Barbara J. Balzano

(516) 528 1669

Creative luxury hospitality and retail professional with expertise in marketing, branding, social media management, and team leadership.  Proven history of generating revenue by meeting and exceeding business goals and employing strategic marketing techniques.  Strong entrepreneurial skills supporting growth and sustainability within startups, new businesses, and established brands.  Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.

Key holder/Wardrobe Specialist

St. John Knits, Manhasset, New York

December 2017 ~ Present

·         Luxury retail sales for upscale ladies collection.

·         Key holder responsibilities within Manhasset, Long Island location.

·         Building business within a business for growth and cultivating appointment driven environment.

·         Daily reach out with emails, wardrobes, phone calls and text messages.

·         Provide exceptional customer service along with luxury knowledge to upscale North shore clientele of Long Island’s Gold Coast.

Keyholder/Supervisor

Brooks Brothers Fleece /Red Fleece Collections

September 2015 – June 2017

·         Catalyze smooth operations by assisting with day to day functions, including store opening, /closing, customer service, financial transactions, and problem solving.

·         Oversee Red Fleece collection ensuring consistent supply and effective merchandising.

Front Desk Receptionist/Social Media Communications Coordinator

Old Westbury Golf & Country Club, Old Westbury, NY

March 2015 ~ August 2015

·         Handled busy front desk area while supporting dining room, Accounting, Executive Assistant.

·         Promoted golf and country club as Social Media Communications Coordinator, updating Facebook page and website daily while simultaneously coordinating promotional collateral.

Director of Marketing

J. Michaels Tuscan Steakhouse, Northport, NY

September 2012 ~ November 2014

·         Strengthened branding initiatives at upscale restaurant by managing marketing, advertising, and social media. Expanded brand awareness by utilizing local grassroots marketing campaigns.

·         Managed and updated dynamic company website that included changing menus and restaurant information.  Expanded e-mail list daily through in-store capture and external list acquisition.

Consultant/Sales Manager

Various Companies, Long Island, Flat Iron District, New York

August 2007 ~ July 2011

·         Opened bedding store for designer Ann Gish, creating sales, operations, stock, POS, and inventory processes.

·         Built upscale wine and liquor boutique from group up for Figaro’s Wine and Liquor, overseeing buying, staffing wine tasting, advertising, grass root marketing, merchandising, general management, and P&L.

·         Boosted sales at Fifth Avenue, Madison Avenue and Soho Domenico Vacca stores by directing Men’s and Women’s clothing departments for importer of fine, Italian-made apparel.

Store Manager

Anne Fontaine, Manhasset, NY

July 2006 ~ July 2007

·         Met profitability goals by overseeing management, brand recognition, team leadership, and customer service.

·         Drove sales by 5% by utilizing grassroots marketing techniques to increase brand awareness.

·         Facilitated communication among management by traveling to Normandy, France for management meeting.

Women’s /Children’s Department Manager

Polo Ralph Lauren, Manhasset, NY

May 2003 ~ June 2006

·         Enhanced employee morale and customer service while driving revenue growth for $5.2M Women’s Department and $2M Children’s Department focused on sale of luxury items.

·         Led team of 16 associates across two departments to succeed in competitive sales environment.

·         Grew Women’s and Children’s Department sales 5% and 10% respectively by participating in seasonal buys, coordinating seasonal trunk shows, and organizing in store events.

·         Established atmosphere of exceptional customer service by hiring/ training and quickly solving problems.

Social Sales Manager

The Inn at Fox Hollow, Woodbury, NY

October 2001 ~ January 2003

·         Enabled startup by collaborating with General Manager to design marketing plans, coordinate new sales office, and initiate/manage social sales program for 145-room luxury inn.

·         Acted as Manager on Duty for hotel in General Manager’s absence.

·         Coordinated brunches, dinners and hospitality room functions. Managed all social inquiries and sales for @ 90% of hotel business.

Executive Assistant/Office Manager ~ Product Development ~ Creative Services

Boom!, LLC/Gryphon Development, New York, NY

·         Assisted President/CEO Limited Too/Abercrombie & Fitch divisions. Assisted in handling the legal, financial & management aspects of the purchase/startup of boom! business.

·         Handled all department executive administrative functions.  Coordinated the development, print production of boom! Business plan and companies move to new location.

·         Implemented and maintained business office services, payroll service, healthcare/dental and retirement programs.  Handled office management, corporate travel and human resource functions.

Education

BS in Marketing, Specialty in Fashion Related Industries, Fashion Institute of Technology, New York City

Additional Information

PC Skills ~ extensive knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Power point, Open Table Applications.

Excellent References Furnished Upon Request