SAMANTHA SIEGEL
Chicago,IL
Summary
Operations and development leader with a track record of growing revenue, expanding client relationships, and improving service delivery. Combines experience in general management, event coordination, marketing, and cross-functional leadership to drive business performance, strengthen team culture, and support organized, high-quality customer experiences.
Overview
1
1
Certification
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manager
PopUp Bagels
Chicago, IL
02.2025 - Current
- Supported daily operations across popup bagel shop floor, kitchen, and service areas.
- Drove over $3 million in revenue within 5 months.
- Coordinated crew shifts to maintain labor coverage during busy periods.
- Trained team members on guest service, food safety, and bagel preparation standards.
- Tracked inventory for dough, toppings, packaging, and store supplies.
- Handled guest concerns and resolved service issues with clear, professional communication.
- Maintained cleanliness, sanitation, and opening and closing procedures throughout café.
- Helped with hiring, coaching, and performance reviews for popup bagels store staff.
- Managed daily business operations, including budgeting, staffing, scheduling, inventory control, customer service, and sales.
- Resolved customer complaints quickly while maintaining high service standards.
- Built work schedules to manage labor resources effectively and reviewed payroll for budget compliance.
- Kept communication clear with staff to support efficient operations.
- Issued verbal and written warnings as part of employee discipline.
- Created positive work environment through team-building activities that supported collaboration across departments.
- Recorded monthly sales for planning and strategy reports.
- Built long-term customer relationships through account management.
- Guided management and supervisory staff to support smooth operations.
- Managed inventory levels and corrective action planning to reduce long-term costs.
- Prepared detailed reports for senior leadership on key operational performance metrics.
- Implemented employee recognition programs to support staff motivation and organizational goals.
- Delegated work, set priorities, and established goals for staff.
- Developed service and sales strategies to improve retention and revenue.
- Identified improvement areas in current business practices and partnered with other departments to develop action plans for implementation.
Hospital Manager
Vetique
Chicago, IL
02.2025 - Current
- As Hospital Manager at Vetique Chicago, I oversee operations, ensuring exceptional care, team culture, and business growth. My role unites leadership, operations, and client experience for a seamless environment for pets and owners.
- Oversee hospital workflows and collaborate with veterinarians to optimize patient care and medical services.
- Foster positive, collaborative work environment by mentoring and supporting team members, enhancing team cohesion and morale.
- Implement structured checklists and technology tools to maintain efficiency and enhance service quality.
- Create and implement monthly growth strategies while tracking KPIs.
- Boost Vetique's visibility through targeted social media and marketing initiatives, while organizing community outreach events to engage local pet owners.
- Cultivated strong relationships with pet owners to improve service quality. with pet parents, ensuring top-tier client service.
- Seek process improvements to enhance client experience, aligning services with organizational objectives and client needs.
Director of Development
Abigail Grace Productions
Chicago, IL
08.2024 - Current
- As Director of Development at Abigail Grace Productions, I lead growth, business development, client relations, and partnerships. I identify opportunities, manage projects, and ensure we deliver exceptional, tailored events for every client.
- Directed creative vision and managed event execution from concept to completion, delivering distinct guest experiences aligned with client goals.
- Expanded high-end client base by 25%, contributing to $2 million revenue growth in Chicago's luxury event market.
- Created and executed scalable operational workflows to streamline vendor coordination, budgeting, and team management, supporting growth while maintaining quality.
Founder
Sami's Woof Pack
Chicago, IL
07.2018 - Current
- Founded and operated boutique dog boarding startup, Sami's Woof Pack, since 2018. Established strong systems and compassionate leadership, providing reliable dog care from solo walks to structured overnight stays.
- Designed and executed branded community events, including Pup & Prosecco socials and adoption meetups, enhancing brand visibility and fostering word-of-mouth growth.
- Cultivated a loyal client base through grassroots marketing, personalized outreach, and engaging social content that showcased warmth and professionalism of Woof Pack experience.
- Developed scalable marketing systems and operational workflows, allowing the business to grow without sacrificing quality, consistency, or the high-touch care clients expect.
Front of House Manager
Corner Table Restaurants
Chicago, IL
09.2024 - 02.2025
- As Front of House Manager at The Smith, I lead our team in delivering exceptional guest experiences. Managed daily operations, service excellence, and staff training while fostering a positive atmosphere aligned with The Smith's core values.
- Led front-of-house team to deliver seamless, elevated dining experiences, enhancing guest satisfaction.
- Enhanced service standards by training staff and implementing best practices, prioritizing guest satisfaction.
- Trained and mentored staff to ensure efficient operations and growth.
- Collaborated with kitchen and bar teams to ensure a cohesive guest experience.
- Monitored inventory and coordinated scheduling to align resources with business demands.
Reservations Manager
Ballyhoo Hospitality
Chicago, IL
04.2024 - 09.2024
- Floor Manager at Chicago restaurant group, known for neighborhood concepts and award-winning spots like Gemini, Coda di Volpe, and Old Pueblo Cantina.
- Managed high-volume reservations and private dining inquiries, ensuring seamless guest experiences and optimizing table turnover through strategic floor planning that enhanced revenue.
- Trained and led the host team in hospitality best practices, phone etiquette, and reservation software (e.g., OpenTable), contributing to consistently high guest satisfaction and smooth front-of-house operations.
- Collaborated with marketing and events teams to coordinate promotions and seasonal dining experiences, generating traffic and fostering repeat business through exclusive chef's table events.
Chef Network Manager
HUNGRY
Chicago, IL
06.2023 - 02.2024
- HUNGRY is a tech-driven platform linking top chefs with businesses for curated catering. It enhances chef entrepreneurship and office catering using logistics, data analytics, and a proprietary system to ensure quality and customer satisfaction.
- Sourced and recruited top-tier local chefs for HUNGRY platform, exceeding outreach and conversion KPIs across multiple markets.
- Conducted discovery calls and onboarding sessions with prospective chefs, assessing culinary quality and fit to align with HUNGRY's brand value.
- Collaborated with sales, marketing, and culinary teams to enhance chef retention and onboarding, supporting scalable growth in new and existing markets.
- Leveraged data tools and CRM platforms to track pipeline health, optimize outreach strategies, and maintain a strong chef acquisition funnel.
Account Lead
Kinship
01.2022 - 12.2023
- Acted as the daily client advocate and primary contact, overseeing project execution and client requests.
- Developed creative marketing plans for partners and assisted with strategic decision-making.
- Managed multichannel marketing efforts, tailoring content to engage key stakeholders effectively.
- Increased partner awareness by 20% through collaboration across 5 departments on key campaigns and initiatives.
- Led weekly marketing meetings and maintained communication with partners and internal teams.
- Collaborated with clients and internal teams to develop comprehensive project briefs.
- Cultivated a diverse client portfolio featuring brands like Hannah's Bretzel and Lume Wellness.
- Shared key industry and competitor trends to guide strategic direction and decision-making.
Account Manager
CloudKitchens
Chicago
01.2021 - 01.2022
- CloudKitchens, a tech-driven real estate and logistics firm, transforms food delivery through ghost kitchens. Our platform aids entrepreneurs in launching efficient delivery-only concepts by integrating real estate, kitchen setup, and business intelligence for virtual restaurant success.
- Managed the full sales cycle—from prospecting and qualifying leads to closing deals and onboarding clients —within a high-velocity, metrics-driven environment focused on expanding CloudKitchens' market share.
- Consistently exceeded performance benchmarks including weekly call volume, pipeline progression, and close rate metrics; recognized for top-tier conversion performance across regional sales team.
- Recruited and onboarded food entrepreneurs and established operators, customizing solutions to align with their growth goals while achieving weekly KPIs for outreach, demos, and conversions.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams (real estate, construction, ops, account management) to launch and retain kitchen partners, enhancing customer lifetime value and operational excellence.
Education
Business
DePaul University
Chicago, IL12-2016
Marketing and Communications
Miami University
Oxford, OH12-2015
Skills
- Operations management
- Operational oversight
- Service Excellence
- Customer relations
- Client Acquisition
- Sales Strategy
- Strategy
- Stakeholder Management
- HR Policies
- HR management
- HR Policies
- Employee Relations
- Supervisory Skills
- Talent development
- Internal Communications
- Strategic messaging
- Vendor management
- Vendor management
Accomplishments
- Safety Awareness Enhancement: Elevated safety awareness leading to a 30% reduced injury rate among team members and clients.
- Childcare Experience Workshops: Implemented childcare experience workshops, improving staff proficiency and client satisfaction by 25%.
- Pet Safety Community Events: Organized community events promoting pet safety, increasing local engagement by over 40%.
AWARDS
2018 Sales Associate of the Year
Certification
- City of Chicago Food Handler Certification
Timeline
General Manager
PopUp Bagels
02.2025 - Current
Hospital Manager
Vetique
02.2025 - Current
Front of House Manager
Corner Table Restaurants
09.2024 - 02.2025
Director of Development
Abigail Grace Productions
08.2024 - Current
Reservations Manager
Ballyhoo Hospitality
04.2024 - 09.2024
Chef Network Manager
HUNGRY
06.2023 - 02.2024
Account Lead
Kinship
01.2022 - 12.2023
Account Manager
CloudKitchens
01.2021 - 01.2022
Founder
Sami's Woof Pack
07.2018 - Current
Business
DePaul University
Marketing and Communications
Miami University