Tara Hulsey
Torrance,CA
Summary
Customer service driven, dynamic barista, trainer and cashier with 10+ years of experience. Proven success in enhancing customer satisfaction, operational efficiency and upholding the third place environment. Strong communication and problem-solving skills to drive effective team collaboration and training. Adaptability during high volume periods to ensure customer satisfaction and efficiency. Expertise in coffee preparation, machine maintenance and crafting and serving quality beverages while following food safety guidelines efficiently.
Overview
1
1
Certification
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Barista/Cashier/Trainer
Starbucks
09.2013 - Current
- Assisting regular customers and new customers with support, knowledge, satisfaction and providing a third place atmosphere.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by resolving issues promptly and efficiently during busy shifts.
- Managed inventory levels, reducing waste through effective stock rotation practices.
- Trained and mentored new barista in beverage preparation and customer service excellence.
- Implemented process improvements that increased operational efficiency within the store environment.
- Adapted quickly to high-volume periods by efficiently managing tasks and delegating responsibilities among team members.
- Maintaining a clean workspace throughout the day, and prepping staff with product throughout the day.
- Consistent attendance and punctuality.
- Food handlers regulations upheld to the highest standard.
Torrance Bakery
Cashier/ Sales/ Orders
02.2011 - 03.2012
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Learned to have excellent communication skills.
- Worked flexible hours
- Organized and took detail oriented orders
- Developed and maintained courteous effective work and customer relationships.
- Demonstrated strong organizational skills and time management.
- Stocked and maintained bakery and café throughout shift.
- Worked between two different locations simultaneously
- Upheld food handlers requirements and beyond.
Head Hostess
The Bottle Inn Ristorante
05.2008 - 06.2009
- Developed and implemented efficient table management strategies to optimize seating capacity.
- Trained and mentored junior host staff on customer service best practices and reservation management.
- Analyzed reservation patterns to forecast busy periods, ensuring availability.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of the host area, contributing to a welcoming environment.
- Collaborated with management on special events planning to elevate customer engagement initiatives for wine tasting and specialty dinners.
- Took reservations by phone and walk-in, keeping scheduling demands, and kitchen output in time to avoid overbooking.
- Documented reservations, alerted servers, and managers of large groups and prepared seating.
- Took reservations and to-go orders by phone, answered customer questions, and informed of accurate wait times.
- Utilized knowledge of menu items to provide personalized recommendations based on guest preferences or dietary restrictions.
- Ensured that all opening/closing duties were completed accurately and thoroughly each shift for optimal daily operations.
Education
Coffe Master - Coffee Master
Arizona State University
Arizona05-2026
No Degree - English/Psychology
El Camino College
Torrance, CA01-2010
High School Diploma -
Torrance High School
Torrance, CA06-2009
Skills
- Customer support
- Time optimization
- Detail orientation
- Collaborative teamwork
- Cash management
- Adaptability
- Order processing
- Problem resolution
- Beverage crafting
- Food safety compliance
- Adaptive and creative
- Quality assurance
- Shift transitions
- Sanitation standards
Certification
- Coffee Master
- Food Handlers license
Coffee Master
The Starbucks Coffee Academy is a structured learning module based platform that teaches about the coffee industry , from bean origins to the roasting, blending, brewing and craft. From farm, growing, cultivating to harvesting the bean, milling and exporting, roasting and blending and then to Starbucks Coffee company. We learned about the value, craft, technique and expertise.
Timeline
Barista/Cashier/Trainer
Starbucks
09.2013 - Current
Torrance Bakery
Cashier/ Sales/ Orders
02.2011 - 03.2012
Head Hostess
The Bottle Inn Ristorante
05.2008 - 06.2009
Coffe Master - Coffee Master
Arizona State University
No Degree - English/Psychology
El Camino College
High School Diploma -
Torrance High School