Experience

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  Music & arts center

  Sept 2006 - Nov 2008

  Manager

  Manage no less than 8 staff members, no less than 20 music teachers, over 600 student accounts, and day to day operations of the store. Increase revenue stream by over 13% annually, bring overall student count from 279 up to 615 at one location.

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  9fruits llc

  Sept 2007 - Jul 2014

  Brand manager

  When I met Kyle and Kevin Banks, they were running a smoothie shop focused on offering healthy, fresh fruit smoothies. Drawn in by their passion, I quickly became a customer and then part of the team, helping develop their brand and marketing strategy. We transformed 9Fruits into a Nashville staple by crafting a brand that resonated with the community's health conscious lifestyle. I revamped their logo, designed menus, and developed custom illustrated posters to give each smoothie its own personality.One of my most impactful contributions was designing the "Reap the Fruits" Rewards program, which replaced traditional punch cards with reusable smoothie sleeves that reduced waste and built customer loyalty. This program saved the shop thousands of dollars and strengthened customer retention. Thanks to these efforts, 9Fruits expanded to four locations, including spots in Nashville’s YMCA. Our marketing strategy, rooted in sustainability and community, helped 9Fruits become synonymous with healthy living and local culture. Show less

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  Turner machine co., inc.

  Mar 2009 - Mar 2012

  Marketing specialist

  Imagine entering a market dominated by fear-mongering and ominous visuals. That was the landscape for National Storm Shelters when Turner Machine Company hired me in 2009. They had a great product but no brand, no logo, and no marketing strategy.I started by crafting a logo that exuded trust and security. The next step was a bold departure from the norm: instead of the standard red, black, and yellow fear-based color palette, I chose calming blues, whites, and silvers. Our message was clear and compassionate: “We know this is a delicate and serious decision. We’re here to educate you on your options and help your family. We're here for you.”This empathetic approach resonated deeply with customers. Over the years, National Storm Shelters sold and installed over 1,200 in-ground units across Middle Tennessee. The brand I built for them in 2009 remains strong today, still using the exact logo, brand strategy, and much of the marketing language I developed. Their success story is a testament to the power of compassionate, customer-focused branding. Show less

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  Lance t. miller

  May 2011 - now

  Commercial artist / illustrator / designer / product developer

  In 2010, I launched a line of custom playing cards that set the foundation for my career. Collaborating with industry giants like Zeller+Gmelin and Kodak, I designed a set of cards for Label Expo Americas 2010. As part of my compensation, I received a portion of the decks to sell. Initially priced at $5, these cards slowly gained attention through strategic marketing, eventually selling for $200 to $300 as collectors recognized their artistry and rarity.I continued designing new decks, which sold out rapidly, with resales reaching $95 to $200 each. My efforts helped pioneer the pricing model for custom decks, now commonly selling for $14.95 to $24.95, redefining the custom playing card industry. Since then, I’ve mentored many prominent designers, helping shape the future of the custom playing card market. Show less

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  Great oaks career campuses

  Jan 2014 - now

  Advisory board member / student mentor

  I proudly serve as an advisory board member to the Digital Arts & Design program for the Diamond Oaks campus. My role is to aid in the selection of curriculum for Junior and Senior high school students that guide them toward a professional career in the graphic design and multimedia industries.I expand upon my role as a board member by creating specific training modules and then appearing before the claass, teaching the students real world, industry based practices and by empowering them to understand entreprenuerial avenues they can explore based on their own work. I work directly with the students providing motivational support, portfolio reviews, design fundamental training, mentorship, and by serving mysef as an example of what they can accomplish.Some of the students I've impacted have gone on to own their own companies or created their own product lines, while others have continued their arts education in prestigious art & design schools throughout the country and then move on to illustrious careers as creative individuals.My goal is to empower the students to understand that you can have a career in the arts, that it can be lucrative, and that they can avoid many of the pitfalls I had to navigate through early in my life. I'm passionate about illuminating young minds to their potential and revealing to them the mentality needed to discover their unique career path. Show less

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  Murphy's magic supplies

  Apr 2014 - Jun 2018

  Graphic designer / illustrator

  Murphy's Magic Supplies needed fresh, innovative designs to maintain their top position in the magic industry, and I stepped in to lead that effort. I collaborated with the VP of New Product Development, guiding product design and marketing efforts. My designs led to the successful sale of over 20,000 units and helped drive the creation of follow-up products. Notably, I designed playing card decks like "Fox Targets," "At the Table," and "Truth & Lies," which became instant hits, contributing to a total product valuation of $300,000. By researching industry trends and applying strategic insights, I helped increase sales by 25%, keeping Murphy's Magic Supplies at the forefront of the market. Show less

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  Wraith games

  Jan 2015 - now

  Art director / brand manager

  Wraith games is an indie game developer studio known for their inclusivity and accessibility based approach to game programming.My role at Wraith has been and continues to focus on the following:• Lead product development process and develop core business strategies allowing founders to focus on business growth and visibility through convention touring and networking.• Mentor junior artists and creatives teaching industry design systems and creative processes allowing the team to have a unified art style and unique art presence in the indie game industry.• Leverage management skills to lead cross-functional teams of programmers, artists, designers, and founders.• Foster key partnerships with publishers, funding sources, and distribution vendors allowing Wraith to grow their business through the years.• Contribute to conceptual development for games, and related marketing materials including, mock-ups, concept art, character creation, environment designs, and puzzle design and theory.• Enable team to take control of Social Media Marketing through creating numerous examples and templates for them to follow and learn from.• Maintain current awareness of gamer and consumer product offerings including inclusive and accessible game design trends in both the US and foreign markets. Show less

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  Lost art magic

  Mar 2016 - May 2018

  Graphic design / product designer / marketing

  Lost Art Magic had incredible potential but needed a creative force to bring their vision to life. I stepped in to turn their ideas into marketable products and help the brand find its unique voice. One of my first major projects was creating a comprehensive Brand Catalog and a visual story that captured the essence of Lost Art Magic. Every page was crafted with a focus on engaging and inspiring potential customers.Additionally, I had the honor of working on a project featured on America's Got Talent. I helped develop a magic effect performed by Eric Jones. Beyond that, I designed packaging and marketing for popular consumer magic effects like "Box," "Mirage," and "Malice," each crafted to captivate both magicians and audiences alike.Lost Art Magic gained a reputation for delivering high-quality products, thanks in part to the brand development work I led. The logos, packaging, and overall brand identity I created helped establish Lost Art Magic as a respected name in the magic community. Show less

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  Vertex international | vxd

  Jul 2017 - Mar 2020

  Senior product designer / illustration artist

  Vertex International had an innovative technology... a patented holographic ink... but needed a way to bring it to life through design. I took on the challenge of creating intricate, visually captivating playing cards that would stand out to collectors. Through strategic social media campaigns and successful Kickstarter projects, we launched the London Diffractors, raising $43,135, and the Vegas Diffractors, which earned $76,028. All 7,500 units sold quickly, resulting in a total valuation of $1,125,000. These weren’t just cards; they became coveted collectibles, setting a new standard in the industry. Show less

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  Turnkey home solutions

  Nov 2017 - May 2021

  Marketing / acquisitions manager

  At Turnkey Home Solutions, I started as an outside marketing advisor, focused on creating a “driving for dollars” system to acquire fix-and-flip properties. The investors purchased homes for $150,000, renovating and selling them for $240,000+. My role expanded to Marketing and Acquisitions Manager, where I automated lead generation via targeted mailers, vetted homeowners, performed site visits, documented renovations, and negotiated acquisitions. I managed 3-5 properties at a time, overseeing everything from construction plans with designers and contractors to creating marketing campaigns for the completed homes. I installed signage near community entrances, developed before-and-after ads, and marketed the properties post-renovation, driving successful sales. Additionally, I rebranded "Turnkey Renovations" into "Turnkey Home Solutions," building the new identity, securing domains, and launching a full marketing plan to fuel long-term growth. Show less

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  N3rd heard

  Feb 2019 - Jan 2023

  Creative director

  N3RD HEARD was a growing Twitch channel run by a husband-and-wife duo, Zyphon and Rocketgirl, who built a strong community of loyal followers. As the channel expanded, they sought to create a more recognizable brand to secure partnerships and stand out in the competitive gaming world. I stepped in to craft a strategy that combined design, community engagement, and gamer culture. Collaborating with High Score Tees, we launched merchandise that resonated with their audience, increasing monthly revenue by up to $2,500 from subscriptions and $1,500 from merch sales. This branding transformation solidified N3RD HEARD’s position in the gaming space, turning followers into a movement. Show less