Click here to download my Graphic Resume. 

​

WORK EXPERIENCE

Event Organizer, Owner, March 2019 – Current

I Heart Indie Markets, San Jose, CA (USA - National) 

I Heart Indie Markets is split into three main categories: helping indie makers find indie markets, helping makers build and expand their handmade, independently owned businesses and creating indie makers markets or pop-up shops that incorporate locally owned small businesses hosting makers to give more opportunities to artists to present their work, while helping local businesses gain more attention in the community. I run all three sections of this company, with my main focus being on organizing and developing events that help with community development. My planning includes research as to what neighborhoods and cities fit the model for these events best, working on city licensing and permits as needed, making contact with local area businesses and scouting venues, developing the event structure, recruiting interested artists/makers, creating an application that collects the needed information while being inclusive and respectful, coming up with marketing plans to advertise these events, designing posters and other promotional materials, and being there the day of the event to host the events and make sure all runs smoothly, all while maintaining professional and personable relationships with vendors, venues and the community.

 

Graphic Designer, Owner, November 2014 – February 2022 

No Coast Paper Co., San Jose, CA

Designed and created a cohesive brand. Designed and curated an online shop with over 250 paper products, including greeting cards, art prints, postcards, holiday boxed sets, notepads and stickers. Researched, planned and participated in various craft fairs and art shows including booth design, constructing display stands, estimating inventory needs, and handling all customer service. Developed and implemented marketing plans and projects for new and existing products. Managed and ran multiple social media platforms, all of which equal over a thousand unique followers. Built a website using a template web hosting platform. Managed an online store with nearly 6,000 sales and over 1000 five star reviews, and fulfilled wholesale orders for over 80 retail shops. 

 

Event Organizer, Owner, October 2017 – August 2019

Madison Makers Market, Madison, WI

Created the concept and organized Madison Makers Market: a craft fair and pub-crawl combined to help local Madison businesses get more foot traffic while also supplying a space for makers to sell their handmade goods. Each event varies in size and location. Organization includes scouting out venues for the event, creating an application process and contacting vendors to participate, meeting frequently with venues as needed, regularly updating the website, creating all promotional materials including print and digital promotion, and also working with various social media platforms. In December of 2018 I introduced a new aspect of Madison Makers Market, an event called Winter Wonderful, which involved creating, planning and executing seven community events in six days, which raised money for six local area nonprofits. 

 

Office Manager, Processor, Marketing Assistant, October 2012  – July 2016

Van Berg & Associates, Sacramento, CA & Brentwood, CA

Worked as the front person in an FMO/Broker office and processed applications for over 1,000 agents. Completed all processing of applications for over 20 various companies, including high stress situations such as processing during Medicare's Annual Election Period, and Covered California's Open Enrollment period. Checked applications for mistakes and made corrections as needed. Relayed issues to agents, and completed supply requests for agents as needed. Worked with other team members of the processing department to evaluate and fix issues as they arose. Answered the main line of the phone within the office which had four separate incoming lines, ran reports, and checked status on applications as needed. Used Microsoft word and Excel frequently, as well as Google Docs and Spreadsheets. Helped develop marketing strategies including eblasts, blogging, website updates, newspaper ads, and developing and scheduling various marketing "lunch and learn" events. 

 

Marketing Coordinator, July 2010 – June 2012

Tektivity, Cedar Rapids, IA

Completed all marketing literature including the newsletter, brochures, and fliers. Planned and executed company events, such as a Chamber of Commerce PM Exchange, including advertising, ordering supplies, and decorating.  Completed data entry as needed. Was in charge of social networking and email marketing campaigns.  

 

Office Assistant, August 2009 – January 2011

Grace United Methodist Church, Tiffin, IA

Wrote and designed the bi-monthly newsletter. Wrote and designed all brochures, and fliers. Helped with stuffing the weekly bulletin. Input attendance and donations data as needed. 

 

SKILLS AND CERTIFICATES

- Mac/PC with software: Microsoft office, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Indesign, Internet, Zoom and Google Professional Suite

- Strong writing and editing skills, including research

- Digital photography and editing

- Aptitude for social network marketing

- Email marketing including Constant Contact and Mailchimp

- Office equipment including multi-line phone, fax machine, printer, copier, scanner, etc. 

 

EDUCATION

August 2007 to May 2009: 

Roosevelt University, Chicago, IL.

Bachelor of Arts; Journalism

 

August 2005 – May 2007

Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, IA

Associates of Arts; General Education