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Entrepreneurial Backbone

Over the past two decades, I have cultivated a dynamic career spanning six industries and numerous disciplines, with a consistent track record of excellence in process optimization and project management. My approach blends creative, right-brain innovation with analytical, left-brain problem-solving, enabling me to deliver impactful and effective results.

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My professional journey began in the fast-paced music industry, before pivoting to land management in response to a family health challenge. Since then, I have gained valuable experience in start-up e-commerce, international business development for a humanitarian organization, and, more recently, operations and client service roles within the accreditation and service sectors. Throughout these varied roles, I have maintained an entrepreneurial spirit and a strong commitment to my core values.

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For the past 13 years, my work has had a significant international dimension, with engagements across Africa, China, and India, in addition to extensive domestic experience. Email is my primary mode of communication, and I employ a formal, clear writing style to ensure my messages are universally understood. By systematically organizing thousands of emails each year into relevant project and process workflows, I uphold a strict zero-inbox policy, ensuring efficiency and clarity in all my communications.
 

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SaaS efficient:

G-Suite

Microsoft Office

Quickbase

Insightly

Infusionsoft (Keap)

Zoho Books

Quickbooks

ADP RUN

Asana

Basecamp

Trello

Wordpress

Squarespace

Wix

Shopify

Mailchimp

Constant Contact

Google Adwords and Analytics

Facebook Marketing

ShippingEasy

Tundra

Pirate Ship

Stamps.com

Shipstation

Breadcrumb

Square

Gradient

Demonstrated success in operations, project management, business development, and sales across diverse and challenging sectors, including for-profit enterprises, early-stage social impact ventures, film production, music industry start-ups, accreditation, land management, and the service industry. A versatile and fast-learning team member, proactive in driving execution and achieving organizational goals, while remaining responsive to evolving company needs. Highly organized and creative, with strong multitasking abilities and a collaborative approach to cross-functional teamwork.

Experience

Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE)

Vice President of Operations and Program Services

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February 2018 -

Present

MACTE is the international standard setting and accrediting body for Montessori teacher education. MACTE was granted initial recognition by the U.S. Department of Education in 1995.

 

  • Manage the monetary and procedural obligations between MACTE and its domestic and international constituency. This includes extensive daily communication, timely execution, and handling of problem solving situations.

  • Consult on database and design functionality, including process and contact management, while actively streamlining execution management.

  • Field all general inquiry and prospective program communications.

  • Manage shipping protocols and systems.

  • Provide a reliable point of contact for members of the constituency.

    • "You are so efficient and helpful! Thank you so much!" – Wendy Di, Beijing Heart & Mind Montessori Teacher Education Center (China)​

    • "Thank you very much, Jay, for always being so kind, helpful and reliable!" – Aleksandra Zarosa, Waterpark Montessori International (Norway)

    • "Thank you for always being there for GMC." – Abraham Ojunkanmbi, Greensprings Montessori Centre (Nigeria)

    • "So nice you are always so on top of things Jay. Thanks so much!" – Mary Cusack, Montessori Educational Programs International (Indiana)

Seals Business Solutions

Small Business Consultant & Service Provider

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October 2017 - Present

Consulting, Contract, and Freelance professional with cross functional capability through a variety of industries: Retail, Service, Event, and Education. Sample of current and past clients and services:

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  • FIREFLY Restaurant + Bar – Manage bookkeeping, payroll, accounts payable, labor tracking, financial data tracking and reporting.

  • Rethreads Consignment Shop – Digital Marketing and Administration services.

  • AquaFloat Wellness Center – Website and Digital Marketing services.

  • Tree Tech Tree Service – Website and Digital Marketing services.

  • The Artist Farm – Contact and Database services.

  • High Tor Gear Exchange – Contact management services.

MadiDrop Public Benefit Company

Sales and Marketing Operations Manager

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December 2015 -

October 2017

MadiDrop Public Benefit Company was an early-stage start-up who manufactured and distributed the MadiDrop; a new humanitarian product for safe drinking water needs in international low resource communities. The business closed due to disagreements between the CEO and stakeholders, which caused road blocks for receiving next round of funding.

 

  • Through international and domestic-based humanitarian/disaster-relief clients, bolstered sales from zero to maintaining sales lead through company’s run. This represented 3,120,000 million liters of safe drinking water across 41 countries.

  • Penetrated new domestic market (emergency preparedness) by establishing reseller program and ecommerce platforms, representing a 25% growth in sales.

  • Managed social media channels, including content creation and digital campaigns. Built audience from 276 to 53,956 over the course of a year.

  • Worked with in-country representatives in Peru, Nigeria, and Tanzania in preliminary stages of obtaining governmental certificates and endorsements.

  • Contributed to copywriting for website content, product documents, and editing of company correspondences. Managed the latest rebranding of the website and marketing collateral. Produced a multitude of marketing videos.

  • Established and administered the company’s CRM and additional mailing-list program.

  • Managed invoicing/accounts receivable, and shipping logistics to international/domestic locations.

Lite Pro Gear

Sales and Marketing Operations Manager

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December 2012 - November 2015

Lite Pro Gear is a start-up selling ultralight, durable camera support gear designed for the action-oriented mobile cinematographer and small footprint production companies.

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  • Facilitated a 285% growth of monthly sales over the course of 1.5 years through management of the entire sales’ cycle, from market research to account management.

  • Managed Google Adwords, Facebook, and automated email campaigns, contributing a 45% growth in sales.

  • Created website, social media, and newsletter content. Contributed to copywriting needs, such as product descriptions and brand promotion.

  • Established and administered the company’s CRM and additional mailing-list program.

Music Industry, Misc.

Business Owner, Manager, Musician

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April 2003 - September 2015

2003 – 2010: National-touring musical act, performing over 1,000 shows from Hawaii to New York City. Recorded 3 full-length albums.

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  • Established and nurtured the vision enabling the company to grow from a mere hobby to a 7 year venture.

  • Cold contacted clients/talent buyers and cultivated relationships. At other times, acted as liaison between band and manager, agent, publicist, and road crew. Handled logistics of daily operations.

  • Managed publicity, including press releases, media interviews, and radio play.

  • Wrote and arranged original music, and then produced and performed in team setting.

 

2011 – 2015: California-touring musical act was designed to create revenue through regional tours and digital sales. The method to profit was through low overhead, and brand building based on leveraging previous notoriety of each member.

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  • Grew revenue by 323% a year from onset to the end.

  • Managed sales, digital distribution, and account payables and receivables.

  • Managed branding, promotion, website, and social media management.

  • Wrote, produced, and performed original music in a team environment.

California Tahoe Conservancy

Conservation Technician

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April 2010 -

December 2012

The California Tahoe Conservancy was established in 1984 to restore and sustain a balance between the natural and the human environment and between public and private uses at Lake Tahoe. For family medical reasons, I needed to deviate from the music industry in order to stay close to home.

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  • Lot Inspector (2011 – 2012): Responsible for biannual inspection and documentation of management issues on 5,000 properties owned by the Conservancy. Established parcel driven database (a first for the agency). Enhanced the efficiency of how position was performed, reducing the role from 2 people to 1. Wrote and assembled the agency instructional manual for the position.

  • Crew Leader (2010): Managed a 5-person crew responsible for hazard tree removal and fuel reduction projects. Set the program record for most projects completed in one season. Coordinated day-to-day operations and the scheduling of jobs, as well as working daily in the field with crew members.

Education

The Ohio State University

Bachelor of Science, Family Resource Management, Specialty in Finance

Lake Tahoe Community College

Associate of Arts, Music

 

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