Experience
At every career opportunity, I bring my knowledge as a team/operations/project manager along with my creative skillset to help the business grow as a brand visually as well as improve internal organization and operations.
As a creative artist with experience running my own business, I have a well-rounded understanding of what it takes to nurture creative talent while also keeping professionalism and a business mindset at the forefront.
Years of Experience
Creative Direction | 13 years
Team Management | 13 years
Project Management | 13 years
Makeup Artistry & Hairstyling | 15 years
Admin Coordination | 13 years
Education | 9 years
Work History
Freelance Designer & Artist | Kimiko New York 2024 to Present
Lead Hairstylist | Elite Bridal Beauty & Elite Beauty Agency 2024 to Present
Admin Coordinator | Elite Bridal Beauty 2024 to Present
Assistant Shop Manager & Hairstylist | Drybar 2021 to 2023
Financial Office Manager | Executive Tax & Financial Services 2020 to 2021
Yearbook Publication Advisor | Jostens 2017 to 2020
Arts & Communication Educator | HIDOE 2016 to 2020
Public Relations & Web Design | HIDOE 2014 to 2019
Beauty Editor | DISfunkshion Magazine 2012 to 2014
Management
After starting as an intern at DISfunkshion magazine while I was in college, within a few months I was promoted to Beauty Editor & put in charge of running & further developing the internship program. During this time, I was in charge of photoshoot production, copywriting beauty publications and managing day to day operations for the rapidly growing internship program.
As an arts & communications educator & yearbook advisor for Jostens, I managed a team of nearly 100 students to produce professionally published annuals.
Entering Executive Tax & Financial services as the office manager involved managing the office’s day to day operations, working with clients and leading the team through the fast-paced and hectic tax season. I completed an entire internal review of daily operations and re-vamped the daily organization and operating procedures.
While attending cosmetology school in 2021, I worked as a receptionist at the Drybar Roslyn salon. One year after I started working at Drybar, I graduated from school and within one month I was promoted to the shop manager position and ran my branch of the Drybar corporation.
Following reaching all of my goals at Drybar, I moved on to expand and focus on my own business doing hair for Kimiko New York while also working as an admin coordinator in charge of daily bridal operations for Elite Bridal Beauty, which manages dozens of hairstylists and makeup artists who provide luxury services to high end clientele from NYC to The Hamptons.
Creative
In addition to the management and operations roles above, I have always been able to bring my creative skillset to add to my value at every career oppportunity.
At DISfunkshion Magazine, I was a beauty interviewer & copywriter & in charge of talent acquisition & photoshoot production. I became a professionally published makeup artist, hair stylist & photographer for the first time.
Working with Jostens, I used and taught graphic design, photography & social media videography to produce three years of professionally published annuals. Here I honed my skills in high pressure environments including sports photography.
As the financial manager of Executive Tax Services, in addition to being in charge of daily operations, I was also tasked with the company’s rebranding to reboot their image & bring it up to date with their more current business goals. This involved re-doing company visuals, such as the logo design, office design, all print and electronic deliverables (letterheads, business cards, portfolios, website, etc), all leading to organizing the company’s relaunch.
Although Drybar operates as a corporate salon, it was still important to me to bring my own managing style to set my team apart. This including designing custom weekly emails and visuals for my team and for our shop’s social media.
At Elite Bridal Beauty and with my freelance business, Kimiko New York social media photography, videography and design are all required to promote our skills as stylists.
To view an example of my branding & digital design work:
Beauty
Starting when I was 16 years old, from the very first friend who asked me to do her hair and makeup for senior prom, my artistry business and skillset has grown over the past 15 years.
At the Drybar salon I balanced managing daily operations with styling hair for 30+ clients a week.
In my current venture with Elite Bridal Beauty, while working on daily operations from the agency standpoint, I also work as a Lead Hairstylist doing hair for luxury clients ranging from Upstate New York to NYC to The Hamptons & Montauk.
In addition to working with Elite, I also do luxury freelance hair through my own business: Kimiko New York.
To view my hair portfolio & contact info, please visit:
Soft Skills
In addition to spending years developing my professional and creative skills, my soft skills are what truly set me apart. Dedication to maintaining professionalism & providing a healthy work environment for my colleagues and clients is as important to me as the deliverables that I produce. My strongest characteristics are maintaining a positive personality, being reliable, organized, dedicated, easy to work with & being a team player. I work well under pressure to meet strict deadlines & pay close attention to detail.
Professional Skills
Team Management
Project Management
Education
Admin Coordination
Creative Skills
Graphic Design - using Adobe Creative Suite
Photography
Videography
Production
Hairstyling
Makeup artistry
