R. Brian Strable

**** ******* *****

Kissimmee, FL34746

804-***-****

*/**** – present Sales Manager

La-Z-Boy – Richmond, VA

Sales manager for third largest volume highest profit margin retail store in the corporately held La-Z- Boy Company. Responsible for achieving store sales goals by utilizing exceptional customer service and knowledge of La-Z-Boy products and services. Strove to build long-term customer relationships with the goal of increased sales and profitability. Led the Sales Associate Team to achieve sales objectives and store standards. Responsibilities included driving sales through personally selling the furniture, accessories, and services offered by La-Z-Boy, promoting and selling fabric protection through the company provided Ultrashield program, promoting In-Home Design sales, and maximizing store promotions, marketing initiatives, and grass roots programs. Duties also included the training of the Sales Associate staff on product knowledge and selling skills, educating the staff on the use and sale of La-Z-Boy furniture protection programs, ensuring customer satisfaction through overseeing Sales Associate interaction with clients, maintaining all customer records, overseeing the collection of deposits and fees, tracking deliveries, and maintaining the store appearance including but not limited to maintenance of showroom displays, tagging and facilities .

1/2008 – 4/2008 Store Manager

La-Z-Boy – Midlothian, VA (now closed)

4/2008-2/2010 La-Z-Boy – Richmond, VA (new location)

Store Manager for third largest volume retail store in the corporately held La-Z- Boy Company. Responsible for the overall profitability, sales culture, sales promotions, people development, store standards and operations, and customer experience. Duties included achieving all sales targets and meeting budget requirements, hiring, training, and educating sales staff, ensuring the maximization of all programs and marketing initiatives. Required to fill vacancies in a timely manner, keep associates up to date on product knowledge and selling skills, work with HR to stay current with all HR training and legal requirements, execute all tagging and sign programs, ensure all associates accurately completed paperwork, work with Marketing Manager to create grass roots marketing plans and community focused events, ensure maximization of In-Home Design program, ensure the maximization of the Guardsman furniture protection program.

8/2004 - 10/2007 Owner

Flooring Artistry - Richmond, VA

Owner of retail/commercial flooring store in Bon Air, Virginia. Handled all aspects of business ownership. Created and maintained vendor accounts. Negotiated purchase of all samples and display racking. Negotiated prices with vendors and sub-contractors. Hired, trained, and supervised staff and sub-contractors. Scheduled all jobs for sub-contractor installers. Generated leads, developed customer base, and handled all customer service related issues. Handled all accounting, billing, purchasing, and payroll. Created and executed advertising campaigns and planned trade show participation. Projected and implemented sales objectives, costs analysis and product evaluation.

6/2002 - 6/2004 Floorcovering Department Manager

Haynes Furniture Company - Richmond, VA

Management of flooring department for a large retail store including but not limited to; supervising the hiring training and daily activities of all department personnel, sales of residential and commercial flooring, participation in weekly staff and advertising meetings, planning of training seminars, inventory control including the management and supervision of flooring department warehouse personnel. Duties also included overseeing the staff of the furniture department as manager on duty, in that capacity responsibilities expanded to include knowledge of furniture department policies and procedures including but not limited to the sale of residential furniture and accessories.

9/2001 - 4/2002 General Manager

Richard C. Daniels & Co., Inc. - Richmond, VA

Start-up of new flooring division for existing general contractor. Responsible for all facets of the start-up including but not limited to; opening accounts with vendors, negotiating the purchase of samples and display racks, negotiating prices with vendors, interviewing, hiring, and negotiating prices of installers, arranging and writing advertising promotions, and the management of flooring sales staff.

1/1997 - 2/1999 Owner

Carpets Direct - Raleigh, NC

Owner of retail/commercial flooring store in Raleigh, NC. Handled all aspects of business ownership. Created and maintained vendor accounts. Negotiated purchase of all samples and display racking. Negotiated prices with vendors and sub-contractors. Hired, trained, and supervised staff and sub-contractors. Scheduled all jobs for sub-contractor installers. Generated leads, developed customer base and handled all customer service related issues. Handled all accounting, billing, purchasing, and payroll. Created and executed advertising campaigns and planned trade show participation. Projected and implemented sales objectives, costs analysis and product evaluation.

3/1995 - 1/1997 Salesman

Eatman's Carpet - Raleigh, NC

Duties included, sales of commercial and residential carpeting and vinyl, ordering project stock, customer service, complaint resolution, measuring and quoting of prospective projects, management of current projects.

2/1992 - 2/1995 Center Manager

AMF Bowling Centers, Inc. - Richmond, VA

Overseeing of staff including but not limited to; recruitment, hiring, training, scheduling, and payroll. Budget planning and implementation. Training of area managers. Negotiation of vendor contracts and purchasing for all facilities within the center.

Education/Special Interests

Continuing Education N.C. State University - Business Management & Employee Relations

PGA Business School - Degree in Golf Course & Resort Management

Retired Member of the Professional Golfers Association of America

Mohawk University Business Classes for Flooring Store Owners

References available upon request.

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