Deborah Blankman Email and Phone Number

PAPER SOURCE, Summit, NJ Store ManagerLead and manage retail business featuring stationery, fine paper, gifts, and custom-printed invitation and holiday cards. • Responsible for overall sales, customer service, visual strategies, operations, inventory management, supervising and mentoring store team.• Inspiring and driving sales and profitability through key performance indicators and on site leadership. • ADT and conversion rate #2 in the company of 67 stores: 20% increase over l/y figures.• Summit store standard-bearer of excellence in visual merchandising.• Created private events and customer classes.

BROOKS BROTHERS, The Mall at Short Hills, Short Hills, NJ Ladies Specialist• Developed in-store promotions through special events as part of the core management team.• Worked with Brooks Brothers’ high-end clientele in total seasonal wardrobing.• Member of store team in managing the women’s and children’s area.

LINKS OF LONDON, The Mall at Short Hills, Short Hills, NJ General ManagerManaged key location of London-based organization featuring eclectic mix of men’s and women’s jewelry produced in sterling silver and 18 carat gold, including unique collections of cufflinks, charms and charm bracelets. • Directed day-to-day operations including all merchandising, in-store promotions, P&L, window display, and brand education for customers and sales team.• Increased company recognition in Short Hills through special events and advertising.• Recruited, hired, and developed store team.

RALPH LAUREN, The Mall at Short Hills, NJ Home Collection ManagerRan, developed and promoted the Ralph Lauren Home Collection including furniture, linens and decorative accessories.• Responsible for interior design service, visual merchandising and presentation, P&L management, hiring and supervising of staff, training--all to promote the Ralph Lauren experience.• Directed and executed quarterly shop presentations.• Served as a supervising manager of the entire Short Hills Mall store including all back of the house operations.

HOME SWEET HOME COOKING Owner/Executive Chef - Catering and Event Planning• Ran all business and event planning for self-owned catering company including theme conceptualization, menu planning and cooking, selection of party venues, and staffing.• Worked with private and corporate clients in East Hampton and Manhattan.• Catered events from small dinner parties to large-scale celebrations.

Q2 RESOURCE TELEVISION (a division of QVC), New York, NY Vice President, Home DivisionLed home furnishings business for Q2, a start-up division conceived and developed as an upscale home shopping network for QVC.• Responsible for all on-air home furnishing segments and selection of on-air talent.• Led team of buyers in the selection and development of product exclusive to Q2.• Reported to Barry Diller and Diane von Furstenberg on product content and story ideas.

BERGDORF GOODMAN, New York, NY Group Buyer –Traditional Gifts, Garden, Trim-a-Tree, Toys and Stationery• Bought antiques and vintage product to sell in unique Bergdorf Goodman Garden shop.• Traveled extensively in Europe for purchasing and development of product for Bergdorf Goodman’s exclusive use in store and in catalogue.

CONRAN’S HABITAT 1990 – 1992Group Buyer – Decorative Accessories, Stationery, Rugs, Trim-a-Tree, Toys• Responsible for product assortment, promotions, and domestic purchasing for all 17 U.S. locations.• Traveled throughout Europe and the Far East as a member of international buying team responsible for developing and purchasing product sold in Conran’s stores worldwide.

ASSOCIATED MERCHANDING CORPORATION Group Buyer – Crystal and SilverDeveloped exclusive product and programs for The Associated Merchandising Corporation (AMC), a retail merchandising sourcing services provider. • Responsible for follow-up and placement of $132M of orders from all AMC member stores.• Traveled throughout Europe, the Far East and South America to select and develop product to be presented at the AMC annual One-World meetings in Munich, Germany.

BLOOMINGDALE’S, New York, NY Buyer – Gifts, Flowers, Trim-a-Tree• Responsible for product development and product selection as well as P&L planning and implementation for all Bloomingdale’s locations include flagship location at 59th Street and Lexington Avenue in NYC.• Unique and specialized product assortment as well as effective management, made Trim-A-Tree the most profitable department in the entire Bloomingdale’s organization.• Successfully managed two Bloomingdale branch locations with responsibility for Gifts, Lighting, Trim-a-Tree, and Stationery.