Light Santa Barbara LLC DBA Light + Home, Santa Barbara CA
Owner and Founder, October 2016 – present
Opened a full service 1,000 square foot lighting store in Downtown Santa Barbara within a 14,000 square foot flooring showroom, Andros Floor Design. Designed the store and managed its construction. Chose a variety of lighting, controls, and accessory lines to fit the Santa Barbara market.
William George Consulting, Santa Barbara CA, Los Angeles CA, Boston MA
Estate Manager / Project Consultant, October 2011 – August 2016
Lead Consultant for the renovation of the screening room at Greystone Mansion, Beverly Hills.
Butler for a family at their new Malibu residence designed by Tadao Ando: managed housekeeping staff, assigned duties, and created standards; orchestrated luncheons for 12 – 90 guests from concept to execution; staged Malibu home for publication and Aspen home for potential sale; designed and installed Senior Lounge at the Marlborough School for Principal’s daughter; creatively set tables using multiple service sets; created flower arrangements; set up buffets; created inventory systems; managed wine collection; served family meals.
Special Design Projects Consultant for a family at their Santa Barbara main residence designed by George Washington Smith and 4 other residences: unpacked family heirlooms; designed and installed decorative pieces; created inventory spreadsheets and systems for the care of fine art, antiques, and collectibles; established vendor contracts saving 20% on all future purchases.
Estate Manager for a couple at the Brody House and Saladino Villa: managed a staff of 9 and multiple vendors; retrained housekeeping staff to meet the very specific needs of the Principal.
Estate Manager for a family at their 25 acre Beverly Hills residence and 3 others: managed contractors and subcontractors for the renovation and decoration of a 14,000 square foot entertainment building; negotiated contracts saving over $30,000; inspected details of all work to ensure the highest level of finish; protected the project and principal’s interests during and after a jobsite fire; wrote progress reports and maintenance manuals; created inventories for art, antiques, and wine; orchestrated the harvest of their 5 acre vineyard and the production of wine.
Project Manager for a gentleman for the design, renovation, decoration, and rental of his Hancock Park residence: interacted with designers and builders making suggestions in the client’s best interest; managed change orders ensuring the budget was met; managed the necessary modifications to the design in light of unforeseen issues while maintaining the designer’s original vision; staged home for photography; managed the rental process.
Special Events Manager for a gentleman at his Hollywood Hills residence: orchestrated charity events for 100-300 guests; upgraded the guest experience from previous events; trained and managed volunteers; orchestrated transportation to their remote residence.
Butler/Valet/Bartender for the groom’s party for the Kutcher-Kunis wedding.
Event Manager for the Museum of California Design’s annual gala: redesigned event to improve guest experience and revenue; hired caterer and designed menu; hired and trained servers and bartenders; created a signature cocktail using sponsored liquor.
Business Consultant for the new owners of James Joseph Salon on all aspects of customer service and business management including employee training, marketing, business systems, and public relations, including the opening of a new salon at the W Hotel Boston.
James Joseph Salon, Boston MA
Owner and Founder, April 1997 – October 2011
Founded a luxury salon on Newbury Street, the most competitive salon market in North America doing $439,134 its first year and $5,387,577 in2008 growing 22% – 58% nine out of the first ten years. Established a nationally known brand that received over 50 regional and national awards; featured in Vogue, Elle, Allure, InStyle and over 100 other regional and national articles and television including Ambush Makeover on Fox, Made on MTV and The Makeover Story on TLC. Created effective advertising campaigns by directing photographers, videographers, graphic designers, models, fashion stylists, and hair and makeup artists for campaigns in print, radio, and television. Networked with members of the fashion community, business owners, editors, and radio and television personalities for the purposes of public relations and brand promotion. Developed departmental training manuals and internal (basic and advanced) stylist training programs that were featured in multiple trade magazines. Hired and managed employees at all levels; established goals and incentives, tracked progress, gave employee reviews. Performed Human Resources tasks including benefits research, implementation, and facilitation. Performed book keeping responsibilities while managing Profit and Loss. Managed the design and construction or renovation of three salons.
James Joseph Studio, Boston MA
Owner and Founder, July 2005 – October 2011
Founded an affordable luxury brand to market to a broader audience and capitalize of the name recognition of James Joseph Salon. Created print, radio, television, and internet marketing campaigns that brought in up to 8,495 new clients in one year. Managed the design and construction of a second location in Medford, MA that opened in October 2007.
James Joseph Products, Boston MA
Owner, Founder and Product Developer, March 2010 – December 2012
Researched organic and chemical ingredients to develop a design concept that guided production. Researched multiple manufacturing houses and interviewed chemists and fragrance designers. Managed product and fragrance testing, approved packaging and sourcing, listed barcode. Worked with attorneys to create an LLC and register a trademark. Researched and contracted with a fulfillment center and developed a mercantile website. Manufactured a shampoo and conditioner named Balance by James Joseph that were featured in People magazine, on Glamour.com, Self.com and in numerous Boston publications.
EDUCATION and CERTIFICATES
Bachelor of Art, Art History and Psychology, 1989 – Tufts University, Medford, MA
Honors: Cum Laude; Coursework in Philosophy/Aesthetics and Fine Arts
Member of the American Lighting Association, 2016 – present
Member of the Santa Barbara Contractors Association, 2016 – present
Certificate in Household Management, 2013 – Charles MacPherson Academy, Toronto, ON, Canada
Honors: Superior
Sommelier, Level I Certification, 2013 – Court of Master Sommeliers, Las Vegas, NV
Crestron Interior Design Partner Certification, 2013 – Crestron, Los Angeles, CA
CPR, First Aid, and AED Certified, 2013 – Heart and Stroke Foundation, Toronto, ON, Canada
Certificate in Cosmetology, 2002 – Learning Institute of Beauty Science, Boston, MA
Coursework in Interior Design, 1997 – Mount Ida College, Newton, MA
OTHER EXPERIENCE
Private Service, January 2012 – August 2016
Staff training, household manual writing and implementation, wardrobe styling, wine tastings, and special event coordination.
Advisory Board Member, StyleWeek Northeast, Providence, RI, January 2010 – July 2012
Advised founder on event structure and strategic partnerships to market and grow multiple regional fashion weeks.
Editorial and Social Photographer, Stuff Magazine, Boston, MA, December 1999 – March 2004
Attended and photographed three to four charity or promotional events per week as the sole photographer for the “Party Pics” page ranging from $1,000 per plate dinners to restaurant and nightclub openings. Photographed various subjects for editorial articles.
Real Estate Agent, The Tremont Company, Boston, MA
Worked with commercial and residential clients in a historic Boston neighborhood. Additionally, purchased, renovated, and resold 5 residential properties.
Lighting Salesman and Designer, Wolfer’s Lighting, Allston, MA
Designed lighting plans and sold lighting solutions to consumers and architects.
CAD Technician, Ivan Bereznicki Associates, Cambridge MA
Created a 3 Dimensional animated tour of a custom design for a 5,000 square foot house in Little Compton, RI.
Retail Salesman, Number 5, Provincetown MA
Sold premium menswear and accessories. Lines included Adolpho Dominguez, CP Company, and Paul Smith.
Service and Banquet Bartender, Bostonian Hotel, Boston MA
Room Service Cashier, Bostonian Hotel, Boston MA
Performed various duties in a luxury hotel located at Faneuil Hall Marketplace.
Teaching Assistant – to Professor Bill Burke in Advanced Photography, Tufts University, Medford MA
Assisted professor from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts during photography lectures and lab classes at Tufts University. Assisted students in darkroom procedures outside of the classroom.
Assistant Camp Counselor, Camp Laurel Springs, Santa Barbara CA
Assisted photography instructor of an art and performing arts camp owned by Jane Fonda. Taught photography classes and dark room procedures. Installed multiple gallery shows. Campers included Angelina Jolie and Sam Gould.
SPEAKING and TEACHING ENGAGEMENTS
America’s Beauty Show, Chicago IL
Featured Speaker and Panelist – Salon Business Success, An Owner’s Forum, 2010
Created a 10 minute presentation on Branding and Team Building then fielded questions on various salon business issues.
Proctor and Gamble Salon Professional Business SWAT Team, Saginaw MI
Consultant – Avenue Hair Studio and Spa, 2010
Consulted on a team of 4 salon industry leaders as part of an award won by a salon in Saginaw, MI.
Tufts University Experimental College, Medford MA
Instructor – Cult Films
Developed syllabus and course structure for a fall semester class for entering freshman, including coaching in aesthetic analysis, scene break down, and shot by shot analysis.
SELECTED AWARDS
100 Best Dressed Bostonians, Boston Globe’s Fashion Boston magazine
Most Likely to Spawn a National Chain, Stuff magazine
Best Salon Experience, Improper Bostonian magazine