Career Summary

Study Auckland NZ Feb 2023 - Present	Study Break After running my own small business for over a decade and before rejoining the workforce as a full-time employee, I dedicated time to upgrading my skills for a successful career transition. During this period, I progressed in my Bachelor's degree and earned several nanodegrees and certifications.
Designers Candy Auckland NZ Aug 2011 - Feb 2023	Owner/Manager ■ Market Establishment: Successfully established New Zealand as a market for multiple international luxury interior product brands, enhancing market presence and expanding into diverse projects, including high-end residential, commercial, hotels, resorts, and superyachts. ■ Client and Supplier Network: Developed a comprehensive client database and built strong relationships with over 20 international brands, introducing them to the New Zealand market. Maintained a robust network of clients and suppliers domestically and globally. ■ Showroom Management: Managed a 300sqm interior design showroom, organizing product presentations and industry functions that enhanced brand visibility and client engagement. Led all aspects of showroom operations, including visual merchandising and staff management. ■ Business Operations: Oversaw all aspects of business operations, ensuring financial management, legal compliance, and efficient logistics. Handled import/export operations, warehouse management, sales and marketing, and government compliance. ■ Project Management: Worked on projects in New Zealand, Australia, and Fiji, providing furniture and fittings for large developments and superyachts. Collaborated closely with interior designers and private clients to develop innovative decor concepts and custom products. ■ Sales and Marketing: Created proposals, quotes, and tender documentation. Generated sales and forecasting reports to inform strategic decision-making. Orchestrated media and online marketing initiatives, planned and executed supplier roadshows, showroom events, client presentations, product launches, and trade shows. ■ CRM and Software Implementation: Implemented effective CRM and business management software, optimizing operational efficiency and client relationship management. Negotiated with factories to manage product runs and oversee order management processes. ■ Quality Control: Maintained quality control measures to ensure superior product standards. Sourced and procured specialty items from local and international markets, ensuring high-quality offerings. ■ Superyacht Services: Directly engaged with superyacht owners and chief stewards, providing interior outfitting services and ensuring client satisfaction. ■ Staff Management: Recruited and trained staff members, ensuring their professional development and maintaining high standards of service and product knowledge.
Haus Candy Melbourne Australia May 2010 - June 2011	Sales Rep/Business Development Manager Established Victoria as a new sales territory for Boyd Blue, successfully building a new client base and introducing innovative product ranges. Collaborated closely with Interior Designers and private clients to create distinctive decor concepts and custom products. Sourced and procured specialty items from local and international markets, showcasing strong negotiation skills. Managed order management processes and ensured rigorous product quality control to maintain exceptional standards.
Home Duties Melbourne Australia Sept 2004 - May 2010	Primary Carer Took on the important role of being a primary caregiver and dedicated time to starting a family.
Corrs Chambers Westgarth Melbourne Australia Mar 2003 - Sep 2004	IT Trainer & IT Help Desk In my role as an IT Trainer and Help Desk Support Specialist at Corrs Chambers Westgarth, I delivered internal staff training in Microsoft Office programs and in-house customised legal software, while also providing software support on the IT help desk.
Independent Travel Dec 2002 - Mar 2003	USA, Australia & New Zealand Took a planned personal leave during the transition of relocating from New York to Melbourne to get married.
United Nations OCHA - Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs New York, USA May 2000 - Dec 2002	Lotus Notes Administrator & IT Help Desk I provided support to both local and international offices, ensuring smooth operations and system functionality. My responsibilities included the installation and maintenance of Lotus Notes. Additionally, I offered comprehensive help desk support, promptly addressing user inquiries and troubleshooting technical issues to minimize downtime and maximize productivity.
Waterfields SARL Paris, France Dec 1999 - April 2000	Interior Designer & Space Planner As a Junior Interior Designer and Space Planner at Waterfields SARL, I was responsible site documentation, maintaining working drawings and ensuring their accuracy, while also updating and incorporating daily design changes and project documentation.
Waterfields Design & Build London, UK Jan 1999 - Dec 1999	Interior Designer & Space Planner Proficiently prepared site processes and consent documentation, ensuring compliance with regulations. Collaborated with a team to create compelling initial and developmental design presentations, as well as accurate working drawings. Played a key role in the selection of FF&E schedule to enhance project outcomes.
Heart to Heart Consulting Ltd London, UK April 1998 - Jan 1999	Various Contract roles while on OE Chase Manhattan Space Planner - 3 month Temporary Contract Drew space occupancy plans for retail environments across multiple European branches. Developed effective layouts to optimize space utilization and enhance customer experience. Credit Suisse Event Planner - 3 month Temporary Contract Assisted with the planning and preparation of the annual conference. Managed various tasks such as booking travel and accommodation for attendees, coordinating gift pack preparations, confirming attendee participation, and overseeing venue preparation details. Demonstrated strong organizational and multitasking abilities to ensure a seamless and successful event experience for all participants. Intercontinental Mayfair Event Planner - 3 month Temporary Contract Assisted with wedding and conference bookings for the hotel, from initial inquiries to final arrangements and collaborating with internal teams to deliver the events.
Independent Travel Jan 1998 - April 1998	Africa Embarked on an independent travel adventure from South Africa to Kenya, exploring diverse cultures and destinations along the way. Developed strong adaptability and resourcefulness while navigating various countries and immersing in unique experiences.
Gillian Russell Interiors Brisbane, Australia Sep 1996 - Dec 1997	Junior Interior Designer Proficiently completed manual drafting of working drawings and 3D gouache perspectives, while providing valuable assistance in FF&E selections and procurement process for various Hotels & Resorts on the Gold Coast.
John Croft Interiors Brisbane, Australia April 1994 - Sept 1996	Junior Interior Designer/Intern Provided valuable support in showroom visual merchandising and client installations, ensuring appealing and captivating displays. Utilized manual drafting skills to create detailed cabinetry designs for kitchens and bathrooms. Actively engaged in project sourcing of furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) to meet project requirements and enhance design concepts.

"The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary." Vince Lombardi