Elizabeth Ann Roy
Owner & Content Writer
For those in the textile, sewing, and craft industries who need web content writing or copywriting, I offer a unique blend of skills. I am both an experienced content writer, an experienced gardener, and an expert sewer and crafter with sales and management experience on the retail side of the fabric and crafts industry.
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Content Writing Samples
To read Elizabeth's writing samples, visit the MarBeth Home Arts Blog. Writing and Content Writing Experience My first publication, and my first paid publication, came at the same time, in 1989, with a sale to Careers, a magazine of educational, vocational, and lifestyle advice for high school juniors and seniors. That magazine, like the Scholastic magazines, circulated nationally throughout school systems in the United States. The article, which suggests a system for peacefully dividing household chores among roommates, was featured in the January/February, 1990, issue as part of a pull-out section of advice for college-bound high school juniors and seniors. It was inspired by a younger cousin's unhappy experience with a friend when they decided to be roommates. |
Elizabeth Ann Roy, owner and content writer of Home Arts Content and Copywriting
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By 1995, I was serving as a staff writer for The Historian, a regional print magazine that covered the history of Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.
I joined Textbroker.com and Elance.com, now known as Upwork.com, in March, 2009. I was a four-star writer on Textbroker, and I passed an Associated Press (AP) style proofreading test that was required for promotion to five-star status. On Upwork, a test of my skills and knowledge places me among the top 10 percent of Upwork's online SEO blog and article writers.
I belonged to over 100 teams on Textbroker.com, many of them exclusive, invitation-only teams managed by clients or by Textbroker on behalf of clients
Between Textbroker and Upwork, I have 15 years of experience writing search engine optimized (SEO) website content, articles, blog posts, white papers, company descriptions and histories, DIY instructions, product descriptions, product buying guides, product comparisons, press releases, and more.
I have a B.A. in psychology from Ohio State University, and in 2005, I returned to Ohio State to study strategic communication, which includes advertising, marketing, promotions, and public relations. I completed courses in advertising, customer relationship marketing (CRM), creative message design, brand promotion, and persuasive communication techniques before my studies were interrupted by the consecutive illnesses of two family members.
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Crafting and Retail Background
My mother introduced my sister and me to sewing and crafts early. She taught us to sew, do stamped embroidery, and crochet. We moved on from there.
I learned how to knit by hand and on a knitting machine; do counted thread embroidery, crewel embroidery, and cross stitch; tat, a form of lace making; macramé; and do needlepoint, including plastic canvas needlepoint and petit point. I also have done some candle making and resin casting, and I have worked with polymer clay.
I taught tatting, knitting, and needlepoint for Leewards Craft Bazaar.
In high school, I took four years of vocational home economics along with college preparatory courses, and I studied interior decorating before starting college.
Through this training, I learned about the characteristics of various textiles and choosing the appropriate fabrics for various sewing projects, both for sewing clothing and for home sewing projects. I also learned about the characteristics of carpet, drapery, and upholstery fabrics and the various types of flooring.
At work, because of my training in interior decorating, I usually was the one who helped customers choose drapery and upholstery fabrics.
As a sales associate, class instructor, craft department manager, and assistant manager for Fabric World, Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts, So-Fro Fabrics, Leewards Craft Bazaar, and Hancock Fabrics, I continually updated my knowledge of textiles, yarn, crochet cotton, tatting thread, and embroidery floss. I also kept current with trends in the textile, sewing, and craft industries as well as in the related industries of fashion and interior design.
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Writing Niches
Given my background, I made sewing, crafts, interior decorating, and buying guides for cookware and kitchen appliances my content writing niche on Textbroker.
From there, I've ventured into other home-related areas such as gardening, landscaping, and hardscaping. I belonged to a team that writes blog posts for roofing and siding companies, and I have also written about the care and maintenance of HVAC systems, plumbing issues, and DIY home repair and home remodeling including instructions on how to install tube lighting and garage doors (and why the latter is better left to an expert).
Maybe handiwork and mechanical projects are in my genes. One of my grandfathers and one of my uncles had woodworking shops. One cousin worked with his father to build a car from a kit, and my father, who worked for AT&T as an outdoor and, later, a central office telephone installer and repairman, also knew how to do electrical wiring.
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I joined Textbroker.com and Elance.com, now known as Upwork.com, in March, 2009. I was a four-star writer on Textbroker, and I passed an Associated Press (AP) style proofreading test that was required for promotion to five-star status. On Upwork, a test of my skills and knowledge places me among the top 10 percent of Upwork's online SEO blog and article writers.
I belonged to over 100 teams on Textbroker.com, many of them exclusive, invitation-only teams managed by clients or by Textbroker on behalf of clients
Between Textbroker and Upwork, I have 15 years of experience writing search engine optimized (SEO) website content, articles, blog posts, white papers, company descriptions and histories, DIY instructions, product descriptions, product buying guides, product comparisons, press releases, and more.
I have a B.A. in psychology from Ohio State University, and in 2005, I returned to Ohio State to study strategic communication, which includes advertising, marketing, promotions, and public relations. I completed courses in advertising, customer relationship marketing (CRM), creative message design, brand promotion, and persuasive communication techniques before my studies were interrupted by the consecutive illnesses of two family members.
Back to Top
Crafting and Retail Background
My mother introduced my sister and me to sewing and crafts early. She taught us to sew, do stamped embroidery, and crochet. We moved on from there.
I learned how to knit by hand and on a knitting machine; do counted thread embroidery, crewel embroidery, and cross stitch; tat, a form of lace making; macramé; and do needlepoint, including plastic canvas needlepoint and petit point. I also have done some candle making and resin casting, and I have worked with polymer clay.
I taught tatting, knitting, and needlepoint for Leewards Craft Bazaar.
In high school, I took four years of vocational home economics along with college preparatory courses, and I studied interior decorating before starting college.
Through this training, I learned about the characteristics of various textiles and choosing the appropriate fabrics for various sewing projects, both for sewing clothing and for home sewing projects. I also learned about the characteristics of carpet, drapery, and upholstery fabrics and the various types of flooring.
At work, because of my training in interior decorating, I usually was the one who helped customers choose drapery and upholstery fabrics.
As a sales associate, class instructor, craft department manager, and assistant manager for Fabric World, Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts, So-Fro Fabrics, Leewards Craft Bazaar, and Hancock Fabrics, I continually updated my knowledge of textiles, yarn, crochet cotton, tatting thread, and embroidery floss. I also kept current with trends in the textile, sewing, and craft industries as well as in the related industries of fashion and interior design.
Back to Top
Writing Niches
Given my background, I made sewing, crafts, interior decorating, and buying guides for cookware and kitchen appliances my content writing niche on Textbroker.
From there, I've ventured into other home-related areas such as gardening, landscaping, and hardscaping. I belonged to a team that writes blog posts for roofing and siding companies, and I have also written about the care and maintenance of HVAC systems, plumbing issues, and DIY home repair and home remodeling including instructions on how to install tube lighting and garage doors (and why the latter is better left to an expert).
Maybe handiwork and mechanical projects are in my genes. One of my grandfathers and one of my uncles had woodworking shops. One cousin worked with his father to build a car from a kit, and my father, who worked for AT&T as an outdoor and, later, a central office telephone installer and repairman, also knew how to do electrical wiring.
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Asking questions to establish an accurate and thorough understanding of your goals and your customers before beginning work saves time and frustration later by reducing and possibly even eliminating the need for revisions. Once we agree that I understand, in every detail, what you seek to accomplish, I will use my knowledge and experience to help you achieve your goal.
I will suggest alternatives, if I think that they will better achieve your goal, and don't be surprised if I tell you that you would be better off with a writer with experience in a different area. I have done that for other clients.
As I see it, my business reputation depends on completing your project successfully.
To me, establishing and maintaining a reputation for reliability, trustworthiness, and high quality work is more valuable than the money I would earn from accepting a project that is outside of my skill set.
If I decide to venture into a different area of copywriting, it's up to me to seek the necessary training to develop my skills in that new area. In my opinion, it's not up to clients to pay for on-the-job training. I have given my past employers my full attention and my best work. I do the same for clients. If that is the type of copywriter you would like to have as a partner in your business, contact me, and let's discuss your business and your next content or copywriting project.
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In My Life
I live in a suburb of Columbus, Ohio. For the six years prior to her death in June, 2016, my sister and I were full-time caregivers for our mother. We were happy to be able to be there for her when she needed us, and we are happy that she didn't have to go to a nursing home. Some people don't have the option that my sister and I did.
While we were caring for our mother, sites like Textbroker, Upwork, and Zazzle.com allowed my sister and me to add to the household income without having to leave our mother alone. After her death, though, we went through an extended period of financial struggle as well as going through the process of deciding what was next in our lives, as many former caregivers do.
I discovered American Writers & Artists, Inc. (AWAI) in 2015. I was inspired by their newsletters and their Smart Start Copywriting Program to combine my background in writing with my background and interest in what I think Martha Stewart once described as the "home arts". Caring for our mother and then ensuring that we had food and shelter had to come first for my sister and me. In 2020, we were finally reaching a more financially secure place, and we all lived through what happened next. By 2021, though, I was able to go back to working to create the niche writing business I first described in a business plan in 2009. Here's to the future and to seeing what it may hold for my sister and me, for my business, and for you, your family, and your business.
If I'm the sort of copywriter who can help you with your business, contact me and let's get started on your next content or copywriting project.
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I will suggest alternatives, if I think that they will better achieve your goal, and don't be surprised if I tell you that you would be better off with a writer with experience in a different area. I have done that for other clients.
As I see it, my business reputation depends on completing your project successfully.
To me, establishing and maintaining a reputation for reliability, trustworthiness, and high quality work is more valuable than the money I would earn from accepting a project that is outside of my skill set.
If I decide to venture into a different area of copywriting, it's up to me to seek the necessary training to develop my skills in that new area. In my opinion, it's not up to clients to pay for on-the-job training. I have given my past employers my full attention and my best work. I do the same for clients. If that is the type of copywriter you would like to have as a partner in your business, contact me, and let's discuss your business and your next content or copywriting project.
Back to Top
In My Life
I live in a suburb of Columbus, Ohio. For the six years prior to her death in June, 2016, my sister and I were full-time caregivers for our mother. We were happy to be able to be there for her when she needed us, and we are happy that she didn't have to go to a nursing home. Some people don't have the option that my sister and I did.
While we were caring for our mother, sites like Textbroker, Upwork, and Zazzle.com allowed my sister and me to add to the household income without having to leave our mother alone. After her death, though, we went through an extended period of financial struggle as well as going through the process of deciding what was next in our lives, as many former caregivers do.
I discovered American Writers & Artists, Inc. (AWAI) in 2015. I was inspired by their newsletters and their Smart Start Copywriting Program to combine my background in writing with my background and interest in what I think Martha Stewart once described as the "home arts". Caring for our mother and then ensuring that we had food and shelter had to come first for my sister and me. In 2020, we were finally reaching a more financially secure place, and we all lived through what happened next. By 2021, though, I was able to go back to working to create the niche writing business I first described in a business plan in 2009. Here's to the future and to seeing what it may hold for my sister and me, for my business, and for you, your family, and your business.
If I'm the sort of copywriter who can help you with your business, contact me and let's get started on your next content or copywriting project.
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Curriculum Vitae
Summary Statement
Objective
Seeking long-term, remote B2B and/or B2C content writing and/or copywriting clients and freelance positions and to build mutually beneficial, ongoing partnerships.
Abilities and Key Accomplishments
Content and Copywriting
Sales and Customer Service
Organizational and Managerial
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Employment History
Writing Experience
HomeArtsContentandCopywriting.com
Owner and Copywriter, 2018 to present
Textbroker.com, 8076 W. Sahara Ave., Second Floor, Las Vegas, NV 89117, (702) 534-3832
Freelance Writer, 2009 – 2021
Upwork.com, formerly Elance.com
Freelance writer, 2009 to present
The Historian
Staff Writer, 1995-1996
Freelance Writer
Freelance Writer, 1979 -- present
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Entrepreneurial Experience
MarBeth Creative Pursuits
Co-owner and Graphic Designer, 2010 to present
BeautiControl Cosmetics
Independent Image Consultant, 1989 – 1992 (company declared bankruptcy, out of business)
Sign-Grams, novelty lawn greeting signs, 1985 – 1987
Partner
Grocery Boy Shopping Service, grocery shopping, 1980 – 1981
Partner
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Management Experience
K-mart, Hunter’s Ridge Shopping Center, Gahanna, OH 43230 (store closed)
Assistant jewelry department manager, November 1994
Promoted to fashion accessories department manager, December 1994 – April, 1995
Twinstant Inc. dba Santa Plus, Westerville Park Mall, Westerville, OH 43081
Location Manager, Christmas 1991
Frank’s Nursery Christmas Store, Westerville Park Mall, Westerville, OH 43081
Assistant Manager, Christmas 1991
Hancock Fabrics, 34 Westerville Square Shopping Center, Westerville, OH 43081
Assistant Manager, 1989 (store closed, company out of business)
So-Fro Fabrics, 2100 Morse Rd., Columbus, OH 43229
Craft Coordinator (Craft Department Manager), April to October 1987 (company out of business)
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Sales Experience
Retail Sales Experience
Jo-Ann Fabrics, Dublin Village Center, Dublin, OH 43017 (store closed)
Sales associate, September to October 1999
Jo-Ann Fabrics, Hunter’s Ridge Shopping Center, Gahanna, OH 43230 (store closed)
Sales associate, September to October 1994
Leewards Craft Bazaar, 2745 Northland Plaza, E. Dublin Granville Rd., Columbus, OH 43229
Sales Associate and Class Instructor, May to December 1988 (out of business)
J. C. Penney, 1721 Northland Mallway, Columbus, OH 43231
Sales Associate, Christmas 1982 (store closed, mall closed and demolished)
J. C. Penney, 1721 Northland Mallway, Columbus, OH 43231
Sales Associate, Christmas 1980 (store closed, mall closed and demolished)
Jo-Ann Fabrics, Westerville Center Shopping Center, Westerville, OH 43081
Sales Associate, July 1973 – September 1974
Lazarus Department Store, 1649 Northland Mallway, Columbus, OH 43231
Sales Associate, Christmas, 1972 (store closed, mall closed and demolished)
Fabric World (later, Monique Fabrics) 54 Westerville Square, Westerville, OH 43081
Sales Associate, April – June 1972
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Inbound Phone Customer Service and Sales Experience
Honey Baked Ham, 6464 Sawmill Rd., Columbus, OH 43235 (614) 764-1717
Inbound Telephone sales, Easter 2005
SubmitOrder.com, 7611 Green Meadows Dr., Lewis Center, OH 43035 (740) 548-0258
Customer Service, September – October 1999
Ticketmaster, 1103 Schrock Rd., Columbus, OH 43229, (614) 847-4400
Ticket agent for regional ticket sales center, July -- September 1997
Cheryl & Co., 646 McCorkle Blvd., Westerville, OH 43081, (614) 891-8822
Inbound Catalog Sales Consultant, Thanksgiving through Valentine’s Day 1996
Recalled to work foe Mother’s Day 1997
Recalled to work for Thanksgiving through Valentine’s seasons 1997 – 1998 season
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Miscellaneous Work Experience
Harcourt Educational Testing Services, Graceland Shopping Center, Columbus, OH
Training Team Leader, April – May 2000
Charles Levy Transportation Co., 1003 Distribution Dr., Columbus, OH 43228
Magazine Merchandiser, July 1999
Olsten Staffing Services, 87 E. Wilson Bridge Rd., Worthington, OH 43085
Customer service and clerical, December 1996 – May 1998
United Magazine, 770 W. Goodale, Columbus, OH
Magazine merchandiser, May - June 1997
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Education
Currently pursuing completion of:
The Ohio State University, 2007 – 2008
The Ohio State University , B. A., psychology, 1973 -- 1977
LaSalle Extension University, interior decorating, 1969 -- 1970
Westerville (South) High School, Westerville, OH 43081 1965 – 1969
Other Experiences
Traveled through areas of the United States and Canada on periodic motorhome trips with my family, 1978 -- 1980
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Summary Statement
- More than 10 years experience in B2C and B2B content writing and copywriting
- Experience in presenting features and benefits of products and services as the answer to a customer’s wants, desires, and sales resistance
- Strong background in management, retail sales, customer service, and inbound telemarketing sales
- Creative, a self-starter, and a problem-solver
Objective
Seeking long-term, remote B2B and/or B2C content writing and/or copywriting clients and freelance positions and to build mutually beneficial, ongoing partnerships.
Abilities and Key Accomplishments
Content and Copywriting
- Maintained a four-star ranking at Textbroker.com with a constantly decreasing rejection rate of 1.19 percent
- Ranked among the top 10 percent of writers at Upwork.com on a skills test of writing SEO articles and blog posts
- Served as a staff writer for Garden.eco, an online organic gardening resource
- Served as a staff writer for The Historian, a regional print magazine covering the history of Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Michigan
- Authored an article featured as the lifestyle article in a May/June pull-out section for college-bound high school seniors by Careers, a nationally circulated magazine of educational, vocational, and lifestyle advice for high school juniors and seniors
- Published short stories in print in Penninsular and online at Buzzwords, Eclectica, Flash Me Magazine, and Pindeldyboz
- Designed and formatted Mounted Butterflies, a Collection, a short story anthology for the Kindle Store, which includes the above stories and others
- Awarded honorable mentions twice in the articles' division of Writer's Digest’s annual writing competitions
Sales and Customer Service
- Resolved customer service issues as a retail manager, an assistant manager, a department manager and a sales associate
- Taught tatting, knitting, and needlepoint for Leewards Craft Bazaar and raised one tatting student’s confidence to the point that she began signing up for other classes, deciding that, since she had learned to tat, she could learn any craft
- Doubled craft department sales in a newly opened store during the traditionally slow summer months as a craft coordinator for So-Fro Fabrics
- Listened to ticket buyers during sales as a ticket agent for Ticketmaster and consistently placed among the top five agents in sales of subscriptions to Ticketmaster’s Live Magazine by presenting the benefits of the subscription as the answer to the ticket buyer’s questions, concerns, and problems
- Created a tiered system of rewards for Ticketmaster to encourage ticket agents to be more consistent in offering Live Magazine subscriptions to ticket buyers.
- Created a categorized index of the products in the Cheryl & Co. (formerly Cheryl’s Cookies) catalog to enable sales consultants to better assist customers with their selections
- Third highest overall in combined dollars sales and add-on sales rate for December 1996 as a catalog sales consultant for Cheryl & Co.
- The only member of the catalog sales team to have been above the departmental average in dollar sales and add-on sales rate all four weeks of December 1996 as a catalog sales consultant at Cheryl & Co.
- Assisted the customer service and corporate sales departments with customer service issues as a catalog sales consultant for Cheryl & Co.
- Increased the sales of wool fabrics for a Jo-Ann Fabrics store by adding coordinating solids to a table that was merchandised solely with plaids; subsequently placed in charge of merchandising the store’s fashion square area
Organizational and Managerial
- Recognized the decreased level of foot traffic and mall business and adjusted scheduling of employees to save 144.5 employee hours and maintain profitability as the location manager of mall Santa photo promotion for Twinstant, Inc. dba Santa Plus
- Motivated Santa Plus crew to:
Achieve 48-percent of the previous year's sales without mall providing advertising of Santa's arrival or presence in the mall (Merchants claimed 60% of previous year's sales with advertising)
Achieve 63-percent of potential sales to actual sale ratio.
Achieve 41-percent of wallet size photo sales to add-on lamination sale ratio.
- As the craft coordinator (craft department manager) for So-Fro Fabrics, maintained ordering schedule while simultaneously making changes to the department displays and the stockroom that were requested by the regional manager and while preparing the craft department for inventory, fall and Christmas layout changes, and a visit by the head of the craft and notions division from the home office
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Employment History
Writing Experience
HomeArtsContentandCopywriting.com
Owner and Copywriter, 2018 to present
- Provide copywriting services to clients; create, assess, and maintain marketing plan; maintain blog and website
Textbroker.com, 8076 W. Sahara Ave., Second Floor, Las Vegas, NV 89117, (702) 534-3832
Freelance Writer, 2009 – 2021
- Provided B2B and B2C content and ghostwritten copywriting services to Textbroker.com clients including white papers, how-to and other articles, blog posts, social media posts, product category descriptions, product descriptions, product reviews, and more
- Followed client guidelines when creating content and copy
- Maintained quality of writing to meet or exceed 4-star standards
- Maintained a rejection rate of 1.19 percent
Upwork.com, formerly Elance.com
Freelance writer, 2009 to present
- Provide B2B and B2C content and ghostwritten copywriting services directly to clients including white papers, how-to and other articles, blog posts, social media posts, product category descriptions, product descriptions, product reviews, and more
- Follow client guidelines when creating content and copy
The Historian
Staff Writer, 1995-1996
- Research and write one to three articles totaling 10-pages of content on the history of an assigned area within the states of Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Michigan on a bi-weekly publication schedule.
- Complete assignments of other writers who missed their deadlines.
Freelance Writer
Freelance Writer, 1979 -- present
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Entrepreneurial Experience
MarBeth Creative Pursuits
Co-owner and Graphic Designer, 2010 to present
- Use own, original photographs to create graphic designs for print-on-demand products sold through Zazzle.com for several themed stores
- Promote products created for MarBeth stores
- Promote products created by other designers through Zazzle’s affiliate program
BeautiControl Cosmetics
Independent Image Consultant, 1989 – 1992 (company declared bankruptcy, out of business)
- Schedule and present image consultations for a hostess and up to three guests including analysis of skin tones to determine best colors for each, instruction on use of skin care products, instruction on the selection of makeup colors and application of makeup, and suggestions on choice of clothing colors, styles, and accessories to complement skin tones, body type, and fashion personality
- Answer questions about BeautiControl Cosmetics
- Introduce other products such as perfumes, jewelry, and clothing
- Transport sufficient inventory to fill orders for skin care and cosmetics immediately
Sign-Grams, novelty lawn greeting signs, 1985 – 1987
Partner
- Generate ideas for lawn sign designs, cut the signs from plywood, and paint them
- Create advertising, promotions, and publicity for business
- Schedule appointments for the placement of signs and record requested message for the sign
- Create the message banner for the signs, deliver the sign with the requested message at the requested place and time, and remove the sign at requested time
- Closed the business due to irregular demand and the illness of a family member
Grocery Boy Shopping Service, grocery shopping, 1980 – 1981
Partner
- Create advertising, promotions, and publicity for business
- Accurately record the list of requested groceries and shop for and deliver the groceries on the requested day at the requested time
- Closed the business when grocery stores began offering grocery deliveries with no fee for delivery
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Management Experience
K-mart, Hunter’s Ridge Shopping Center, Gahanna, OH 43230 (store closed)
Assistant jewelry department manager, November 1994
Promoted to fashion accessories department manager, December 1994 – April, 1995
- Assisted customers with merchandise selections
- Straightened merchandise
- Assisted in misses’ and children’s’ clothing departments where department managers were on extended leave of absence due to health issues
- Inventoried the gold and silver jewelry and the jewelry with precious or semiprecious stones when opening or closing the jewelry department and compared that inventory with the preceding inventory; called store security to assist with a second inventory if a discrepancy occurred
- Left because, while held responsible for maintaining the fashion accessories department, I was assigned by the soft lines manager to work in the misses’ and children’s clothing departments every day I was scheduled to work, but my work review was based on the condition of the fashion accessories department, which had received no attention at all
Twinstant Inc. dba Santa Plus, Westerville Park Mall, Westerville, OH 43081
Location Manager, Christmas 1991
- Hired and trained two men to portray Santa, an assistant manager, and a sales associate
- Scheduled, supervised, and evaluated the performance of the Santa Plus team members
- Helped parents to ease their children’s fears of Santa as needed
- Directed the posing of large groups so that everyone was included in the photo
- Offered lamination of wallet-size photos as an additional service
- Filled out the daily sales reports and made the bank deposits
- Cleaned and maintained Santa’s costume as needed
Frank’s Nursery Christmas Store, Westerville Park Mall, Westerville, OH 43081
Assistant Manager, Christmas 1991
- Helped set up the store, including decorating the display trees
- Supervised a team of four sales associates
- Assisted customers with choosing decorations, including a neighboring, family-owned jewelry store in the mall whose owner felt, correctly, that between the Frank’s Nursery Christmas Store and the decorated store on the other side, his storefront did not show up well. I helped him select an elegant garland and helped him intertwine the garland and a string of white lights to drape around the entrance of the store. He was pleased with results, and his foot traffic improved greatly.
- Left at the request of the manager after an uncertain diagnosis of pneumonia or bronchitis which required waiting for an x-ray to be interpreted to resolve.
Hancock Fabrics, 34 Westerville Square Shopping Center, Westerville, OH 43081
Assistant Manager, 1989 (store closed, company out of business)
- Assisted with the set up of this store and another new Hancock Fabrics store
- Supervised and evaluated the job performance of a team of seven sales associates
- Contributed to hiring and firing decisions
- Opened and closed store
- Filled register tills when opening store
- Filled out and transmitted daily sales reports when closing the store
- Closed registers, counted tills, and made bank deposits when closing store
- Corrected over-rings and other errors made during ringing of sales on registers
- Assisted customers with selections of patterns, fabric, and notions; cut fabric; and rang sales
So-Fro Fabrics, 2100 Morse Rd., Columbus, OH 43229
Craft Coordinator (Craft Department Manager), April to October 1987 (company out of business)
- Worked with the sales associates, the store manager, the district manger, and the regional manager to set up the store, including the craft department
- Monitored the inventory of craft department and reordered merchandise from vendors as needed on a bi-weekly schedule
- Checked-in and priced delivered merchandise
- Stocked and straightened craft department
- Monitored new merchandise being test-marketed in the store and filled out sales reports
- Promoted sales of merchandise by featuring it on selected end caps and by creating displays for display boards above gondolas
- Led team of two in the inventory of the craft department
- Conducted scheduled markdowns of discontinued merchandise according to craft department calendar
- Set up displayers for featured test-market or seasonal merchandise
- Assisted customers in the craft department, on the fabric and notions side of store, and at the register
- Left when offered a position at higher pay rate by the manager of Leewards Craft Bazaar, but opening of Leewards was delayed by construction issues
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Sales Experience
Retail Sales Experience
Jo-Ann Fabrics, Dublin Village Center, Dublin, OH 43017 (store closed)
Sales associate, September to October 1999
- Assisted customers with selecting fabrics, notions, patterns, sewing equipment, craft kits, and home décor items
- Measured and cut fabrics
- Answered questions about sewing, craft kits, and other merchandise
- Straightened fabrics; straightened ribbons according to the ribbon planogram
- Sought ways to increase sales through merchandising and creation of displays
- Rang sales at cash register
Jo-Ann Fabrics, Hunter’s Ridge Shopping Center, Gahanna, OH 43230 (store closed)
Sales associate, September to October 1994
- Assisted customers with selecting fabrics, notions, patterns, sewing equipment, craft kits, and home décor items
- Measured and cut fabrics
- Answered questions about sewing, craft kits, and other merchandise
- Sought ways to increase sales through merchandising
- Rang sales at cash register
- Left due to a repetitive stress injury to my right arm and wrist from attaching security devices to winter coats and other clothing while employed at K-Mart as fashion accessories department manager
Leewards Craft Bazaar, 2745 Northland Plaza, E. Dublin Granville Rd., Columbus, OH 43229
Sales Associate and Class Instructor, May to December 1988 (out of business)
- Assisted with the set up of the new store, starting with meeting daily with the manager, the craft class supervisor, and a team of four others at an established store for two weeks to adjust the planograms for 5-foot long by 3-foot high sales gondolas to accommodate the gondolas for the new store that were actually 4-feet long by 6-feet high
- Assisted with the physical set up of the new store after completing the adjustment of the planograms
- Stocked and straightened merchandise in all departments
- Assisted customers with selecting materials and equipment for craft projects and supplies for art projects
- Answered questions about merchandise and craft and art projects, including some providing some demonstrations on the sales floor
- Taught and promoted craft classes in tatting, knitting, and needlepoint
- Left after becoming uncomfortable with continuing to work in the store after the office manager was framed for a theft that resulted in her firing and the firing of the store manager but not the elimination of the two employees believed to be responsible for the framing
J. C. Penney, 1721 Northland Mallway, Columbus, OH 43231
Sales Associate, Christmas 1982 (store closed, mall closed and demolished)
- Based in the children’s clothing department but served as a floating sales associate assisting in the framed art and lingerie departments
- Assisted customers with selections and rang register
J. C. Penney, 1721 Northland Mallway, Columbus, OH 43231
Sales Associate, Christmas 1980 (store closed, mall closed and demolished)
- Based in bath and bedding departments but served as a floating sales associate assisting in the small appliances department as needed
- Assisted customers with their selections, rang sales at the register, and accepted returned merchandise
Jo-Ann Fabrics, Westerville Center Shopping Center, Westerville, OH 43081
Sales Associate, July 1973 – September 1974
- Assisted with the set up of the new store
- Assisted customers with selecting fabrics, patterns, and notions
- Straightened fabric and notions
- Assisted with check-in and pricing of merchandise deliveries
- Noticed that the plaid wool fabrics on one table were not selling, even during an ongoing sale; located the coordinating solid wool fabrics from same vendor in backroom and rearranged the table, interspersing the solids with the plaids, increasing sales
- Store manager noticed the increase in sales of wools, and consequently placed me in charge of the fashion square of featured fabrics
- Was considered for assistant manager’s position, but I had registered to start classes at The Ohio State University in September 1973
- Left when, unlike the manager who opened the store, the new store manager was unwilling to work around my class schedule at The Ohio State University
Lazarus Department Store, 1649 Northland Mallway, Columbus, OH 43231
Sales Associate, Christmas, 1972 (store closed, mall closed and demolished)
- Based in the stationery department but served as a floating sales associate assisting in misses’ and men’s clothing as needed
- Assisted customers with selections and rang sales at the register
Fabric World (later, Monique Fabrics) 54 Westerville Square, Westerville, OH 43081
Sales Associate, April – June 1972
- Assisted with opening the new store
- Filled out daily sales report, counted register tills, and made bank deposit when closing the store
- Assisted customers with selecting fabrics, patterns, and notions; cut fabric; and rang sales at the register
- Assisted with check-in and pricing of delivered merchandise
- Let go when the number of sales associates hired was too high for store’s sales volume
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Inbound Phone Customer Service and Sales Experience
Honey Baked Ham, 6464 Sawmill Rd., Columbus, OH 43235 (614) 764-1717
Inbound Telephone sales, Easter 2005
- Took customer’s pre-orders for honey baked hams or honey glazed turkey breasts and side dishes
- Answered customer’s questions about the size of the ham and the amount of sides to order
- Suggested turkey breasts as an alternative for those prohibited from eating pork
- Described the taste of the turkey breasts, a new product, to customers
- Successfully sold out the entire supply of available turkey breasts for the central Ohio area
- Answered questions about picking up Easter pre-orders and about Honey Baked Ham’s menu for the onsite restaurant and catering services
SubmitOrder.com, 7611 Green Meadows Dr., Lewis Center, OH 43035 (740) 548-0258
Customer Service, September – October 1999
- Assisted the customers of SubmitOrder.com’s client companies with placing their online orders
- Provided answers regarding how the client company`s order page worked
- Entered the client company’s system to place orders for the customers if needed
- Answered customer’s questions about the client company’s products, including consulting with SubmitOrder’s client liaison and having the liaison retrieve the product from the onsite distribution center if necessary
- Answered general customer questions about ordering online, including safety concerns
Ticketmaster, 1103 Schrock Rd., Columbus, OH 43229, (614) 847-4400
Ticket agent for regional ticket sales center, July -- September 1997
- Assisted customers with their ticket orders
- Used the Ticketmaster system to answer questions about venues, location of seats, surrounding restaurants, parking areas, hotels, tour dates for performers and plays, schedules for sports teams and events, etc.
- Promoted sales of subscriptions to Ticketmaster’s Live Magazine
- Consistently among the top five agents for sales of Live Magazine subscriptions
- Selected as part of the team that worked high volume ticket sales events, ticket sales for Broadway, and overflow ticket sales beyond the territory assigned to the Midwest office
- Left when called back to work the Thanksgiving through Valentine’s season at Cheryl & Co.
Cheryl & Co., 646 McCorkle Blvd., Westerville, OH 43081, (614) 891-8822
Inbound Catalog Sales Consultant, Thanksgiving through Valentine’s Day 1996
Recalled to work foe Mother’s Day 1997
Recalled to work for Thanksgiving through Valentine’s seasons 1997 – 1998 season
- Assisted customers with placing their orders
- Answered customer’s questions about products and shipping
- Assisted customers with their selections for various gift-giving situations (co-workers, large groups, and service providers such as hair stylists and mailpersons)
- Reminded customers of sales on products
- Consistently offered up-sales and add-on sales suggestions
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Miscellaneous Work Experience
Harcourt Educational Testing Services, Graceland Shopping Center, Columbus, OH
Training Team Leader, April – May 2000
- Led a team of two scorers on the computerized scoring of the math proficiency tests administered by school systems throughout the United States
- Reviewed the tests previously scored by the team for accuracy and consistency of scoring
- Coached team members to improve their accuracy and consistency in applying scoring criteria
- Provided initial scoring of some tests in between reviews of previously scored tests
- Led team to the successful completion of first scoring project ahead of schedule
- Had one team member promoted to working independently
Charles Levy Transportation Co., 1003 Distribution Dr., Columbus, OH 43228
Magazine Merchandiser, July 1999
- Stocked the checkout lanes and magazine racks in assigned stores with new issues of magazines and pull outdated issues
Olsten Staffing Services, 87 E. Wilson Bridge Rd., Worthington, OH 43085
Customer service and clerical, December 1996 – May 1998
- Performed temporary clerical or customer service duties for Olsten client businesses
United Magazine, 770 W. Goodale, Columbus, OH
Magazine merchandiser, May - June 1997
- Stocked the checkout lanes and magazine racks in assigned stores with new issues of magazines and pull outdated issues
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Education
Currently pursuing completion of:
- AWAI’s (American Writer’s and Artist’s Institute) Writing for a Cause (Nonprofit) Program
- AWAI’s Web Writing 2.0 Program
- AWAI’s Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting
- Completed AWAI’s Smart Start Copywriting Program
The Ohio State University, 2007 – 2008
- Completed courses for a degree in strategic communication which included persuasive communication, message design, marketing channels, website design, print design, rhetoric, and business writing (unable to complete degree due to family illnesses)
The Ohio State University , B. A., psychology, 1973 -- 1977
LaSalle Extension University, interior decorating, 1969 -- 1970
Westerville (South) High School, Westerville, OH 43081 1965 – 1969
- college preparatory coursework and vocational home economics
Other Experiences
Traveled through areas of the United States and Canada on periodic motorhome trips with my family, 1978 -- 1980
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