September Howat Email & Phone Number

Akron, Oh, Us

Akron, Ohio, United States

• Plays a key role in promoting the independent bookstore’s mission and vision of social justice, equity, and lifting the voices and visibility of writers from marginalized communities by curating book selections.• Organizes successful events like a biannual Grown-Up Book Fair with 350+ attendees, achieving the store’s single-day sales record.• Provides high-quality leadership, direction, and support to one full-time and four part-time staff while managing daily operations.• Leads the implementation of an inventory management system that has reduced stock discrepancies by 20%; manages the annual budget and identifies cost-saving opportunities to ensure financial stability.• Establishes and grows a robust network of community partners to expand workshop and event opportunities, successfully partnering with the University of Akron, Students With A Goal (S.W.A.G.), Akron Urban League, Akron Roundtable, etc.• Strengthens brand positioning, awareness, and engagement by spearheading the development and execution of impactful marketing campaigns spanning social media, email, and community-based channels.• Demonstrates strong logistics management skills while overseeing inventory and analyzing program outcomes, leveraging insights to inform future program development and strengthen program impact.• Supports business growth by researching grant opportunities and assisting non-profit collaborators with grant applications.• Drafts and prepares detailed reports and documentation for leadership, recordkeeping, and compliance.• Evaluates the performance of assigned staff to identify strengths and opportunities for additional coaching.• Navigates complex challenges and conflicts with a professional demeanor and solution-focused mindset.• Pursues professional development opportunities to continuously strengthen skills and expand knowledge.• Employ project management expertise to guide internal projects and initiatives from conceptualization to delivery.

Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida Area

Partnered with investors to advance the business and to explore new opportunities

Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida Area

Leadership & Management• Managed and executed the expansion of business into new locations across Tampa Bay• Interviewed, hired, trained, and supervised 20-30 seasonal and year-round staff on company philosophy, equipment and safety, and best practices• Designed and executed creative multi-channel systems improvement to streamline operations, offer customers a top-notch experience with minimal product waste and loss, and engage them in marketing and social media initiatives• Increased year-to-year sales growth by 292% during my operations oversight• Sourced and ordered all supplies to order to ensure cost-savings goals and quality benchmarks were met • Mentored and championed employees while fostering a culture of mutual respect, teamwork, and excellenceCommunications & Marketing• Led a staff team focused on unmatched customer service with an emphasis on anticipating the needs of the customer • Ensured positive customer service outcomes by developing and implementing a company handbook, policy manual, and a new staff training program • Earned and maintained for 7+ years a 5-star rating on Yelp, Trip Advisor, Google, and other customer-based rating sites• Engaged in broad market and customer research to successfully introduce new products to reach untapped market segments and introduce creative loyalty programs and merchandise to boost retention• Launched and organically grew all Beach Snoballs social media accounts and strategies including providing all images, video, and copy

• Developed new relationships with community college partners in a territory new to Ferris State University• Established protocols and procedures for a new office and strived to increase visibility of Ferris State to increase enrollment and enhance student satisfaction in the Metro Detroit region. • Addressed student questions on a variety of issues as it relates to admission, registration, orientation and advising and provided general academic advising to current and prospective students• Communicated with office staff and students across multiple campuses as well as various community college partners

• Conveyed the value of a Ferris State University education to both prospective and newly admitted students by delivering compelling presentations on a weekly basis and crafting detailed communication strategies.• Handled administrative responsibilities, such as processing new student applications and reviewing transfer credits.

Mba, Management Tools And Techniques

Bachelor Of Arts, Sociology