The Local Bee is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to bringing awareness to the needs of local charities through donation drives and service events.Natalie Watson and Shawna Borg started The Local Bee in September 2020 with the goal of helping the community and providing simple service opportunities. They join their "Hive of Helpers" (members of the community) to provide help and support for those in need.Their motto is "Simple Service on a Local Level" and all are invited to participate. Visit @thelocalbee on Instagram for information about the monthly service opportunities, what charity or groups they are partnering with, why there is a need, and who the beneficiaries will be. Physical items as well as monetary donations are gratefully accepted.They seek to shine a spotlight on vetted local charities to bring attention to their efforts and help them in ways to make a local impact. "Our hope is that not only others will join The Local Bee in whatever donations we are seeking for the month but our helpers will be inspired by how they have made a difference and they will continue to serve the community well into the future." - Natalie Watson

I oversaw the marketing department for Fashion Place, Utah's leading super-regional shopping center encompassing over 1 million square feet of retail space.Annually, I reviewed data from extensive market research highlighting the primary market’s demographics and market growth to determine the most productive audience. I developed and executed an annual marketing plan targeting the core shopper while optimizing the budget through strategic implementation of consumer-driven marketing tactics including events, promotions, public relations, advertising campaigns, and digital assets. Through supporting marketing efforts for 150+ retail shops/restaurants, I refined the shopping center’s brand personality through signature fashion events, call-to-action promotions and charitable collaborations. Each uniquely designed to compel the core audience to identify with the shopping event, increase brand awareness, engage in the promotion both on social media and on-site interaction all resulting in moving the dial for stores sales, increasing mall traffic, and growing NOI for the real-estate investment trust.I worked closely with retail owners, regional managers, and store managers to improve individual store marketing tactics while motivating the shops and restaurants to participate in a myriad of digital and on-site marketing promotions available to them. I hosted/presented semi-annual center-wide meetings to boost motivation and inspire new ideas for retailers to implement for the upcoming year.I partnered with the leasing department to strategize retailer acquisition based on our market research, consumer research, shopping patterns, demographics and psychographics. I fostered relationships with new and prospective retailers to welcome them to the shopping center and set them up for success at the property. I built B2B relationships, became a reliable marketing consultant for retailers and connected with consumer both through social media tactics and onsite events.

I managed consumer marketing and public relations efforts for South Towne Center nearly 1.3 million square feet of retail space.While understanding the value of the company’s brand and what it takes to trigger a new and memorable touchpoint with the target audience, I was a trusted corporate brand ambassador for the company-wide national campaign covering 85+ shopping centers. I spearheaded a myriad of events and campaigns, some of which defined “new rules” in the shopping center industry creating a new norm for shopping traditions, while others re-defined shopping outings and the value of community outreach and collaboration. I secured an innovative business development opportunity generating $200,000 annually to the bottom line through a strategic partnership and received a national award for my successful collaboration with a leasing, a new retailer, and director of operations. Ultimately, each signature program and/or event I implemented contributed to success for retailers, increased loyal shoppers, assisted local charities, developed sponsors and impressed stakeholders.

I managed the Factory Stores @ Park City marketing department and oversaw and grand opening for the new 100,000 sq ft development/expansion (adding 20 new stores to the market). I planned and implemented annual marketing plans, introduced innovative summer events to the shopping center, and boosted public relations efforts for the new look of the outlet center. During an exciting and history time in the community, I aligned strategic local and international business partnerships with the shopping center leading up to and throughout the 2002 Winter Olympics. I served on local Summit County Olympic committee and secured valuable TV segments featuring the shopping center retailers.

I secured and executed strategic events generating traffic and sales to the mall in addition to sponsorship money benefitting the company's NOI. I was promoted to the Marketing Director position while assisting the Regional Marketing Director.