Michelle Gunning Email & Phone Number

United States

Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

Remote - Huntersville, NC

Responsible for assisting the Interior Designers with inputting data, creating client proposals, orders and invoices. Communicates with vendors regarding pricing, orders and shipping issues. Proficient in Studio Designer & Square up.

Huntersville, North Carolina

• Catholic Ministries Volunteer (June 2019 - Present)
• Participates in educating, motivating and speaking to youth based group activities. Part-Time Stylist and Wedding Coordinator (July 2010 - June 2016)
• Managed, designed, and arranged venues, entertainment, florals, menus, invitations, lodging and anything else the bride desired for 6 clients.Project Manager (May 2014 – July 2014; Feb 2017 – March 2017)
• Managed, designed, planned, and budgeted two separate residential projects: $20K master bathroom remodel and $28K home & yard renovation with both concluding on time and on budget.
• Negotiated with contractors and subcontractors for best cost on materials and labor.

Mooresville, NC

• Styled customers in detail for special events, personal needs, and gifts. Successful track record for exemplary reviews on styling, sales, and volume.
• Developed clientele relationships through personal notes, honest feedback, and excellent customer service. Leveraged social media forums and other marketing methods to promote the company and bring in new clients.

Fort Worth, Texas

• Earned Buyer of the Year Award in 2012 for achieving highest gross margin increase of 21.6%, along with a 23% sales increase and 0.3% increase in turn over the previous year with only a 16.6% increase in purchases.
• Successfully managed $19.3 million by enforcing a strict open to buy across 3 departments in 74 stores located in TX, OK, LA, MS, and NM; while planning a variety of assortments by developing and implementing complex.
• Negotiated with 42 vendors for optimal cost, delivery terms and exclusives by partnering with vendors to develop and design styles to complete assortment needs or for a select event or season.
• Collaborated with the marketing team to grow and promote brand awareness, key styles, trends, and events through a variety of media forums.
• Interfaced closely with store sales managers and associates to obtain feedback used to improve merchandising strategies, brand knowledge, and customer service.

Fort Worth, Texas

• Restructured department to appeal to a broader customer, which resulted in achieving the department’s planned sales goals. Attained this by shopping new vendors at market, reviewing assortments, and growing existing.
• Teamed with marketing to enhance brand awareness, events and holidays using email blasts and print ads.
• Traveled to stores regularly to assess competitors, enhance sales floor, educate sales team, and gain insight on customer demographics.

Fort Worth, Texas

• Analyzed selling history and inventory levels to support buyer efforts in planning $31.1 million dollars in 74 stores located in TX, OK, LA, MS, and NM.
• Wrote new orders for high performing stores with off-price goods from vendors.
• Reallocated goods and adjusted auto-replenishment levels by store and style as needed.
• Reviewed inventory to suggest markdowns, transfers, and RTVs to Buyer.

Fort Worth, Texas

• Recognized for successfully managing a sales team of 40 associates with minimal turnover and excellent customer service and recruited 10 sales associates that met department needs.
• Ran an increase in department sales and gross margin to the previous year.
• Consistently recognized for visual merchandising skills and thinking outside of the box; which resulted in one idea being implemented division wide to 74 stores.
• Organized and executed fashion shows and events with country clubs, sororities, high schools and nursing homes that stimulated additional business outside of the store.
• Collaborated quarterly with vendors and buyers to hold brand awareness seminars for sales associates’ incentive programs.

Fort Worth, Texas

• Recognized for highest grossing sales, out of a 6 associate sales team, during period of employment.
• Traveled semiannually to shoe and apparel market with owner to aid in merchandise selection.
• Managed boutique in owner’s absence.