EXPERIENCE
NR Consulting
Freelance Copy Editor/Writer Jan. 2011 - Present
Styles: Associated Press, Chicago Manual of Style, American Psychological Association, and Modern Language Association.
Business Projects: Newsletters, Blog Posts, Press Releases, Websites, Grants, White Papers, Operational Documentation, and Technical Documents.
Academic Projects: Theses, Dissertations, and Research Papers.
Professional Projects: Speeches, Presentations, Resumes, Cover Letters, Professional Networking Internet Profiles, and Online Dating Site Profiles.
The Shop www.theshoptroy.com
Chief Operating Officer, Owner July 2013 – June 2016
Restructured a 100-year-old hardware store into a chic, urban restaurant-bar with a capacity of 99+ in less than two years; attained profitability within the first year of operation.
Operations: Established and managed the limited liability company, including all applicable legal and financial aspects. Developed the company mission, brand, and service standards with consideration to the unique characteristics of the physical space and local market. Curated a food and cocktail menu that balanced cost with projected profitability.
Finance: Managed the company’s $200K+ start-up budget, directed financial and budgeting strategies to maximize profitability, and performed comprehensive bookkeeping.
Risk: Secured and maintained appropriate comprehensive liability and workers compensation insurance, as well as all applicable local and state licenses and permits.
Compliance: Developed accounting policies to ensure state and federal accounting compliance. Conducted company policy compliance training to 15+ rotating employees; ensured compliance by monitoring and implementing applicable labor-related federal and state legal and safety requirements.
Human Resources: Designed a company HR policy manual in accordance with legal requirements and in line with the company mission and brand. Managed all aspects of staffing, performance training, payroll, and all human resource records.
Communications: Directed public relations and communications strategies. Led the conceptual form, function, and branding of the company’s media presence. Organized social media and web presence to ensure the voice and delivery of The Shop’s brand.
Trojan Lofts, LLC
Chief Operating Officer Jan. 2012 – Jan. 2016
Turned a vacant 39K sq. ft. industrial historic property into a residential and commercial real estate venture balancing preservation of historical architecture and contemporary design with modern amenities.
Operations: Established and managed the limited liability company, including all applicable legal and financial aspects. Co-produced a marketable brand while balancing cost and projected profitability.
Finance: Managed the company’s $2 million+ budget, directed financial and budgeting strategies, and performed comprehensive bookkeeping. Conducted grant proposal and tax-incentive program research focused in historic preservation as well as small business development loan research, application, and management. Secured and managed company’s small business development loan. Ensured maximization of tax incentives.
Risk: Secured and maintained appropriate and comprehensive liability insurance as well as all applicable local and state licenses and permits as related to the multiple aspects of the company: commercial tenants, residential tenants, and subcontractors. Developed and enforced company policies such as requiring tenant and subcontractor insurance policies list the company as additionally insured to protect the interests of the company.
Compliance: Developed accounting policies to ensure state and federal accounting compliance. Managed various subcontractors and commercial tenants to ensure legal and safety compliance.
Heavy 16th, LLC
Operations Manager Jan. 2012 – Dec. 2015
Led a private construction company with a focus on historical reclamation from an owner-employed, one-man start-up to a multi-employee operational engine.
Finance: Managed the company’s general budget and performed comprehensive bookkeeping. Ensured maximization of tax incentives.
Risk: Acquired workers compensation and general liability policies to cover growing staff and project scope as well as all applicable local and state licenses and permits.
Compliance: Developed accounting policies to ensure state and federal accounting compliance. Conducted company policy compliance training with employees, and ensured legal and safety compliance by monitoring and implementing applicable federal and state requirements.
Human Resources: Managed employee on-boarding, payroll, and all human resource records. Developed a company HR policy manual in accordance with legal and safety requirements.
Dating Practically, LLC
Dating Coach & Matchmaker, Founder May 2012 – May 2015
Founder and sole operator of a personal coaching business focused on romantic relationships.
Worked one-on-one with clients to analyze their current dating habits and create new ones based on goals leading them to happier, healthier, and lasting relationships.
Created a product mix with appropriate services and pricing to meet clients’ diverse needs that included writing online dating profiles, “ghost” online dating, one-on-one dating coaching, and matchmaking.
Successfully built a brand that attracted people that I have never spoken with to contact me regarding the most intimate details of their love life.
Groff NetWorks, LLC
Operations and Client Relationship Manager Feb. 2009 – Sept. 2011
Business and client relationship manager for a business IT support firm serving small-to-medium sized businesses.
Operations: Drove all logistical operations for a team of 5+, including proactive task management, billing, event coordination, client and internal issue mitigation. Developed internal company and client service policy standards.
Finance: Assisted CEO with approximately $700K budget preparation and oversight; sole employee responsible for expenditure decisions in CEO’s absence. Performed accounts receivable and payable duties.
Human Resources: Designed the company’s HR policy manual. Responsible for recruitment, hiring, performance reviews, disciplinary action, termination, and compensation packages.
Client Management: Sole manager of 200+ clients; facilitated communication, organization, contract terms, project satisfaction, and accountability across both internal and external stakeholders.
Communications: Directed all public relations, marketing, and sales process improvements including the establishment of a company brand resulting in a 67% increase in yearly recurring revenue. Led the conceptual form and function of the company’s web presence. Created and circulated the company’s monthly newsletter.
Shake Shake Mamas Café, LLC
Operator, Owner Aug. 2005 – Dec. 2008
Actualized a health food and smoothie cafe from a start-up fueled on a shoestring budget and a dream to profitability.
As a two-person show I managed all aspects of the business from backend operations to being an owner-employee on a daily basis.
EDUCATION
Master of Public Policy 2009
Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy at The University at Albany
Concentration: Public Policy Minor: Women’s Policy
Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude 2003
State University of New York at New Paltz
Concentration: Women’s Studies Minor: Law and Politics
VOLUNTEER BOARDS CERTIFICATIONS
Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood Young Leaders Committee 2010 - 2014
Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood
Board Member 2010 - 2013
Scenarios USA
Real Deal Selection Committee 2012 – Present
Sexual Assault and Crime Victims Assistance Program for Rensselaer County at
Samaritan Hospital
Volunteer Sexual Assault Counselor 2010 – 2011
The Arts Center of the Capital Region
Community Art$Grants Program Grant Panelist 2011 – 2014
PRESS THE SHOP
The New York Times
A Town on New York’s Hudson River Reinvents Itself
Times Union
Steve Barnes: Hardware store retools for food/drink
A stop at The Shop is worth your while
The Troy Record
‘Work hard, stay humble’http://www.troyrecord.com/general-news/20150318/work-hard-stay-humble
All Over Albany
Redeveloping a corner in Troy
A look inside The Shop in Troy
PRESS DATING PRACTICALLY
Times Union
Unlikely pairs
Looking for love in the Capital Region
Networking 301