Targo, Simone Resume

1. Simone Targo
1039 N. Northwest Hwy, B3 312.493.1973
Park Ridge, IL 60068 simonetargo@gmail.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonetargo
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT/OFFICE MANAGER
Deep Management Experience • Customer Service • Organization • Design • Creativity • Attention to
Detail • Establishing Office Workflow Solutions for Improved Efficiency & Ambience for over 20 years
● Natural talent to keep things running smoothly by supervising and taking on additional responsibilities
● An unwavering commitment to customer service. Listen attentively, solve problems creatively, and use tact
and diplomacy to find common ground and achieve win-win outcomes
● Specialize in office organization, maintaining computer systems, files, databases and reporting systems.
● Ensures all internal procedures are followed and/or revised to improve workflow efficiency
● Collaborate with team as participative manager to plan and execute special projects
● Motivate and inspire others to identify and reach goals by coaching and training when needed
● Strong verbal, written, interpersonal and relationship building skills
● Computer Skills: Microsoft Office, QuickBooks, Excel, Outlook, FrontPage Web Design Software, Icovia
Space Planning Software, Roxio Photo Suite, LogMeIn, Google Drive, Google Calendar, Google Sheets,
ProSystem FX Tax Suite, Yearli Tax Report Software, Dymo Label Maker, E-File Cabinet, TPS Time and
Billing Software, Social Media Savvy, Type 90WPM.
● Commissioned Illinois Notary Public until January 12, 2021
EXPERIENCE
Katz LLC - Chicago, IL – Office Manager 2015 – 2018
CPA Firm
♦ QuickBooks Accounting: Utilizing Quickbooks for Katz LLC Accounting as well as Accounting for
several clients. Bank Reconciliations, Profit & Loss Reports, Balance Sheets, Journal Entries and all
aspects of proper bookkeeping.
♦ Time & Billing: Utilizing TPS Time & Billing Software to track time and billing with accountant specific
features, manage and optimize cash flow with WIP and AR analysis. Create invoices and keep track of
client payments.
♦ Create 1099’s and W2's: Utilizing ProFX and Yearli software to create 1099’s, 1096’s, W-2’s and W-3’s
for clients.
♦ General Office Duties: Open and close office with an alarm system. Answer phones, file, keep track of
supplies and ordering, greet clients, electronically file documents into the E-File system on the server,
create file labels and mailing labels with Dymo Computerized Label Maker.
Malelo, Inc. - Chicago, IL – Office and Accounting Manager 2013 – 2015
Wholesaler of Audio/Visual, Data Storage, Photo Supplies since 1950
♦ Maintain Accounts Payable and Receivable by utilizing QuickBooks and Access in receiving,
processing, verifying, and reconciling invoices. Process incoming payments by check and credit card.
Pay vendors by monitoring discount opportunities; verify federal ID numbers; Schedule and prepare
checks; resolve purchase order, contract, invoice, or payment discrepancies and documentation; insure
credit for outstanding memos; issue stop-payments or purchase order amendments.
♦ Maintain Office Services by organizing office operations and procedures; Prepare payroll; Control
correspondence; Design filing systems; Review and approve supply requisitions; Assign and monitor
clerical functions.
♦ Organize Office: by maintaining cleanliness and efficiency in workflow procedures, establishes filing
systems and organization of office supplies/equipment.

2. Nordstrom - Skokie, IL - Commissioned Sales Associate, Lingerie 2011 – 2013
Department Store Providing High End Clothing, Shoes and Accessories with Top Notch Customer Service
♦ Provided excellent customer service by assessing customer’s needs and providing the proper
bra fit. Also sold shape wear, loungewear and sleepwear. Completed paperwork for insurance
claims for prosthesis and mastectomy bras. Created loyal customer following by making sure
they felt cared about and taken care of.
♦ Created Rewards Relationships: Top in the department for opening credit/debit cards.
♦ Performed Opening and Closing Duties including balancing cash drawers, stocking
merchandise and supplies, floor set-ups and keeping track of sales numbers.
♦ Called and/or Emailed Customers to notify them of merchandise that they might be interested in.
Maintained a “Personal Book” on customer’s interests and purchase history.
Aligned Inside - Chicago, IL - Owner/Director 2009 – 2013
Provider of services to improve work & home environments for personal efficiency, effectiveness & comfort
♦ Planned Home & Office Space in accordance with Feng Shui principles: Created positive
energy flow and improved efficiency of space operations.
♦ Home & office de-cluttering:Identified client’s lifestyle, tastes and goals; supported client through
process of winnowing, reorganizing, rearranging and setting up organized filing systems.
♦ Refurbish/Repurpose/Faux Finish: Old/Antique Furniture, either owned by client or found items.
Also created furniture pieces from various objects.
The Ark Thrift Shop - Chicago, IL - Store Manager 2008 - 2009
Not-for-profit store offering used clothing, furniture, appliances, books, recordings, antiques & collectibles;
proceeds benefited low-income Jewish families
♦ Reorganization, revitalization & turnaround of a 15,000-sq.ft., thrift store: Established departments
and re-merchandised entire store; sized 5,000 clothing items; categorized and indexed 10,000 books; re-
priced items, including antiques, artwork, furniture and collectibles.
♦ Financial management: Increased first quarter sales by 10%; Established standard accounting
procedures and introduced cash control system; managed G/L, A/P, A/R and payroll; ensured all
sales goals and payroll targets were achieved.
♦ Day-to-day operations management: Established operational procedures for receiving, tagging and
displaying merchandise; set performance standards and goals; created an Employee Handbook.
♦ Staff training & development: Hired, supervised and evaluated an Assistant Manager, 14 Sales
Associates & 4 Drivers; provided training and coaching in merchandising, sales and customer
service.
♦ E-marketing, Social Media & E-commerce initiatives: Developed an e-mail distribution list; created
MySpace and FaceBook pages to advertise store promotions; sold designer furniture and jewelry via
online auction sites. Netted $8,000 from a silent auction of donated artwork and sculptures.
Torrid Plus Sizes – Gurnee, IL - Store Manager 2006 – 2007
National, mall-based, fashion-forward retail chain; division of Hot Topic
♦ P&L responsibility: Managed marketing and day-to-day store operations to meet corporate budgets
for sales and payroll. Made sure store maintained financial goals and proper time management for
staff.
♦ Marketing & promotions: Organized in-store events that increase store traffic and sales; created
successful advertising collateral for online, in-store and mall distribution.
♦ Operations management (staff of 8-11): Hired, trained, scheduled and directed staff in all receiving,
planogram merchandising, sales and customer service functions.
Blockbuster Video – Palatine, IL - Store Manager 2005
Retail and online distributor of videos, DVD’s and video game rentals
♦ Sequential turnaround of three failing stores: Increased sales and profits by developing successful
teams of 7-10 employees at each store, re-organizing store planogram to company standards.

3. Walter E. Smithe - Schaumburg, IL - Designer 2004
Manufacturer of custom furniture with 13 showrooms in Greater Chicago & NW Indiana
♦ Design consultation & sales to a diverse client base: Identified client needs and preferences;
visited homes to measure, took photographs, designed floor plans and suggested furnishing and
accessories solutions.
Serendipitys/ Accents Studio - Chicago, IL - Owner/Manager 1992 - 2004
Independent retailer of artist-designed jewelry, gifts, accessories & collectibles
♦ P&L responsibility for upscale boutique: Developed concept and directed all staffing, buying,
marketing, merchandising, sales and accounting functions. Managed all financial reports and
budgets. Hired, trained, disciplined, mentored and terminated employees.
♦ Development of a loyal clientele: Built a database of 2500 clients; generated sales through print
advertising, direct mailings and email newsletters; organized successful in-store trunk shows and
artist appearances.
♦ Orchestrated an artist signing event resulting in a $30,000 profit: Developed the event in
conjunction with the Rosemont Collectibles Show.
♦ E-commerce: Created and operated an online retail store; successfully sold collectibles on eBay.
Certifications
2011 Illinois Real Estate Leasing Agent License – Chicago, IL
2011 Feng Shui Design Certification - Sheffield School of Interior Design - New York, NY
2010 Empowerment Life Coach Certification - The Empowerment Institute - Rhinebeck, NY
2010 Reiki Level II Certification (Usui System) - Joyous Journeys - Santa Fe, NM
2010 Reiki Level I Certification (Usui System) - Equilibrium Energy & Education - Chicago, IL
2010 Home Staging Certification - Haverhill Institute of Staging & Design - Toronto, Canada