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Expert Profile

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Martin Olive

Pronouns:

He/Him

Availability:

Available

Full-time

Position Type:

Chicago

Illinois

United States of America

Years in the field:

20 – 25 Years

Areas of Expertise

After-School Programs, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion + Access, Events, Exhibits development, Marketing & Communications, Senior Leadership, Operations, Project Management, Rentals/Sales, Strategic Planning, Other

  1. WORK EXPERIENCE
  2. Freelance Retail Strategy Consultant April 2019-Present
  3. Working with non-for profits and corporations starting retail facilities.
  4. Coach, train and mentor new staff
  5. Create selling environments
  6. Handle purchasing and logistics
  7. Marketing and social media techniques
  8. Pivoting to a new standard of online and socially distanced selling techniques.
  9. Training and receiving positive results in equity, diversity and inclusion.
  11. Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago April 2016-March 2019
  12. Associate Director of Retail Operations
  13. Interim Director of Retail Experience Dec 2017-July 2018
  14. Working with the Director of Retail, oversee the financial operation of all store locations, including detailed sales analysis, expense planning, and expense and inventory control.
  15. Supervise retail and shipping/receiving operations to ensure an organized, efficient operation. Provide direction for store management, warehouse and sales staff including the following areas:  understanding sales goals, product knowledge, customer service, effective selling techniques, loss prevention, policies and procedures. Ensure that all retail sites meet visual presentation and merchandising standards and goals. Work with Director of Retail to develop short term and long-range goals in alignment with the Museum’s overall strategic plan. Hire, train, motivate and evaluate staff performance.  Handled all Logistics of the top attended exhibition in Museum history, Takashi Murakami, created and initiated print sales grossing over $3M in 4 months.
  16. Live Grit Feb 2014-2016
  17. 1010 W Monroe St
  18. Chicago, IL 60607
  19. Director of Community Outreach/General Manager
  20. Manage a team of 8 sales and operations in a high-end location specializing in elite cycling bikes ranging from $1500-$25,000.
  21. Responsible for the product and window displays.
  22. Created, Managed customer service policies and procedures.
  23. Assist in developing a customer loyalty plan.
  24. Created excel programs to track sales and individual sales goals.
  25. Developing an event plan and schedule.
  27. Christofle Silver INC Dec 2008-July 2012
  28. 900 N Michigan Ave.
  29. Chicago, IL 60611
  30. Director
  31. Responsible for the overall appearance of the boutique and achieving profitability.
  32. Recruit, coach and review team to achieve excellence in client service and product knowledge.
  33. Outreach to numerous charities within the community.
  34. Increased sales by 15% over the course of 2 years.
  35. Created and implemented a corporate gifting program.
  36. Responsible for ordering product, training of history, and mechanics of product, and inventory control.
  38. Swiss Fine Timing Oct 2007- Dec 2008
  39. 600 N Michigan Ave
  40. Chicago, IL 60611
  41. Lead Sales Keyholder
  42. Represented and sold some of the most exclusive luxury watch brands in the United States.
  43. Consistent top producer every month, yearly sales in excess of 1M
  44. Brands included: Breguet, IWC, Vacheron Constantin, Richard Mille, and Audemar Piquet.
  45. Attended various events and exhibitions to further elevate and educate myself on timepieces.
  47. Premiere Collection Fine Art Nov 2005-Sept 2008
  48. 520 N Michigan Ave
  49. Chicago, IL  60611
  50. Executive Director
  51. Created a luxury high-end gallery.
  52. Generated business through special events held monthly.
  53. Contracted and had the exclusive of over 10 painters and sculptures.
  54. Worked within different and diverse communities for benefits.
  55. Generated profits of $250,000.00 first year.
  56. Successfully worked with private and public companies as to place monumental sculptures.
  57. Curate gallery shows every month to the public and private audiences. Constantly working with concierges, media and PR firms.
  59. Billy Hork Galleries June 1993-Nov 2005
  60. 3033 N Clark Street
  61. Chicago, IL 60657
  62. 109 E Oak St
  63. Chicago, IL 60610
  64. Executive Director of Sales and Training
  65. Multi- level position encompassing sales and training for 4 retail galleries (2 in Chicago, 2 in Northern Suburbs)
  66. Responsibilities include: Sales, setting and achieving goals, ongoing training, organizing exhibitions and gallery events, customer service, profit and loss margins and liaison between gallery and the CEO of the company.  Supervised a staff of over 15 employees.
  67. Increased sales and productivity by 25% my first year and over 4O% my second, making it the highest profit margin in over 25 years.
  68. Have knowledge and working experience in all facets of company, including:  Marketing, wholesaling,
  69. Was influential in bringing contemporary, art to gallery; Warhol, Haring, Wesselman, Wegman, to name a few.
  71. Martin Lawrence Galleries
  72. 700 N Michigan Ave Nov 1988-May 1993
  73. Chicago, IL 60611
  74. Director
  75. Responsibilities included: Management, sales, customer service, computer and sales training of new employees, opening and closing duties, gallery maintenance, and bookkeeping.
  76. Promoted from art consultant to Associate Director.
  77. Promoted to Director of new gallery in Old Orchard Mall, which included set up and design of gallery, hiring and training new employees, organizing events and auctions, and setting and achieving sales goals.
  78. Ranked in top 10% for sales nationally out of 21 galleries
  79. Recognized corporately for outstanding motivational techniques.
  81. Special Fields of Interest and Awards:
  82. Humanitarian Award               Illinois Masonic Hospital    1999
  83. Voted #1 Gallery Director Chicago      TCW Magazine         2003
  86. Attended and exhibited:  ArtExpo NY, Art Basel.  Maison & Objet Paris, Fashion Week: Paris, New York
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