Develop and execute sales strategy to build business with new and existing customers to meet goals and objectives for a company which offers employers supplemental insurance coverage that complement what the company already provides to employees.• Build and implement territory and account sales plans, and execute consultative sales processes to achieve target goals from the sale of supplemental insurance programs to small, medium, and large businesses in the St. Louis metro area.• Utilize an understanding of the supplement insurance marketplace to market products and services to Employers, Affinity Groups & Associations, Payroll Partners, TPA's and the Insurance Brokerage Community.• Promote CWS products and services to help businesses increase the value of their current benefits plan, financially protect employees during a health event, and attract, acquire and retain higher quality employees at no direct cost to the company.• Prospect for new business by identifying potential clients, networking, cold-calling, and referrals.• Cultivate and manage relationships with key decision makers including business owners and C-Level executives to promote company products and develop a sales pipeline.• Prepare proposals and deliver sales presentations, negotiate agreements, and close sales.• Position CWS as a one-stop-shop for all enrollment needs, offering a full range of proprietary and third-party enrollment systems that can save both time and money.• Teach employees how their current benefits work for them, which enables a better understanding and appreciation of available benefits; tailor insurance solutions to each employee’s personal needs to help control their rising personal healthcare costs.• Offer superior customer service before and after the sale.

Hired to recruit top sales professionals for the local sales team for an insurance company which offers supplemental health benefits for life insurance, accident insurance, disability insurance and more.• Recruit, interview and hire high-performing sales managers and agents to join the sales team in the St. Louis market which sells supplemental insurance to small, medium, and large businesses.• Build an effective sales team to prospect for new business and promote the benefits of Colonial Life products• Focus on hiring the right people that can sell products and services to help employers manage the increasing costs of benefits through voluntary benefits and tax savings, oversee the enrollment process, educate employees on benefits provided.

Concepted, started-up, owned, and managed all operational and financial aspects of a popular New Orleans-inspired restaurant & bar presenting Cajun fare and live music on weekends.• Developed a new concept, scouted and selected location, and launched a new business from scratch, which allowed patrons to experience the extraordinary, culinary delights of Southern Louisiana in the heart of St. Louis County.• Hired and collaborated with a new Executive Chef to develop new menu items and recipes, analyze food and labor costs, set menu prices, and prepare food with attention to quality, portion control, food safety, and kitchen sanitation.• Led and directed a team of 40 employees in the overall management and operation of a 5,000 square foot, 150-seat restaurant featuring a bar, dining room, and patio, serving lunch and dinner six days a week.• Ensured the highest product quality with superior service, interacting regularly with customers to promote hospitality and ensure total satisfaction by immediately resolving any issues to promote positive word-of-mouth reviews and repeat visits.• Maximized profitability through the development of an annual budget, scheduling expenditures, controlling cost of food, beverage, labor and supplies, minimizing waste, analyzing variances, and taking corrective actions.• Recruited, trained, scheduled, supervised, motivated, counseled, evaluated, and retained employees; maintained a safe, secure, fun, and healthy environment with the highest sanitation standards in compliance with all health codes & requirements.• Developed and executed marketing and advertising plans to generate new and repeat business.

Purchased a franchise with offered direct mail advertising services targeted to affluent homeowners, and managed all aspects of the business, serving the St. Louis market.• Developed and implemented sales and marketing plans in a scratch territory to sell direct mail advertising for businesses which included restaurants, construction companies, landscaping, financial planning, medical professionals, home improvement and various other consumer related products and services.• Identified client needs while researching ways to successfully improve their business sales and services, which consistently resulted in repeat business, loyalty, and high customer retention rates; provided post-sales assistance to all customers.• Planned, implemented and managed individual marketing and sales plans for clients for direct mail consumer communication. • Collaborated with clients on marketing collateral design ideas, acquired artwork, and worked closely with the graphic design team at company headquarters to produce high-quality print materials.• Utilized interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills expand the customer base in the territory through cold contacting, networking and account management.• Assisted other new franchise owners throughout the U.S. in establishing their territory and sales development activities.

Owned and managed all operational and financial aspects of an upscale, full-service, casual dining American restaurant featuring a bar, dining room, and patio in a fast-growing area.• Oversaw all day-to-day operations of a popular 5,000 square foot, 150-seat restaurant serving lunch and dinner seven days per week; duties included daily problem solving, employee scheduling, ordering, product quality, service, and cleanliness.• Handled all details to start the new business including developing a business plan, securing financing, developing pro forma financial statements, setting up a new corporation and obtaining appropriate licenses; managed and oversaw construction. • Grew revenue to $1.2 million in the first full year of operation by growing customer base, offering server incentives, and catering special events, banquets, and private parties.• Recruited, hired, trained, motivated, and retained a staff of 50 front-of-house, and back-of-house employees, communicating job expectations and appraising performance to ensure the highest product quality with exceptional service.• Hired chefs to develop new menu items and recipes, analyze food and labor costs, and develop and revise kitchen procedures to optimize work flow; managed purchasing and inventory control.• Developed and executed marketing and promotional plans to generate new business; networked with local community and various other corporate entities to increase business and cash flow.

Managed all financial areas and oversaw operational aspects of a casual-dining, kosher restaurant with a menu featuring fish, pizza, and pasta.• Led a team of 10 employees at a 2,200 square foot, 75-seat full-service restaurant offering lunch and dinner menus six-days per week, to provide the highest quality food and beverages with superior service to a loyal clientele.• Hired, trained, supervised, and scheduled kitchen and service staff, managed purchasing and inventory control, developed kitchen workflow, and ensured compliance with safety, sanitation, and food preparations standards.• Expanded customer base with outside catering and school lunch programs for 250 students at two local religious schools.• Created marketing plan to increase revenue; analyzed and interpreted financial data to ensure profitability.

Hired and promoted to develop new business and retain existing clients throughout the state of Missouri for a producer and distributor of a range of industrial products to maintain equipment, machinery, vehicles, and buildings.• Developed marketing and sales strategies to sell industrial maintenance products to end-user maintenance or engineering personnel at small to medium sized businesses, and to two Fortune 500 companies – Procter & Gamble, and Monsanto.• Provided leadership and direction to two Sales Representatives based in St. Louis and Kansas City to actively pursue new business development; handled client relationship management, which included a spectrum of customer support functions.• Won “Hall of Fame” Award as a top-ranked professional in sales related to electrical, mechanical and chemical products.