Melissa Barlow Email & Phone Number

Richmond - West

Own, operate, and manage local franchise of Card My Yard,™ a national yard greeting service providing customizable signs for special occasions and events. Cultivate and nurture positive relationships with business and residential customers to foster trust and loyalty to the brand, communicate regarding order placements, scheduling, budget constraints, and custom design needs. Maintain a 5-star review average. Manage inventory, launch direct marketing efforts and special promotions, coordinate with schools and non-profit organizations’ fundraising efforts.

Consult with business and residential clients to create and facilitate comprehensive, individualized organizational systems in order to gain more control over their space, reduce stress, reduce costs and loss, and increase productivity and efficiency. Create action plans for clients to develop, implement, and maintain strategies for long-term success; lead clients with compassionate communication, in a team-driven setting through varying needs and challenges including downsizing, mergers, and relocating.

Richmond, Virginia, United States

Arlington, Virginia, United States

Worked with clients to allocate and adjust budgets for catering services, event spaces, and hotel lodging, event planning, and design and review menu items and make allowances for dietary concerns and budget constraints. Managed hotel staff (restaurant, catering & event staff, front desk, housekeeping) assisted with guest check ins, investigated and addressed customer inquiries, concerns, and grievances; prepared and presented monthly and quarterly goals and prospects. Actively solicited catering jobs from local and national businesses, identified potential clients, developed bids for government contracts, and approved various promotional activities, managed external and internal communications, faxing, answering phones, and filing.

Richmond, Virginia Area

Developed and maintained client relationships with general managers of national and regional grocery chains throughout large metropolitan service area, established new customer base and increased existing product availability and placements. Created, trained, and managed promotions team to increase brand recognition, consumer connection and revenue in new and existing markets.

Richmond, Virginia Area

Owned and operated boutique specialty restaurant, catering, and events planning company, supervised 40+ employees at numerous locations with various restaurant and catering roles, managed accounts payable and receivable. Planned, designed, and executed corporate events and private weddings, working with diverse clients under stringent time and budget restraints. Negotiated contracts, performed general accounting duties, oversaw all human resources responsibilities including insurance benefits, scheduling, and payroll.

Richmond, Virginia Area