Experience

Central VA Small Business Development Center (CVSBDC)

• United States
• Business Consulting and Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Communications Consultant

  • Mar 2022 - Present

  Branding, communication, and marketing support for growing and early-stage small businesses in the City of Charlottesville, Virginia, and Counties of Albemarle, Culpeper, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Madison Nelson, Orange, and Rappahannock. Branding, communication, and marketing support for growing and early-stage small businesses in the City of Charlottesville, Virginia, and Counties of Albemarle, Culpeper, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Madison Nelson, Orange, and Rappahannock.



Valente Pasta

• Charlottesville, Virginia, United States

• Brand Manager

  • Feb 2020 - Present

  Consumer packaged goods brand redesign, product development, website relaunch, email, social media, sales and marketing strategy, engagement with wholesale and retail customer, and all communications for woman-owned small business. Consumer packaged goods brand redesign, product development, website relaunch, email, social media, sales and marketing strategy, engagement with wholesale and retail customer, and all communications for woman-owned small business.



The Bluebird Barn

• Charlottesville, Virginia Area

• Founder and Creative and Marketing Director

  • May 2006 - Present

  Consulting services covering Branding, Marketing, Content Creation, Event Planning, Social Media Strategy, Copywriting, Design Direction, Product Development, Influencer Programs, Assortment Planning, Licensed Art Management, Art Creation, Photo Shoot Art Direction, and Styling. Collaboration and exceptional customer experiences. Leader for events and creative experiences bringing communities together and building lasting connections. Also, Small Business Development Center (Advisor - Marketing, Branding, and Communications) Charlottesville, VA



Oliver Creek Farm

• United States
• Retail

• Director Sales & Marketing Operations

  • May 2010 - Dec 2022

  Marketing and sales for 500 acre Angus cattle grass-fed beef farm. Direct-to-consumer sales, strategy, community outreach, and customer relationships. Education regarding health benefits and preparation of grass-fed beef. Marketing and sales for 500 acre Angus cattle grass-fed beef farm. Direct-to-consumer sales, strategy, community outreach, and customer relationships. Education regarding health benefits and preparation of grass-fed beef.



Plow & Hearth

• Retail
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Product Designer

  • Jun 2002 - May 2006

  Designed, developed, and managed International sourcing, pricing, and marketing of exclusive products in partnership with US, European, and Far East vendors and agents. Design Team Lead for seasonal design direction. Designed, developed, and managed International sourcing, pricing, and marketing of exclusive products in partnership with US, European, and Far East vendors and agents. Design Team Lead for seasonal design direction.



L.L.Bean

• United States
• Retail
• 700 & Above Employee

• Manager, Buying, North and South America

  • Feb 2002 - Jun 2002

  • Managed timeline, production planning, and buying for high-volume programs. • Led team of buyers for all North and South American production.

• Merchandise Manager, Women's Strategic Business Unit

  • Apr 1999 - Jan 2002

  • Directed the merchandising of Women’s apparel via direct mail, e-commerce, and retail for products with annual sales of $300MM.• Managed seasonal pagination, merchandise turnover, and preproduction meetings to meet newness, service, and printing efficiency goals. Collaborated with art directors, stylists, producers, copywriters, product developers, inventory, marketing, customer service, retail stores, corporate sales, and e-commerce teams.

• Senior Inventory Buyer

  • Feb 1997 - Apr 1999

  • Developed and executed buy strategies for high-risk, high-volume products. Forecasted sales preseason, developed purchase strategy, planned production, extrapolated sales in-season, and negotiated production of revised needs for product retailing at $45MM annually.• Built strong relationships with domestic and South American vendors, Hong Kong, and South American offices, monitoring vendor performance and managing production.



Coats

• United Kingdom
• Textile Manufacturing
• 700 & Above Employee

• Key Account Manager, Marks and Spencer

  • Sep 1994 - Dec 1997

  Led key account team responsible for sales strategy, raw material procurement, costing and production of clothing, and achievement of budgeted sales of $50MM. Led key account team responsible for sales strategy, raw material procurement, costing and production of clothing, and achievement of budgeted sales of $50MM.