Abby Holland
Aspiring Sales Specialist
Hello and welcome to my site! As an aspiring sales and customer support professional, I am pleased to welcome you to learn a little bit about my life through this page.
I invite you to look into my previous projects and experiences that have grown me academically and personally.
About Me
I have always loved being apart of something that is bigger than myself. I desire to use my skills in leadership, customer service, management, and communication to make a positive impact in the business world. Hard work and continuous perseverance are two of the most important qualities I strive to attain. Most of all, I believe in the importance of serving people with humility, hard work, and diligence.
Profeciencies
Serving Diverse Populations
Leading People
Through my extensive involvement in the foster system and healthcare industry, I've gained exceptional communication skills that have helped me serve people of diverse backgrounds, religions, races, and ages. My work includes guiding young adults transitioning from juvenile detention towards choices that enrich their lives and communities. It also has included assisting patients Passionate about aiding others, these experiences have empowered me to make meaningful contributions to those I serve.
Through my various leadership positions such as co-president of Biola Professional Women’s Society, vice president of Hands Helping Hands, and my time spent as a Sunday school assistant and Bible study leaders, I have gained skills in leading people with humility, grace, and efficiency. I have also lead a down-line of Beautycounter consultants by motivating them to meet their goals and increase their revenue. All of these experiences, have taught me the importance of servant leadership and never asking someone do something I wouldn’t willingly do myself.
Cross-cultural Experience
Growing up, I have been on mission/service trips to Africa, South America, The Middle East, and San Francisco's Tenderloin district. These immersive experiences have cultivated my ability to authentically engage with diverse cultures and communities distinct from my own. Equipped with cultural and religious training, I've become an effective aid in serving these communities. These journeys have illuminated the beauty and rich diversity present across various demographics, fostering profound insights into the human experience apart form my own.
Problem-Solving
My education has provided me with many opportunities that have grown my ability to think strategically and problem solve. Through various projects which you can find here on my website, I have learned to work with people as we navigate complex issues and seek to find solutions. I have taken part in various projects where I have needed to help companies improve their strategic opportunity within the market and industry. I have also helped small businesses improve their markeying strategies and product prototypes through creative, innovative, and future focused thinking
Intermediate Technical Skills:
- Canva Design & Power Point
- Excel
- Adobe Acrobat
- NexGen Healthcare Systems
Work Experience
I've worked with
Eye Health Northwest
BeautyCounter
Biola University
Olive Crest
Projects
Strategic Management Columbia Sportswear
Company Analysis
Trader Joe’s
This project taught me how to work with a group of people who are very different than me. I learned how to think strategically about real-life business decisions by studying the markets, money, competitors, and customer demand within the marketplace. For this project, my team and I did a deep dive into Columbia Sportswear by doing a detailed internal and external analysis of the company and how they are performing compared to its competitors. We spent the entire semester researching the company and using our data to consult the company by recommending changes that would increase its revenue and market share.
For this project, my team and I did an internal analysis of Trader Joe’s and learned about what they do well and what they could do better to remain competitive. I was a core leader in my group and spearheaded a lot of the direction of this project. It was a great opportunity to exercise effective leadership techniques by staying humble, motivational, and diligent in my work. Through this project, my team and I developed innovative and practical ways that Trader Joe’s could improve amongst their competitors and remain a leader in the industry.
Design Thinking
Project
One Minute Manager
Project
This project taught me a lot about problem-solving and collaboration. My team and I were tasked with developing a better system for the dining facilities at our university. We conducted over 40 surveys and interviewed Biola students to find the main issues of concern. Based on the surveys, we concluded that the main issues revolved around the hours of the dining facilities and eateries, as well as the variety of food provided for students. Based on our research and Biola’s long-time relationship with alumni donors, we proposed a new dining facility service and adjustments to what is currently being provided.
My team and I were tasked to give our class a lecture about effective management and how to lead from a place of both authority and humility. We focused on discussing the importance of clear and concise communication, as well as giving constructive feedback. As a manager within any organization, it is important to set clear expectations and standards. One way of doing this is by caring about the development of your employees and giving them feedback in order to help them become better at their jobs and deliver results. I throughly enjoyed teaching the class on this subject because it grew my presentation skills.
Leadership
Foster Kid Mentor - Olive Crest
One thing to know about me is that I am passionate about working with kids! I have always had a heart for kids and enjoy forming connections with children from all kinds of backgrounds and upbringings. My time volunteering at Olive Crest has been incredibly enriching, allowing me to cultivate meaningful relationships with foster children who have faced significant challenges and adversity. Immersing myself in their world has been an eye-opening and humbling experience, one that has taught me invaluable lessons about compassion, empathy, and servant leadership.
Co-president of Biola Professional Women’s Society
When I was asked to step into this position of leadership at Biola, I had no idea what it would be like to lead others effectively. I quickly learned through my failures and realized that it takes direct communication, constant check-ins, and humility to lead well. I got to lead a team of amazing women who each took part in the operations of this club. Delegating tasks was one of the most important aspects of leading this club and helping it run as smoothly as possible. I found so much joy in putting on events for Biola students to attend, where they would be poured into by business professionals. I enjoyed speaking at these events and creating a place for women at Biola to step into their gifts and learn about the importance of using their time wisely in college.
Bible Study Leader
After my freshman year of college, I decided to start a Bible study for a group of girls who were struggling to find community. These girls went to three different schools and were made up of 7th and 8th graders. Not all of them knew each other, so it was up to me to build trust and create an environment where they felt safe and comfortable sharing with each other. Through this Bible study, I learned the importance of leading by example and being vulnerable myself so that they felt safe enough to do the same. I never wanted to ask these girls to do something I wouldn’t do myself. Through this leadership experience, I grew in my own confidence and helped these young women grow in theirs as well.
Sales Consultant
As a Beautycounter consultant, I got to serve over 35 clients by helping them with their skincare needs and goals. I also got to manage a down-line team of seven women who sold Beautycounter under me. I had the priveledge of helping these team members, by being their point of contact if questions ever arose. I loved my time as a sales consultant because I learned valuable lessons in leadership, conflict resolution, customer service, and self-management.