Graphic design & marketing are my passions.
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BIO
I was born to create.
Graphic design & marketing are my passions.
I have always been a creator, since the day I could first hold a crayon. My artistic and professional journeys have converged and led me to develop a distinct passion for graphic design and marketing. Blending my natural talents with the self-taught skills I have honed as a business owner, I can take a concept from imagination to full execution with both innovative design and strategy.
I am also passionate about working with nonprofits, having worked with hundreds of nonprofits on their fundraising initiatives and CRM needs, both as an account executive for Blackbaud and as an independent freelancer. My skills include website design, online fundraising implementation, CRM data management, and print and digital advertising.
Over the past two-and-a-half years, I have created my own company and begun producing my own marketing materials, gaining a deep understanding of ecommerce and social media marketing. I found a unique niche that I love within the vintage toy community, and I began restoring and selling high-quality items with an emphasis on presentation and the buying experience. I grew my Etsy shop to over 1,700 sales and 750+ five-star average reviews, with customers raving about the packaging and the quality and care that went into the items they purchased. I soon developed an accessory kit, which is still a hit amongst collectors, and I created a second online storefront through Shopify where I had much greater control over the customer experience. I launched several social media campaigns to drive traffic, with one successful campaign increasing sales by over 75% in the first quarter of 2024. I still love what I do, but my love for graphic design and marketing makes me eager to embark on a new career path and put my talents to work for others. I am also a proud wife, mother, and military veteran. I served in Operation Enduring Freedom during 2003 - 2005 and was in the Army National Guard from 2000 - 2008. I was lucky enough to be able to care for my now 8-year-old son full-time until he went to school. Prior to becoming a mom, I spent 15 years in both the nonprofit and sales worlds, first as an executive with a nonprofit agency, and then later in a sales and account management role, strategizing with clients to help boost their fundraising and online presence.
Technical Skills Proficiency
EXPERTISE
Graphic Design
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Branding and visual communication
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Digital illustration for print and web
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Creative project management content
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Visualization and execution
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Brand refresh and transformation
E-commerce & Marketing
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Online store establishment and management via Etsy, Shopify, Wix, or similar platforms
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Integrations with external reporting software such as Zoho, Craftybase, etc.
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Branded print-on-demand catalog with custom-designed items
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Strategic marketing campaigns including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Google
Nonprofits & Fundraising
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Online fundraising integration
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Website design and management
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Branded print-on-demand catalog and online store with custom-designed items
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CRM management
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Event marketing
Education
Kelly School of Business
Indiana University at Indianapolis
BA Business Management, 2003
Concentration in Nonprofit Management
WORK HISTORY
2015-2022
2022 - 2024
Marketing and Fundraising Coordinator
Angel's Acres Farm Animal Sanctuary
May 2024 - Present
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Established online presence including a new website and social media channels, incorporating online fundraising integration, and an ecommerce store featuring custom print-on-demand products
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Strategized and carried out visually enticing social engagement campaigns to amplify community visibility and increase online donations and event attendance
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Enabled onsite gift shop with a POS system for sales and donations
Small Business Owner
DMS Retail, LLC
September 2022 - Present
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Spearheaded online sales growth by creating compelling Instagram ads and Shopify landing pages, leading to a 75% increase in website traffic and sales
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Designed and aunched a successful accessory kit that established a prominent brand in the vintage toy niche
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Expanded Etsy shop to over 1,700 sales and 750+ five-star avg. reviews through exceptional customer service and innovative packaging and buying experiences
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Develop innovative graphic designs for print-on-demand products, leveraging trend analysis and niche market insights to drive targeted appeal
Freelance Marketing Assistant
Brad Bowden Advertising Agency
Feb 2022 - Apr 2023
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Executed weekly tracking of advertising campaigns, cross referencing many databases and maintaining a high level of accuracy in all data
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Created monthly and quarterly marketing campaign financial results for company leadership
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Coordinated with advertising executives to input new campaign orders and ensure timely collection of results reporting
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Assisted with talent scouting for commercial projects.
2007-2015
2003 - 2007
Five collapsed
PROJECTS
PROJECT 1
Dolly Magic (DMS Retail, LLC)
2022-2024
Brand Identity
Dolly Magic specializes in the vintage toy niche with a focus on toy restoration. The brand icon reflects this and is incorporated into the logo lettering for a fun look that stands out and is easily recognizable.
Product Design
I developed a unique accessory product after identifying a gap in the market. The product is specific to vintage Strawberry Shortcake dolls, which have a large resale market amongst vintage toy collectors. The DIY Scent Kit provides the missing ingredient that in most cases has faded away completely. The scent of the dolls is a key nostalgia trigger, and this product became a hit within the community over the past two years. I designed all the product packaging and inserts as well as the product itself.
After the initial success of the DIY Scent Kit, I created new products to reach additional potential customers who did not own the dolls but wanted to experience the scents. Two new kits were introduced incorporating air diffusers that can be used with the fragrances.
E-commerce Design
Dolly Magic initially launched solely as an Etsy shop. Once the brand had been established and gained popularity, I created a Shopify store to allow for a customized shopping experience and to provide more flexibility in the product offerings, as well as dedicated sections for tutorials and other offerings.
Social Media
Once Dolly Magic was established on both Etsy and Shopify, I expanded the marketing efforts to social media channels including Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, using targeted paid ads as well as organic posts. Below are some samples of campaigns and sales ads that helped increase website traffic and sales up to 75%.
PROJECT 2
Angel's Acres Farm Animal Santuary
2024
Brand Identity
I recently worked with a local nonprofit animal sanctuary to create a thoughtful and approachable brand identity for use online and for printed materials, including a new logo. We agreed on a two-color scheme for the logo, incorporating angel wings and a whimsical feel for the accompanying graphics which, feature colorful representations of the sanctuary residents.
Web Design
I established am online presence to increase brand awareness and expand fundraising capabilities. I designed the website to be desktop and mobile friendly, and it features online giving, events, a targeted campaign page with team fundraising, and an online store with custom print-on-demand products.
Print-on-Demand Designs
I produced several designs that can be used on a wide variety of print-on-demand products such as stickers, t-shirts, totes, and more. This gave the client an additional avenue for fundraising. We also ordered several products with these designs to sell in person at the on-site gift shop.
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PROJECT 3
Notorious Threads (DMS Retail, LLC)
2024
Brand Identity
Notorious Threads is a new e-commerce store offering a variety of high-quality designs on print-on-demand items. The brand icon is colorful and stylish, reflecting one of the signature design series, “Life is Ruff: Get Unleashed”.
Social Media Introduction
Product Design & Styling
For any new shop in a marketplace like Etsy, standing out is the name of the game. Custom professional mockups give the shopper a real-life vision of what they are purchasing, and help establish the brand look and feel. I am currently experimenting with a wider variety of styles to see what works the best for this new endeavor.
