clearing the Smoke: True Stories and Testimonials from Medical Cannabis Patients
Newspaper Reporter
La Porte County Herald-Dispatch
06.2016 - 11.2017
- Reported local news stories for a daily newspaper in Michigan City and La Porte, Indiana
- My beats included local politics, community events, and education
- Collected information on assigned topics to report accurately while meeting tight deadlines
- Interviewed sources who were relevant to each story, in-person or over the phone
- Asked difficult and insightful questions to the source of the story
- Collaborated with the News Editor and other reporters to develop daily story ideas
- Followed-up on leads
- Maintained various relationships with outside news sources and community officials
- Conducted research on topics related to each story to be as informed as possible
- Fact-checked all work that was done
- Captured photos that were relevant to each story
- Created press releases as needed
Women and Gender Studies Program Organizational Development Intern
Ball State University
08.2015 - 12.2015
- Helped brainstorm, plan, and promote events throughout Ball State University’s campus that promoted the Women and Gender Studies (WGS) Program in a positive light
- Researched and collected information and requirements of WGS programs or departments at all colleges and universities throughout the United States to make the Ball State WGS program more beneficial to students regarding the types of classes offered and education strategies
- Helped lead presentations that educated people about the WGS program and topics related to classes taught within the program
Social Media Intern
Hope for Women Magazine
06.2014 - 12.2015
- Constructed a national search of motivational speakers for the 10th-anniversary women’s conference in Muncie, Indiana
- Contributed design ideas to the marketing team
- Managed multiple social media platforms through the social media management website, Hootsuite
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Magazine Journalism
Ball State University
Muncie, IN12.2015
Minor - Advertising
Ball State University
Muncie, IN12-2015
Minor - Women's Studies
Ball State University
Muncie, IN12.2015
Skills
- Knowledgeable in AP style
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Capable of performing thorough research
- Blogging
- Scriptwriting (radio & sketch comedy)
- Online Graphic Creation Platforms
- Newspaper reporting
- Public Relations
- Social Media Management & Marketing
- Experience in recording voice-over work
- Freelance Writing
- Online Publication Reporting
- Google Suite
- SEO
- POS experience
- Money Handling
- Product memorization
- Efficient in engaging with others to make sales
Internships Recognitions Certifications
- Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber of Commerce Rising Star in Business Nominee, For Tranquil Tummy Confections: February 2024
- ServSafe Certification- Food Production Management, Certified through the state of Michigan: Valid through November 2023 - November 2028
- Cottage Food Law Certification- Food-Based Small Business, Michigan State University: Valid through September 2023 - September 2026
- Women and Gender Studies Program Organizational Development Intern, Ball State University: August 2015 - December 2015: Helped brainstorm, plan, and promote events throughout Ball State University’s campus that promoted the Women and Gender Studies (WGS) Program in a positive light. Researched and collected information and requirements of WGS programs or departments at all colleges and universities throughout the United States to make the Ball State WGS program more beneficial to students regarding the types of classes offered and education strategies. Helped lead presentations that educated people about the WGS program and topics related to classes taught within the program.
- Hope for Women Magazine, Social Media Intern: June 2014 - December 2015: Constructed a national search of motivational speakers for the 10th-anniversary women’s conference in Muncie, Indiana. Contributed design ideas to the marketing team, Managed multiple social media platforms through the social media management website, Hootsuite
REFERENCES
Brock Havens
On-Air Personality- Rock 107 WIRX
Midwest Family Broadcasting
580 E Napier Ave, Benton Harbor, MI 49022
608-225-56816
Amy Loshbough
Managing Editor
Tri-City Record
138 N. Main St.
Watervliet, MI 49098
269-463-6397
Zak Kizer
English Language Arts Teacher
Hammond Academy of Science and Technology
33 Muenich Ct, Hammond, IN 46320
219-512-0308
Timeline
Budtender
The Green Door
07.2024 - Current
Newspaper Correspondent
Tri-City Record
10.2023 - 04.2025
Small Business Owner
Tranquil Tummy Confections
02.2020 - 08.2024
Freelance Writer
02.2018 - 11.2021
Department Manager- Marketing and Communications
The Green Door
12.2017 - 04.2022
Newspaper Reporter
La Porte County Herald-Dispatch
06.2016 - 11.2017
Women and Gender Studies Program Organizational Development Intern
Ball State University
08.2015 - 12.2015
Social Media Intern
Hope for Women Magazine
06.2014 - 12.2015
Bachelor of Arts - Magazine Journalism
Ball State University
Minor - Advertising
Ball State University
Minor - Women's Studies
Ball State University
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