Tara T. Brewster Email & Phone Number

Greenfield, Ma, Us

Greenfield, Ma, Us

As a Business Development Specialist for Greenfield Savings Bank I build relationships and make the space for deeper connections from both new and existing clients in our primary markets located in Hampshire and Franklin Counties. By creating a vast and more unified network I am able to aide and assist the needs of the Pioneer Valley on the various levels that a banking relationship can help a customer: loans, deposits and investment management services both through the personal and commercial sides of our banking portfolio . By defining long-term organizational strategic goals, building and expanding upon key customer relationships, and identifying business and partnership opportunities in our region Greenfield Savings Bank will continue to gain market share. As an externally facing member of our Team I am accessible and visible to those that need our services most. If you see me out and about in the community please come and introduce yourself.

Springfield, Ma, Us

I build marketing and sales campaigns for events, promotions, and customer engagement strategies. I coach businesses on effective networking skills and how to develop better community partnerships. I connect business and non-profit leaders to discover mutual opportunities for strategic partnerships. The Vann Group is a collection of professional service firms that help businesses and organizations create, maximize and realize the unlocked value in their companies. We provide a full suite of outsourced professional services including accounting & bookkeeping, recruitment, organizational development & training, merger & acquisition services and traditional management advisory services such as strategic planning, financing assistance, succession & transition planning and crisis & turnaround support.

I develop, market, and support programming to enhance the downtown experience and present Springfield favorably to residents, businesses, students, and visitors. Programs that I have assisted in launching have been the Springfield Gift Card, The Downtown Springfield Merchants Association, and the Holiday Pop-Up Marketplace. I am engaging the administration from the area colleges and local business community in the region to participate in a greater way in Springfield. I bring together business and property owners to grow downtown business occupancy. I network and connect workers to employer to fill job vacancies for the region.

Transitioned the business over a 7-month period as part of acquisition agreement to ensure the store’s successEducated new owner on the menswear industry Instructed on how to run a successful small business locally and regionallyDetailed a Sales Strategy including Buying, Promotions, and Community Outreach/Karma ProgramsTaught Cash Flow/Bookkeeping and Accounting Practices on QuickbooksDetailed the customer maintenance system and emphasized the importance of constantly feeding and fishing the marketGuided new ownership through wholesale buying strategy and process at seasonal Menswear Shows in New York and Las Vegas, in addition to regional appointments with sellers

Consultant to owner Nov. 2013 – Apr. 2014I was retained by the new owner for a seven month period after the sale to ensure a successful transfer of ownership. I provided guidance on purchasing, promotions, customer development, community involvement, retail strategy, staff management, bookkeeping and cash flow management.Business owner Jun. 2007 – Nov. 2013I was the co-owner of a profitable and respected retail store with business partner for six years. Weachieved ambitious and consistent profit growth of 10-15% annually. We developed unique marketing campaigns that engaged customers with novel and unexpected experiences. We donated more than $10,000 annually to local non-profit organizations. We partnered with the Northampton High School and UMASS internship programs. I networked at local and regional events including the Northampton, Easthampton, Holyoke, Springfield Chambers, Northampton Area Young Professionals, Springfield Area Young Professionals, Valley Venture Mentors, and many auction and non-profit fundraisers. We developed an original business plan with the help of the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (MSBDC) and Valley Community Development Corporation (Valley CDC). We secured local financing and line of credit under the Small Business Administration (SBA) Women Owned Business Program from Florence Bank and Greenfield Savings Bank.

● Traveled from Maine to Florida to conduct sales calls growing sales in the Northeast from $200,000 to $500,000● Promoted to cover entire east coast due to sales success and managed all aspects of the work individually as boss was located in Bell, CA.● Learned how to cold call as well as work with established accounts● Received first-hand experience in understanding and building relationships within the wholesale men’s apparel business

● Oversaw the company’s seven stores with locations in Northampton, MA, Keene, NH West Hartford, CT Winchester, MA and Providence, RI ● Worked closely with the store managers to assist them in attaining their goals for employees, sales, promotions, customer relations, and time management

● Oversaw the managers of Taylor Women and Strada to assist them in attaining their goals for employees, sales, promotions, customer relations, and time management ● Managed Taylor Men including daily store operations such as inventory, sales, employees, customer relations, and community outreach● Continued to have growth in sales and staff which was accomplished by weekly meetings and sales goal monitoring

● Worked part to full time while in high school and college to develop my time management skills, balancing competing priorities and obligations as a student and an employee● Was the company’s top sales person within 3 months and held that title for over 6 months● Honed sales skills by outperforming the goals set while remaining challenged due to ability to create my own projects and holding own responsibilities● Was put on straight commission as a way to incentivize my sales drive● Promoted from sales associate to promotions director to manager to district manager to regional sales manager in six years time

B.A., Government/Anthropology

Diploma, Regular/General High School/Secondary Diploma Program