George Kousoulis

Saint George was founded as a candle and fragrance company specializing in candles, diffusers, body products and homeware. The brand was developed from a passion for fragrance and has expanded nationally with distribution to 20 retail partners across Australia. With over 10 years of experience as an independent business owner, I have developed the necessary skills to cultivate relationships with various suppliers and customers, setting financial and growth objectives using diligent discipline to achieve goals.

As the company's Director, my responsibilities include,

• Design and product development, brand management, sales, social media marketing, and content creation to promote our product lines through wholesale and direct-to-consumer channels.
• I conceptualise new designs and collections.
• I also communicate with retailers and consumers to understand their needs while strengthening partnerships.
• I am proficient in Microsoft Office, Adobe's design software suite, Xero accounting software, and Shopify e-commerce platform.
• Additionally, I ensure custom projects are delivered on time and on budget by sourcing materials from suppliers across Europe and Asia.

Gypsy Rose Bazaar is a premium boutique offering unique and luxury gift and homewares both in-store and online.

As the proprietor's trusted associate since inception, I have played an integral role in establishing Gypsy Rose Bazaar.

• I expertly processed transactions while delivering exceptional customer service. All client inquiries, complaints, and returns were handled professionally to ensure a positive experience.
• Through building strong customer relationships and providing top-tier service, I increased sales.
• Additionally, I developed and maintained a fully-operational online store while overseeing social media accounts.
• Other responsibilities included visual merchandising, inventory management, and fulfilment of online orders.

The Little Legs Foundation was established in 2017 in honour of Alegra, a young girl who lost her battle with brain cancer. After meeting with founder Sue-Ellan, I felt compelled to contribute my time and skills to help expand the Foundation's reach and continue supporting its efforts to raise funds for research seeking a cure for Childhood brain cancer.

To date, the Foundation has raised $2 million in funding.

Through my involvement, I have gained a thorough understanding of the Foundation's mission and values, which has allowed me to effectively communicate its work and help spread awareness of its important cause.

• I designed and developed a line of custom candles sold as merchandise, with all proceeds benefiting the Little Legs Foundation. In collaboration with Saint George, over 4,000 products have been sold to date.
• I also assisted with conceptualising and planning special fundraising events and programs, developing brochures, apparel, promotional material and installations.
• Furthermore, I designed and implemented an online store to market merchandise and provide information on past and present events.

For over 10 years, I gained extensive retail experience working in the fashion industry. I began my career as a Sales Associate for Miranda and DFO Homebush, where I was responsible for providing exceptional customer service and ensuring a positive shopping experience. Through demonstrating strong product knowledge and an engaging sales approach, I consistently exceeded sales targets and developed a loyal customer base that fuelled repeat business and referrals.

Soon after, I was promoted to Store Manager.

I take pride in delivering an engaging shopping experience that keeps customers coming back while ensuring business goals are achieved.

• I managed day-to-day operations and was accountable for achieving weekly and monthly financial targets.
• Through meticulous inventory management and creative merchandising strategies, I optimised sales performance and maintained top-performing stores in New South Wales.
• I participated in training initiatives to enhance employees' skills in areas such as product expertise, sales techniques, and customer service.
• With a proven track record of driving results through leadership, I am well-equipped to contribute value to any team environment.