Managed every aspect of a 12,000 square foot outlet store for a bedding and home décor wholesaler. Fully accountable for planning, forecasting, inventory management, pricing, merchandising, shrink reduction, sales management, customer service, marketing, promotions, staffing, training, facility management, profit, cost control, reporting, and every other facet of the business. Oversaw 2 stores simultaneously for 1 year. Led a team of up to 20.• Developed a customer-focused team with exceptionally high standards and turned the business around• Significantly improved sales, profitability, and the customer/employee experience• Built a great culture – improved communication, accountability, engagement, recognition, and retention• Surpassed the sales plan every year by 2-8% – increased the average sale by nearly 45%• Greatly improved the customer experience – raised Google Review scores from 2.3 to a consistent 4+• Conceived and executed marketing/promotional campaigns through local newspaper ads• Created a very popular customer email signup list to showcase promotions• Revamped the ordering process to maximize efficiency – reduced freight costs by more than 20%• Sourced third-party vendors and introduced new product lines, significantly improving the product mix• Selected after just 6 months to join quarterly inventory meetings with senior executives• Identified slow-moving products from each retail account and developed effective clearance strategies• Opened and managed a temporary 2nd location on a 1-year lease in Vaughan• Scouted locations, created the floor plan, ordered merchandise, hired the team, and directed the setup• Opened this new store on schedule and budget and exceeded opening sales projections• Retained the entire team of 10 in the temporary Vaughan location for the full year• Recruited, hired, onboarded, and trained approximately 20 new team members over the 6 years

Purchased and managed a 3,600 square foot flower shop that served customers and corporate clients in the GTA.Oversaw every aspect of the business including planning, budgeting, operations, customer/community relations, sales & profit growth, purchasing, quality control, inventory control, marketing, promotions, hiring, training, and much more. Led a talented and dedicated team that included 10 permanent associates and 4 seasonal staff.• Identified and capitalized on several new market opportunities to grow B2B sales• Consistently increased revenue with year-over-year highs of up to 25%• Conducted regular reviews with corporate clients to ensure satisfaction (quarterly, semi-annual, annual)• Sourced and introduced new small home décor products, which added 15% in incremental sales• Maximized efficiency and productivity in every area – grew profit by 4-8% per year• Implemented a new just-in-time inventory process that reduced flower spoilage by more than 20%• Leveraged third-party delivery services to improve service – lowered delivery costs by 12%• Recruited and onboarded 15-20 new floral designers, sales associates, and drivers over the 7 years

333 Yonge St 1991Oakville Town Centre 1992Upper Canada Mall 1993-1996Sherway Gardens 1996-1997333 Yonge St 1997-1998272 Queen St 1998-2005Managed all aspects of store operations and delivered yearly budget achievements through quality control, staff development and exceptional customer service. Gained knowledge and expertise in many areas of retail including budgeting, inventory control, purchasing, marketing and merchandising. · Organized and negotiated yearly budgeting with the home office.· Reviewed and analyzed sales and P&L, weekly and monthly, to ensure targets were met or exceeded.· Implemented inventory management systems that reduced excess and obsolete inventory resulting in yearly stock turn increases. · Opened 3 new store locations and successfully managed with continued profitable results.· Purchased and negotiated deals directly from suppliers, including bulk purchases for marketing initiatives and key selling periods. The deals negotiated resulted in surpassing budgeted purchase price variance and adding to the profitability of my stores.· Key member of track task force that successfully created and developed a “Best Practices Guide” for the AS400 inventory system, which standardized purchasing and returns that lowered inventory levels, while keeping out of stocks to a minimum and increasing stock turns.· Trained store management teams on implementing the “Best Practices Guide”· Developed merchandising techniques to create impulse and add-on sales, resulting in increased sales and profit.· Negotiated and secured co-op advertising dollars for print and radio ads.· Organized and executed blow out sale for chain wide obsolescence, generating over 200K in sales.· Ensured all staff were trained and developed in key responsibilities and had a clear understanding of company policies and procedures.· Provided support and coaching for new managers