Sharon M.

Piscalko
2939 Creekwood Estates Drive
Blacklick, Ohio 43004
H: 614-855-9341
C: 440-221-2945
E: spiscalko@gmail.com
www.linkedin.com/in/sharonpiscalko
"As an asset, I am able to look at issues strategically and offer
achievements in project management. I am skilled in developing and
managing goals to meet objectives."
Business Development Skills ~ Management Strengths
* Project Lifecycle Management
* Merchandising/Promotion
* Major Account/National Sales
* Client Relationship Management
* Profit & Loss Management
* Contract Review/Recommendation
* Staff Development
* Vendor Negotiations
* New Market Identification
* Client Needs Analysis
* Solution Selling
* Cost Review

Professional Experience
Sharon Piscalko Interiors ... Cleveland & Columbus, Ohio
1995 to Present
Privately owned and operated startup providing interior design
expertise to high-end clients within small commercial and large
residential arena; coveralls all facets of interior design from
architectural review to build/renovations of entire homes or
additions, and kitchen and bath design.
General Manager
Orchestrate and carryout operations including business development,
project lifecycle management, financial management and bookkeeping;
ultimately accountable for company operating budget and overall
project/loss administration; design functions include client needs
analysis, contract development and negotiation, vendor contact and
negotiations, project planning, budgeting and execution, and follow-
up issue resolution.
* Launched and built company with reputation for quality and
precision in services provided; secured business with over 100
clients including top line executives at extremely large retail
organizations, financial institutions, design organizations, and
education institutions.
- Increased business 50% through follow up and customer service
securing repeat business with business increased additional 50%
through continuous referrals from previous clients.
 - Led company to recognition as visual example of fine design
expertise with high degree of satisfaction from clients through
features in Cleveland Home Interiors (magazine), The Lake County News
Herald, Builder Edition, and Northern Ohio Live (magazine).
* Generated $1.2 million in profit over 5 years through
participation as "chair person" for non-profit Lake County's YMCA
"Dreamhouse"; negotiated with building trades and vendors (including
GE) to improve costs and donations and maintain budget within
parameters; launched and finished project within 4.5-month timeframe
requiring vigilant oversight of multiple vendors simultaneously.
* Served as trustee for Coalition of Interior Designers (CIDLO)
collaborating with State Senate and House of Representatives
legislators to facilitate movement of bill benefiting both designers
and public at large; contributed to grassroots campaign and committed
significant time to secure sponsors and funding needed for lobbyist;
bill approved by House of Representatives and currently resides in
Senate.
* Expanded market presence through contribution and participation
in business entrepreneur networking groups; strategically positioned
company as community leader and generated significant advertising
presence at virtually no cost.
* Contributed to area talent development through introduction of
internship program for area schools with curriculum coinciding with
company scope; included company availability to mentor students from
same curricula.
* Ensured company growth and profitability through effective
management of operating expenses; included continuous education
maintaining up to date knowledge of design trends and business
technologies.
- Contained operating costs through implementation of sample
policy/procedure (addressing borrowing and returning samples to
showrooms versus purchasing samples utilized once).
* Enhanced operations and significantly reduced expenses through
installation of QuickBooks Pro and preparation of templates in both
QuickBooks and Excel; enabled streamlining of bookkeeping and project
coordination with solutions utilized by all company staff.
Notable Projects
* Renovation of 10-year old home for executive of international
retail organization: Implemented sales solutions, presentations and
vendor negotiations and secured $250,000 contract renovating project
ultimately completed on time and $25,000 under budget.
- With solution selling in place, increased scope of project at 10
times over original contract amount ($25, 000) and increased property
market value from $2 million to $2.5 million (representing 25% gain
on-site for owner). Modifications included safety-oriented add-ons
put in place due to safety issues missed by licensed inspector.
* 2008 Creative Director/Project Manager for CD Jacket Cover
(Church of the Resurrection, New Albany, Ohio):
 - Organized and coordinated cover design; secured volunteered
services of 2 professional photographers, graphic designer, and
copyrighter; music CD sold 1,500 copies and generated 200% profit
providing ministry additional funds for future commitments.
* 2008 Interior Design Consultant for New Rectory (Church of the
Resurrection, New Albany, Ohio):
- Liaised between Columbus Catholic Diocese, church budget
committee, and builder as well as ministers residing in living
quarters; reviewed blueprints and contracts, assisted with product
selections (consistent with ADA compliance), and negotiated with
budget committee and diocese to secure additional funds to continue
with project modifications.

Williams Sonoma ... Columbus, Ohio 2009, 2010

Premier specialty retailer of high-end home furnishings and gourmet
cookware in United States; operates over 250 stores, direct mail
business (distributing million of catalogs annually) and e-commerce
site.
Sales Associate
Brought in during prime selling season and contributed to retail
floor operations including sales and customer service, cashiering,
merchandising, stocking and floor resets, and overall issue
resolution; assisted with training of new hires.
* Continuously met and exceeded sales quota as set by corporate
office; utilized selling solutions to increase single sales to
multiples of 3 or more per transaction (performed 75% of time on
floor); selected (1 of 5 out of 40 sales associates) by management to
return during next prime season.
* Member of select team appointed to tear down previous visual
displays and construct new visual displays based on illustrations and
written instructions (provided by corporate office); ensured displays
constructed on time and with complete accuracy.

Nordstrom ... Cleveland & Columbus, Ohio 2003, 2005

Specialty high-end retailer operating 169 stores in 28 states;
employs 55,000 retail and operations associates.
Sales Associate
Circulated Studio 121 (Cleveland) and St. John's (Cleveland)
departments assisting customers with product selection (via solution
selling), contributing to merchandising restocks and assisting with
floor resets; included customer assistance with product alterations.
* Consistently exceeded sales quotas and performed amongst Top 5
sales associates at both locations (surpassing performance of core
staff).
* Delivered excellent customer service and follow-up with
development and maintenance of "Personal Book;" surpassed
expectations of book content monitored by supervisor and corporate
office.

Ethan Allen Home Interiors ... Mentor, Ohio 2001 to 2002

Furniture chain with almost 300 design centers nationwide and sales
of $980 million; operates 6 manufacturing facilities including 2
sawmills, 6 wholesale distribution centers, 29 retail service centers
and 1 hotel.
Senior Design Consultant
Functioned in virtually autonomous entrepreneurial role carrying out
designer functions; included client management, project
presentations, product ordering and follow up, visual merchandising,
client marketing, new staff training and floor sets of design center
(sales hub) utilized by entire staff.
* Performed in Top 5% of entire district sales force and generated
$1 million in sales (2001); increased clientele through effective
marketing of "Brand Me" sales tool as well as strategic and creative
selling combined with communication of company promotions
(introducing new lines and innovative marketing and financing tools).
* Recognized for high volume of sales and invited to corporate
sponsored national charity banquet; selected as 1 of 2 designers on
staff.
* Enhanced productivity through use of new staff to support on-site
jobs; simultaneously provided ability to mentor associates, train
staff on company procedures, and instill company principles
encouraging motivation and continued teamwork.
* Secured approval from corporate to move on 2001 "Dream House"
Master Suite; created guidelines, negotiated contract between company
and YMCA, and established overall budget; company selected as only
major corporation to participate in community effort annually;
results showcased in both newspapers and on television.
- Facility accessed by general public and led to significant
increase in sales referrals with new and previous customers inquiring
about design services; ultimately exceeded corporate expectations of
bigger sales with improved margins.

Early Career History

The Mulberry Bush ... Perry, Ohio
Staff Designer/Store Manager (1992 - 1996)
Kay Homes ... Concord Township, Ohio
Cost/Estimator (1991 - 1992)

Education
Ursuline College ... Pepper Pike, Ohio
B.A., Interior Design and Historic Preservation (summa cum laude)
Career Recognition
Presidential Citation for Distinguished Service to ASID Ohio
South/Kentucky Chapter, 2005
Presidential Citation for Distinguished Service to ASID Ohio North
Chapter, 2004
Presidential Citation for Distinguished Service to ASID Ohio North
Chapter, 2003
Chair for CEU - ASID Ohio North Chapter, 2002 ~ Published, Cleveland
Home Interiors, ASID Designer, 2001
Published, The News Herald, Lake County Kay Homes, Builder Edition,
2001
Published, December issue, Northern Ohio Live, Fine Dining Rooms,
December 2000
Participant in ASID Ohio North Chapter Strategic Planning, 1999

Keywords:
Project Manager, Merchandise Coordinator, Sales Representative,
Brand Manager