Experienced innovator and development professional with a demonstrated history of game-changing in the apparel, retail, and educational business. Specialties in concept-to creation, leadership, sales, client development and strategic partnerships. Strong marketing professional with a master’s degree in Fashion Trend Forecasting from Polimoda.
The Raw Materials Innovation team shapes, surprises and engineers delight into the future guest experience through advanced innovation principles and material science. We go beyond the classic research and development methodologies into the realm of limitless possibility for both body and mind. We innovate new materials that didn't exist, we innovate new manufacturing techniques that didn’t exist, we create new experiences for our guests that they didn't know they wanted it. We engineer new sensations and functionality in our materials. We lead the industry in creating sustainable materials. We work on short-, mid-and long-term projects by defining 'state of the art,' leading research, building insight, generating unique points of view, creating prototypes and proving principles.
Develop. Grow. Achieve. DOOR Training & Consulting offers simple, yet fast and effective solutions to help your team grow continuously and achieve their and therefore the company’s best results. For this company, I work to deliver training initiatives on behalf of global clients for North American initiatives with a specialty in leadership, luxury, sales & retail.
o Responsible for delivering exceptional guest experiences in a high-volume flagship retail setting for an average of 10 hours a week. o Work as a part of the team alongside management, key leaders, and other collaborators to support the business. o Undertook all onboarding and training initiatives including IDEA (Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, Action), PK, Lululemon Studio (formerly Mirror).
o Created a 3rd-party marketing system connecting luxury retailers to online buyers for selling and recapitalizing write downs, aged inventory, and damaged high-value inventory. o Created a profitable re-commerce business with omnichannel sales using Shopify, connected apps and cost-free social media strategies. o In year 1, grew inventory to 1.6 M in retail value merchandise and >$60k in sales with an advertising budget of $0. o Remotely hired, trained, and mentored a diverse, multi-national team of 10 in e-commerce, photography, graphic design, merchandising and marketing specialists. o Moved to Kelowna in 2021 and further streamlined with conversion to 100% drop shipping. o Guided suppliers through linked services to ethically recycle, dispose or donate waste inventory for tax relief.
o Promoted after 9 months of Instructing courses to Interim Academic Director for Fashion Programs. (Fashion Design, Fashion Marketing, Jewelry Design and Fashion Styling). o Management of 15+ staff and the academics for 100+ students. Key deliverables of oversight of teaching and learning, student services, faculty development, industry outreach, research projects and administration. o Shepherded the launch of a new Bachelor of Design in Fashion Design in a 6-month span. Liaised with internal & external stakeholders in finance, marketing, and academic leadership to start with an initial cohort of 10 students. o Designed a new $2M state-of-the-art wet and dry textile laboratory where craft and cutting-edge experimentation could intersect. Coordinated the architects, construction manager & facilities team & international suppliers to realize development of the space on time for launch and 20% under the original budget. o Co-founded a new circular economy “The Fashion Re-Source” with a student committee of 6 people. Established a library of donated textiles, sample room waste and other materials and equipment for re-use by the fashion department from local designers and manufacturers. o Transitioned the Fashion departments to 100% online remote learning in response to the Covid-19 pandemic by implementing Microsoft Teams and Google Classroom.
o Headed growth of collaborations, external partnerships, merchandising and retail activation for an urban athletic and omnichannel vertical retail brand. o Influenced senior management, reporting directly to the CEO to drive concept development and project management of merchandising initiatives in an innovation driven, publicly funded start-up. o Grew merchandising at RYU from 1 to 7 employees by developing a training program and mentoring the Visual Merchandiser to lead a team of in-store merchandisers at 5+ locations. Co-produced a playbook and training videos with partners in retail, product, and brand to evolve merchandising efforts within the brand for growth. o Executed a clearance sale in Q1, 2018 that produced 11% of the total business volume in sales for the quarter. Produced the event on schedule and revenue target for the preplanned budget. o Engineered collaborations with Rise Gyms at WeWork USA, Equinox Fitness, Nordstrom, Capsule collection with Artist Jason Dassault, Layback & Co., and the concept development for the brand’s personal care line.
o Strong focus in business advisory to start-ups, entrepreneurs, and SME businesses with expertise in design, product development, consumer identification, brand positioning/re-positioning, POC and sales strategy. o Accomplished B2B sales, trend resources, online subscriptions, and custom solutions to Canadian manufacturers and retailers. o Forged international partnerships with trend forecasting market leaders including Shoesplanet.com (Italy), Trend Union (France, USA), Trend Bible (UK), and Mode…Information (Germany). o Canadian clients include Aldo Group, TJX Canada, Hudson’s Bay Company, CCM (Reebok) and Walmart Canada. o Grew network to 4000+ people and 350+ Canadian HQ brands; achieved annual sales plan in commissions, special project fees and guest appearances for live presentations in future studies and innovation. o Executed a unique marketing plan by partnering with trade shows and organizations such as the KnowShow, Apparel Textiles Sourcing, Spryshow and Fashion Group International to maximize exposure and sales.