Experience

Vaila Shoes

• United States
• Retail
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Founder and CEO

  • May 2021 - 2 years 8 months

  Charlotte, North Carolina, United States Vaila Shoes is a dress shoe brand for women who wear extended shoe sizes of 9-14. Vaila was founded with an intention to empower women of forgotten shoe sizes. After over a decade of failed dress shoe shopping experiences at retailers who stock limited, outdated and less inclusive footwear, Ahriana Edwards (founder) decided to create Vaila to give women access to footwear that fit well and look good. Vaila Shoes are engineered for the larger foot structure, designed with modern fashion… Show more Vaila Shoes is a dress shoe brand for women who wear extended shoe sizes of 9-14. Vaila was founded with an intention to empower women of forgotten shoe sizes. After over a decade of failed dress shoe shopping experiences at retailers who stock limited, outdated and less inclusive footwear, Ahriana Edwards (founder) decided to create Vaila to give women access to footwear that fit well and look good. Vaila Shoes are engineered for the larger foot structure, designed with modern fashion trends in mind, and made for women who handle business and beyond. Vaila is on a mission to achieve plus-size inclusivity in the footwear space. Show less



Women's Business Center of Fayetteville

• Advisory Board Member

  • Jul 2021 - 2 years 6 months

  Fayetteville, North Carolina, United States



Techstars

• Ireland
• Think Tanks

• Founder Support & Growth Associate

  • Jan 2023 - Apr 2023

  As a Founder Support & Growth Associate for the Techstars Anywhere Accelerator, my role is to assist startup founders with administrative duties to help expedite their company goals within the program. Founders reach out to associates on pressing needs to assist with their company tasks and we coordinate with EIRs to ensure that our founders receive optimal support. I’ve assisted with providing guidance and admin work on the areas of fundraising, sales and marketing, and strategic planning… Show more As a Founder Support & Growth Associate for the Techstars Anywhere Accelerator, my role is to assist startup founders with administrative duties to help expedite their company goals within the program. Founders reach out to associates on pressing needs to assist with their company tasks and we coordinate with EIRs to ensure that our founders receive optimal support. I’ve assisted with providing guidance and admin work on the areas of fundraising, sales and marketing, and strategic planning. Ultimately, my goal is to serve as a “contract” team member, save founders time, and help drive founders to achieve their business objectives. Show less



Nestlé

• Switzerland
• Food and Beverage Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Nestlé Sales Development Program Trainee

  • May 2021 - Sep 2022

  Atlanta, Georgia, United States The Sales Development Program is crafted to accelerate the promotion of sales professionals and is the ideal fast track for students eager to pursue a sales management career. The accelerated program provides immense opportunities to learn Nestlé's brands, categories, and channels of business. Throughout the rotational program, participants manage an independent sales territory; drive business results by motivating a team; and perform data analysis to provide measurable insights to the… Show more The Sales Development Program is crafted to accelerate the promotion of sales professionals and is the ideal fast track for students eager to pursue a sales management career. The accelerated program provides immense opportunities to learn Nestlé's brands, categories, and channels of business. Throughout the rotational program, participants manage an independent sales territory; drive business results by motivating a team; and perform data analysis to provide measurable insights to the category and account teams. Graduates utilize their knowledge and experiences to propel their career forward as they explore multiple careers paths across the sales organization.

• Incoming Nestlé Sales Development Program Trainee

  • Feb 2021 - May 2021

  Atlanta, Georgia, United States



Fayetteville State University

• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Business Student Ambassador

  • Aug 2019 - Apr 2021

  Fayetteville, North Carolina Area As a undergraduate student of Fayetteville State University, I aim to extensively drive personal development, demonstrate excellent leadership and providing ongoing mentorship to the Broadwell College of Business & Economics student body.

• Peer Career Coach

  • Aug 2019 - Apr 2021

  Fayetteville, North Carolina Area As a Peer Career Coach (PCC) at Fayetteville State University, my job is to ensure that my peers are on the right track to their personal development and career goals. PCC’s help students identify resources for career exploration, and assist students with locating information for internships, fellowships, summer and part-time jobs, and full-time job searches.

• Peer Mentor

  • Jul 2018 - Oct 2020

  Fayetteville, North Carolina Area Serve as an Educational Peer Mentor by successfully preparing incoming freshman of Fayetteville State University to be well-rounded, involved, educationally disciplined, and resourceful individuals.



Facebook

• India
• Banking

• GBG Account/Partner Manager Intern

  • Jan 2020 - Aug 2020

  Austin, Texas • Responsible for building relationships and helping clients drive business results on Facebook and other supporting platforms through consultation, account management, education, and support • Cultivated and explored Facebook’s solutions for businesses of all sizes while quickly adapting to recommendations that suit varying client needs • Incorporated an entrepreneurial mindset on new innovative plans and strategies for the implementation of programs to improve the client/agency… Show more • Responsible for building relationships and helping clients drive business results on Facebook and other supporting platforms through consultation, account management, education, and support • Cultivated and explored Facebook’s solutions for businesses of all sizes while quickly adapting to recommendations that suit varying client needs • Incorporated an entrepreneurial mindset on new innovative plans and strategies for the implementation of programs to improve the client/agency experience with an emphasis on ad products and value creation • Collaborated cross-functionally within sales and other Facebook organizations to drive revenue and increase customer satisfaction Show less



Toyota North America

• United States
• Motor Vehicle Manufacturing
• 700 & Above Employee

• Sales, Marketing, and Management Intern

  • May 2019 - Aug 2019

  Glen Burnie, Maryland As a Sales, Marketing, and Management Intern at Toyota, I will gain knowledge of the daily operation of the company along with completing various business-specified rotations.



Firehouse Subs

• United States
• Restaurants
• 700 & Above Employee

• Crew Member

  • Jul 2015 - Jan 2019

  Charlotte, North Carolina Area



Thurgood Marshall College Fund

• United States
• Education Administration Programs
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Innovator

  • May 2018 - May 2018

  Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area During the Opportunity Funding Corporation (OFC) Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program, I collaborated with young leaders with business, technical, and graphic design concentrations to develop a demo, pitch, and strategic planning for the creation of an innovative mobile app.



YMCA of Greater Charlotte

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 500 - 600 Employee

• Summer Camp Counselor

  • May 2017 - Jul 2017

  Charlotte, North Carolina Area Collaborated with other team members on planning and enforcing activities for children from ages 6-16 while supervising 10+ campers a week. Job included being responsible for the care and safety of the children and equipment. Participated in many fitness and learning activities with children while also demonstrating a great role model for the summer camp kids.