Valerie Jarstad

About Valerie Jarstad

My career journey reflects my personal ethos: commitment to creating positive change…

Experience

1. Senior Sales Specialist

   REI

   Apr 2015 — Present · Denver, CO, US

   Sales and Goal Achievement:Consistently meet and exceed sales targets through effective product recommendations and upselling. Consistently ranked as top outfitter in my departments. Collaborate with and coach the sales team to develop strategies for achieving individual and team sales goals. I have trained more than 200 new hires and transfers. Through in store classes, create environment for customers to learn about and purchase products for outdoor recreating. I have presented to several hundred customers on topics ranging from cross country skiing to cycling. At the corporate level, hosted several highly rated YouTube videos on bike selection. These videos have received more than views and have a 100%\"thumbs up\" rating. Product Knowledge:Act as a subject matter expert on a specific product category or multiple categories. I have coordinated dozens of trainings and clinics with our vendors. I have also sought out local companies for targeted local buys to diversify our product line and increase sales. Train and mentor junior sales staff to enhance their product knowledge and customer interaction skills.Team Collaboration:Provided vendor support and helped organize \"Kids\' Co-op\", an event that brought approximately attendees and generated 300 membership sales in less than 4 hours, more than doubling the previous event. Coordinated multiple customer facing events, driving store attendance and sales. Received the Anderson Award which recognizes excelling at the REI Co-Op’s core values. This is a peer nominated award given to fewer than 1% of REI staff (approximately employees).Provide support and assistance to team members, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.

Education

• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  M.S.

• University of Colorado at Denver

  Business Law

• Lake Forest College

  B.S.

Skills

• Curriculum Design
• Management
• Wellness Coaching
• Operations Management
• Employee Benefits
• Fitness
• Sports
• Strategic Planning
• Marketing Management
• Team Leadership
• Proposal Writing
• Human Resource Development
• Fitness Training
• Training Delivery
• Corporate Communications
• Operations Research
• Coaching
• Nutrition
• Strategic Communications
• Operant Conditioning
• Strategic Human Resources Leadership
• Wellness
• Project Management
• Exercise Physiology
• Entrepreneurship
• Lifestyle
• Holistic Health
• Lifestyle Coaching
• Training
• Strength Training
• Marketing
• Personal Training
• Project Planning
• Communication Training
• Instructor-Led Training
• Leadership