Suzie di Benedetto

Cell: 504-***-**** ad4iex@r.postjobfree.com

Passionate a bout a position caring for Animals

Some Past Experience:

Candidate: Fabric Design Sales & Marketing Position CORPORATE SALES & MARKETING BACKGROUND IN TEXTILE SALES TECHNOLOGY MARKETING SALES PROMOTION & PRESENTATION CLIENT CONSULTATION EXCEEDING SALES GOALS OUTSTANDING BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS PROVEN ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT SKILLS

Relationship-Based Sales Skills

Successful Team Leadership

Strategic Business Planning

Conversational Spanish & Italian

Building Strong Brand Image

Competitive Analysis & Research

Proven Revenue Enhancement

University Undergraduate Degree

Contract Negotiation Skills

Customer Retention Techniques

Cold-Calling & Lead Generation

Making Effective Presentations

Summary of Qualifications

EXPERTISE Proven expertise and significant knowledge in textile design, sales, production, marketing, and business development for woven textiles, mattress ticking, and fabrics used in home furnishings. Over two decades of significant and successful professional experience, including experience as Stylist, CAD Designer, Sales & Marketing, and Client & VIP Account Relations.

SALES SKILLS Conducting B2B sales calls and presentations to top corporate decision-makers, prospecting for new business, cold calling, monitoring technology trends, increasing revenues, educating clients on features, benefits, and product developments, generating profitable relationships, executing marketing programs, assisting clients with account issues, and solving customer service issues. REPUTATION Consistent reputation as a “Hunter”… not a “Farmer.” Recognized by corporate executives, staff, and clients for taking on and accomplishing special projects, detail-oriented consultative sales skills, prioritizing tasks to accomplish maximum results, timely completion of projects, setting the pace for sales teams, innovative strategies to target specific market segments. TECHNOLOGY SNAPSHOT:

Various Software Packages & CAD Systems, ACT!, Red Tail, Microsoft Office, Word, Notes, Excel, Access, eOffice, Outlook, Lotus Notes, AS400, Power Point, Etreby, 20/20, QuickBooks, Blackboard, Photoshop EXPERIENCE Executive Assistant; 2011 to Present

RON CARAZO & ASSOCIATES, LLC N/ SECURITIES AMERICA, INC.; Metairie, Louisiana

Currently serve as Executive Assistant for a Wealth Management brokerage firm with a wide range of sales, client services, and administrative duties. Duties include client reception, maintaining executive calendar and account records, general information services, coordinating office operations, invoicing, and providing client information. Ensure strict compliance with regulatory rules and requirements.

Currently preparing for Series 6 examination and certification under sponsorship of the company to sell securities. Assist all sales, client services, and administrative activities involving financial services for 401(k) plans, personal retirement accounts, processing and proofread account applications, client marketing, and prospect development. Assist other sales reps, create and present statistical reports, input data into CRM software, coordinate travel arrangements, document expenses, manage vendor relationships, and assist with planning for charitable events.

Coordinate office support for estate, retirement, investment, and tax planning activities for clients, manage AP/AR, process disbursement memos and check requisitions, make daily deposits, and create monthly projections and end-of-month summaries. Oversee payroll, calculate hours, and maintain personnel files. Assist in preparing investment marketing packages, advertising and collateral marketing, and management of special projects.

Event Catering Team Leader; 2009 to 2011

LAKEVIEW DELI CATERING DEPT.; New Orleans, Louisiana

Served as customer advocate for clients in planning their weddings, receptions, VIP parties, meetings, and more. Assisted with beverage options, transportation, menu planning, budgeting, and problem- solving as needed. Maintained responsibility for overseeing catering operations, negotiating pricing, coordinating banquet and meeting room setup and breakdown, facilitating employee development and training, monitoring payroll, scheduling projects and tasks, and all other duties as assigned.

Responsible for coordinating staff, delegating duties appropriately, food preparation, managing cash flow, regulation of various daily operations, and organizing and maintaining ordering/inventory activities. Focused on building productive relationships with event decision-makers. Suzie diBenedetto Résumé, Page 2

EXPERIENCE Sales & Merchandising Manager; 2008 to 2009

(continued) PELICAN CONSIGNMENT SHOP; New Orleans, Louisiana

Opened and launched an innovative consignment fashion boutique. Executed monthly floor plan of merchandise, coordinated merchandising, created attractive window displays, and managed product delivery. Calculated profit margins, monitored inventory, and settled customer issues. Utilized sales skills to meet and exceed all targeted sales goals. Independently gained new business through networking within the community.

Coordinated initial store layout, coordinated with contractors, purchased equipment, set up cash register system, hired and trained new staff, and Grand Opening event planning. Provided customer service and assistance in locating and choosing merchandise, opened and closed store, and coordinated cash, credit card, exchange, and return transactions, promoted store by calling customers and organizing in-store parties, extensive merchandising and inventory rotation, supervision of sales associates, and creation of unique visual displays.

Interior Design Professional / Post-Katrina; 2005 to 2007 SUZIE DIBENEDETTO / FREELANCE; New Orleans, Louisiana

Following storm damage from Hurricane Katrina, responsible for interior design consulting for a raised

(8’) 2,800 sq. ft. custom residence. Utilized space planning software, ensured compliance with local permit requirements & safety regulations, hired and supervised contractors as needed, selected interiors and design elements, negotiated prices, purchased supplies, and worked within a strict budget.

Responsible for upholstered furnishings, lighting, and interior accessories. Specific projects included color scheme creation, drapery, paint, bedding, and accessories. Calculated prices, consulted on window treatments and furniture coverings, and provided measurements, drawings, price estimates, and delivery arrangements.

Director of Styling / International Sales-Marketing Division; 1993 to 2005 BLUMENTHAL PRINT WORKS; New Orleans, Louisiana

Initially hired as CAD Designer and promoted to Assistant Stylist, Head Ticking Stylist, Head Stylist of Converter Fabrics, and Director of Styling for a firm specializing in mattress ticking. Major clients included Serta, Simmons, and King Koil. Traveled extensively to Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Canada to meet with clients and resolve production design issues. Developed strong relationships with buyers.

Served as liaison between the sales force and design team, conducted creative marketing, attended special events, and implemented a variety of designs for specific demographic requirements. Personally led and directed a team of designers from concept to finished product in order with a focus on creating and marketing a continuously diversified and competitive product line on manufacturing, technical, and retail levels.

Created original jacquard woven designs via strong CAD proficiency and creative expertise, actively engaged in training new associates through sharing wealth of industry experience, and provided customized sales and color trend presentations. Participated in product development via ongoing market research, trend analysis, and trade show attendance in order to maintain a leading edge both technically and aesthetically.

Woven Jacquard Label Designer; 1987 to 1989

F.G. MONTABERT, INC.; Midland Park, New Jersey

Selected as Woven Jacquard Label Designer for a New Jersey firm servicing the apparel industry. Generated woven jacquard label designs from artwork to finished product for well-respected industry clients, including Levi Strauss, Ocean Pacific, and the Gap. Front-of-the-House Trainer; 1987 to 1992

TGI FRIDAY’S; Parsippany, New Jersey

Responsible for training new front-of-house waitstaff team and related training duties for a busy, casual dining theme-based chain restaurant. Responsible for all aspects of service operations, including high quality customer engagement, table presentation, food & beverage service, and high-volume sales.

Assisted in marketing and merchandising of bar services and emphasized safe, hospitable environment. Performed end-of-shift checkout, tip-sharing calculations, and balancing of cash and credit cards. Developed and implemented strategies to increase the per person average check through upselling desserts and beverages. Greeted and seated customers, memorized daily specials and promotions, operated cash register, performed opening / closing procedures, and assisted in expediting orders and table turnover during busy periods.

EDUCATION Bachelor of Science Degree (B.S.) Degree (with Honors); 1986 PHILADELPHIA UNIVERSITY; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Major: Textile Design

Areas of Concentration: Art & Design, Fashion Merchandising, Marketing & Management of Woven & Printed Fabrics for Home Furnishings & Apparel

Honors: Dean’s List, Graduated with Honors

Activities: Tutored undergraduate students in Intro. to Textiles and Algebra & Fabric Structure at Philadelphia College of Textiles & Science (1984-1986)

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