Sara Sample

Responsible for for managing sales, ensuring profitability, operations, asset protection, and human resources functions of 17 stores, 4 brands. Model and promote The Most Amazing Personal Service, manage district team to maintain visually appealing stores, monitor team performance through KPI's, develop and implement sales strategies, training and coaching of store managers lead operationally sound stores through leadership accountability and recruit, hire, support training of all position levels.

Major Contributions:

• 2017-2019, DC Metro -WHBM multi-unit GSM-Improved performance of two under performing locations-Top Q4 performance in district and top ranking in company, lifts in all metrics, high rank % of increase to sales plan. Lead and developed multiple internal promotions - 1 under performing ASM to SM from one year of mentoring, 1 Sales Lead to ASM and 2 Sales Associates to Sales Lead.
• 2019-relocated/promoted to corporate market -Fort Myers, FL- WHBM multi-unit GSM for top volume locations-improved performance in all KPI's-achieved top ranking stores in district and company developed/trained internal promotions 1- ASM to SM and 1 Sales Lead to ASM.
• 2020-promoted to WHBM Market Leader- 8 locations in Southwest FL-Fort Myers, Naples, Sarasota,Tampa supported/developed store management teams'-increased performance and profitability in market-hosted training selling model boot camps-stretch District Trainer/Recruiter-sourced and trained 1 SM, 1 interim SM, 3 ASM's, internal promote to FT Sales Lead and 2 PT Sales Leads-oversaw district when DSM was unavailable.
• 2022-promoted to DSM for ChicosFas-Nashville, TN -18 locations, 5 brands-top 3 in region KPI performance- Top 3 district in company for customer satisfaction - 2022/2023. Recruited/developed internal and external talent for all leadership roles, increased overall productivity and KPI results through building efficient teams with clear strategy and communication of focuses to increase and narrow the variance gap of store by store performance.
• Nov. 2023- current-DSM of ChicosFas- Kentucky- 17 locations, 4 brands-relocated for family. Achieved top 3 in KPI lift performance in region-Q1-2024.

Oversee all aspects of the business. Focuses were running an operationally sound store while creating an environment that blends in consistent customer engagement. My main focus was to develop the management team as leaders, teach and hold them accountable to their DOR's and to inspire them to drive results.

Major Contributions:

• Lead successful hiring for this new store
• Recruited top leadership talent to support another DSW location
• Top performer in region for Shoephoria and E-Commerce drove these metrics by focusing on the customer experience.

Oversee all aspects of the business retail and salon through leadership DOR's with high level communication and accountability. Create a culture that supports the company vision and drives results through collaboration. Focus on career/leadership development, sales and product education and creating winning strategies to influence performance of store and brand.

• Changed culture and performance of declining store in retail and salon to achieve Club of Excellence after 1st year of employment
• Top Store Audit for district (Indiana Market)
• Increased store sales performance from LY by 25% and out paced budget by 10% (Indiana Market)
• Promoted leaders to the next level of leadership role
• Improved results in a challenged high shrink store from 3.25% shrink, down 20% to budget to coming in flat on the year and improving shrink performance by  1%. (VA Market) 

Assisted founders/owners open new optical shops in Indianapolis, IN and surrounding markets. Supported and developed all shop leaders to run an operationally sound and guest eccentric environment in the optical field.

• Assisted with creating/development of EyeQuity sales/service culture

• Assisted with the writing of companies policies and procedures.

• Recruited and hired all initial leaders and employees

• Lead training/onboarding of leadership and sales positions.

Lead the optical retail and lab team to drive results, service and optical quality. Created great partnerships with retail and doctors to increase overall guest experience by improving service and systems.

• First 4 months in role, increased sales to plan by 50%. Lifted all customer service indicators, and CEI performance. Created Division of Responsibility for region to increase accountability, skill development and overall store performance
• First non-licensed GM to become inspection certified.

• First month in role, store exceeded sales plan by +5%, the first time the store had achieved plan in a 10 month period. Continued to exceed sales plan while I was in role.  ​
• Sourced top talent for store and district

Lead the team through all aspects of the business, with the focus around talent to drive results for store and district. Managed a team up to 85 employees.

• Increased store's YTY performance by +4%. Increased store overall customer satisfaction ​by +5%
• Recruited Store Manager for district
• Oversaw district while DM was out of the business-responsible for district weekly focus, conference calls, and district performance.
•  Held district support role with SM's on Workforce Management to  increase skill and performance. 
• Developed 3 internal promotions to higher level leadership roles
•  2 month stretch assignment as acting regional recruiter in Chicago, IL for a new company initiative.