Business Development & Hospitality Sales Leader

KRISTIE L. FIRMIN

Central Florida 508-***-**** *************@*****.***

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT RELATIONSHIP SALES ENTREPRENEURIAL GROWTH

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Accomplished sales and business-development professional known for identifying opportunity, reaching key decision-makers, building trusted relationships and turning those relationships into measurable results. Highly focused, reliable and adaptable, with the ability to succeed in both entrepreneurial and structured environments. Equally comfortable building something from the ground up or stepping into an established organization, learning proven systems, following successful processes and growing within them. Brings strong networking instincts, persistence, flexibility and a hands-on approach to developing markets, solving problems and supporting long-term client relationships.

Core Strengths: Opportunity Identification • Decision-Maker Access • Relationship Building • Networking • New Business Development • Market Development • Strategic Partnerships • Adaptability • Reliability • Client Retention • Proven-System Execution

ENTREPRENEUR / STATEWIDE LIQUOR LICENSE HOLDER

Founder / Statewide Licensed Caterer & Event Hospitality Operator Flying Star Connections, LLC / The Courtyard Event Bar / Courtyard Mobile Bar & Events Florida

Operate under a Florida statewide 13CT catering alcohol license and hospitality catering structure, creating food-and-beverage programs for theaters, venues, private events and community organizations.

Create opportunities from the ground up by identifying venues and unmet needs, approaching decision-makers, developing partnerships, building event concepts and coordinating service, staffing and execution.

Combine sales, hospitality, licensing, vendor management, client service and event strategy to create revenue-producing programs for both the company and partner organizations.

HEMINGWAY'S / LEGACY CIGAR - MOUNT DORA & TAVARES

Business Development, Events & Hospitality Support Hemingway's / Legacy Cigar Mount Dora & Tavares, Florida

Supported growth through relationship development, local networking, customer-experience initiatives, events and community connections.

Identified partnership and revenue opportunities involving entertainment, hospitality, licensed events and local organizations, then worked directly with decision-makers to move ideas into execution.

Provided hands-on operational and business-development support across locations, including events, promotions, customer service and partnership development.

BUSTER TUBBS / THE LAKE DOOR COURTYARD

Owner / Operator Buster Tubbs / The Lake Door Courtyard Central Florida 2023–2026

Purchased and operated a restaurant/bar business, overseeing sales, customer service, staffing, vendors, events and day-to-day operations.

Rebuilt and reopened the business following a major kitchen fire, coordinating recovery efforts while maintaining focus on customers, operations and revenue generation.

Used networking, community visibility, events and relationship-based business development to build traffic, partnerships and local awareness.

CREDIT CARD PROCESSING SALES

Merchant Services / Payment Processing Sales & Business Development EMS • SpotOn • The Card Company Massachusetts & Florida

Built business by identifying prospects, reaching owners and key decision-makers, developing referral relationships and converting opportunities into long-term merchant accounts.

Joined EMS in 2018 and became a leading producer at office, regional and national levels; transferred from the Boston office to Tampa during the 2020 COVID shutdown and ranked No. 2 in Florida before leaving.

Recruited by SpotOn with a $10,000 signing bonus and company-funded resolution of a noncompete, reflecting established production and market value.

Developed business through direct prospecting, networking, sponsorships and local commerce/community events.

As the Florida book of business grew, increasingly served as a hands-on consultant and client advocate, supporting merchants beyond the initial sale.

MASSACHUSETTS WORK HISTORY

KLF&D Solutions — Consultant: Supported start-up businesses with client acquisition, sales recruiting/training and revenue-growth projects.

Marathon Staffing Group — Business Development Manager: National Top Sales Person; exceeded annual sales quota by 204%, grew revenue from approximately $320K to $1.6M with 29 new accounts, and supported teams serving 180+ temporary employees.

Boston Herald — Classified Advertising Sales: Generated new business through cold calling and networking, exceeded monthly quotas, earned recurring Over-Achievers recognition and won multiple sales contests.

Independent Health Insurance Sales — Producer: 100% commission-based producer with more than $500,000 in annualized volume and Top Producer recognition.

Millennium Mortgage Services — Co-Owner / Director of Operations: Generated approximately 90% of revenue and led hiring, training, sales production and client transactions.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT & ENGAGEMENT

Central Florida Chamber and civic/community involvement, including member recruitment, event support and relationship building among local businesses and organizations.

Planning & Zoning / civic service experience and ongoing participation in community partnerships, theaters, fundraising and local events.

Known for connecting people and organizations, recognizing mutually beneficial opportunities and helping move ideas forward through personal relationships and direct follow-through.

EDUCATION / CERTIFICATIONS

Framingham State College / Bentley College — Business / English

Florida Statewide 13CT Catering Alcohol License / Hospitality Catering Operations

Former Massachusetts Licensed Health Insurance Broker

Former Florida Licensed Mortgage Broker

Additional certifications to be added to master résumé

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