Retail jobs, although a great move for Samuels, are unstable, requiring Samuels to seek employment within the business sector as a retail manager. Rising quickly within each company, Samuels soon established herself as a retail management catalyst, quickly turning struggling retail locations into high revenue-earning stores.
In August 1995, Samuels relocated from Flint, MI to Phoenix, AZ and promptly resumed her career in retail management as a 3rd keyholder for local retailer Stuart's. Withing 90days, Samuels was promoted to Assistant Store Manager and enjoyed several years before company downsizing forced the doors to close at many Stuart's locations across the country.
Seeking something different, Samuels accepted a position as a box office clerk and dressing room runner at a local live entertainment venue, the Celebrity Theatre, before moving on to a box office manager's position at The Herberger Theater in downtown Phoenix. Samuels remained with Herberger until she was offered a position in floor sales at Macy's. Her reemergence into retail abruptly turned into an exclusive position with Ralph Lauren petites within Macy's, where she remained in the top ten of overall sales for close to a year.
Samuels left Macy's after deciding to stay home and spend more time with her daughter. That lasted for a year before Samuels returned once again to retail as a part-time cashier at Big Lots! This position quickly went from part-time to full-time to Customer Sales Supervisor to Associate Store Manager where Samuels remained for 4yrs. Catching the attention of another retail company, Samuels accepted a job as Assistant Store Manager with retail giant AVENUE. Samuels once again dominated sales figures as well as new accounts for a year before an accident forced her to leave the company.
Once able to accept employment, Samuels was hired as an Assistant Store Manager for Beauty Brands Spa & Salon Superstore. After 60 days, Samuels was promoted to Location Manager, where her location dominated district and sometimes regional sales. The company quickly assigned Samuels the position of traveling manager, a position created for her in order to travel to other retail stores to assist in turning retail sales around.
A workplace injury forced Samuels into intensive months-long physical therapy. During this rehabilitation, Samuels decided to return to college and soon enrolled at Gateway Community College to realize her dream of becoming a journalist.
Acrobat Version of Resume here.