Martha Wolford is a dynamic, solution-oriented individual with knowledge of all aspects of the jewelry/fashion business as well as the home fashion and home building industry. She created and executed the growth of an award-winning design/manufacturing firm with revenues exceeding $4,000,000, managed and directed 33 employees and developed branded and licensed products for retailers and corporations. Her skills include high level design capabilities, prototype development, researching/sourcing successful manufacturing both domestically and overseas; teambuilding; communication with vendors, employees, executives, clients and press.
TRAINING/SKILLS:
- 19+ years experience in fashion, jewelry-making and design
- 10+ years experience in home building and interior design
- 10+ years business executive and business owner
- 8+ years corporate gifts and incentives industry experience
- 8+ years experience in private branded and licensed products
- 7+ years experience in retail merchandising
- Experienced with all aspects of product development and design including initial sketches, detailed drawings, structural models, computer simulations, presentations, full-scale prototypes, packaging, display and merchandising solutions
- Knowledge of the properties of metals and stones; working knowledge of resins, plastics, injection molding, fabrics, leather, trims and fur
- Knowledge and experience with overseas sourcing, materials, fabrication processes, costing and timing including communication and interaction with vendors, manufacturers and exporters
- Market & design research experience, in-depth understanding of customer’s needs, competitive products, and ability to recognize opportunities for new product development
- Expertise in developing brand assortment and collections
- Keen knowledge of current industry trends, colors and concepts
- Ability to execute and communicate creative vision
- Ability to meet project deadlines and successfully manage multiple projects
- Experience in working with strict compliance guidelines
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Working knowledge of Windows, Internet Applications, Sugar Suite, Database Management, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop
WORK EXPERIENCE:
Managing Partner
Wolford Built Homes
Louisville, Kentucky
March 2008 to present
Design and build luxury custom homes in Louisville, KY
Owner/CEO
Blue Moon Artworks
Louisville, Kentucky
January 1998 to January 2008
Owned and managed award winning small business, which designed jewelry, ornaments, gifts, collectables, promotional products, incentives, and accessories. Handled and supervised all aspects of business, including product design, development, manufacturing, purchasing, quality control, testing, inventory control, operations, logistics, sales, customer service, fulfillment, shipping & receiving, warehousing, employee hiring and training. Attended trade shows and major gift markets in Taipei, Hong Kong, Mexico City, New York, Chicago and Atlanta. Developed cohesive branded product lines for small, mid and mass retailers, local entities, national and international corporations.
Owner/Artist
Martha B Designs
Louisville, Kentucky
January 1985 to January 1995
Began creating art jewelry in 1985 with immediate sales to major retailers including Lazarus, Bloomingdales, Famous-Barr, McAlpin’s, Bergdorf Goodman, Rich’s and Saks Fifth Avenue. Designed Ready to wear line. Secured showrooms and over saw sales during major markets in NY, Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago and LA. Designed prototypes and successfully secured manufacturing in Europe.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- Worked with multiple factories in Taiwan, Hong Kong and mainland China to develop Blue Moon Artworks product lines, which became the finest quality cloisonné jewelry in the world.
- Jewelry line represented by Fragments, NYC and featured on cover of Vogue, Europe.
- Expanded jewelry line in 1992 to include promotional products and gifts, which nearly tripled sales in one year.
- Developed ASI distributorship which gave access to working with thousands of ASI manufacturers, domestically and overseas.
- Grew business from one employee and annual sales of $19K to 33 employees and annual sales of $1,000,000 in nine years.
- Designed and manufactured the Hottie Botties™ neckwrap, successfully marketed to QVC (television mass market sales) for the Holiday Market 2005, selling 35,000 units, completed QVC Excellence Training and personally appeared on QVC.
- Developed branded products for Churchill Downs, including jewelry, fashion accessories, collectables and gift items.
- Developed branded jewelry line for The Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels. Designed medal which increased revenue $200,000.
- Created Official Products for the Kentucky Derby Festival including the first official jewelry line.
- Created the official bracelet and jewelry line for The Ryder Cup, PGA Tournament held in Louisville, Kentucky in September 2008.
- Official licensee of the Collegiate Licensing Company, developing and manufacturing jewelry and gift lines for the Ohio State University, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, Michigan and Michigan State Universities, Duke and the University of North Carolina.
- Developed branded jewelry line for Dawahares, A Kentucky based retailer with 28 stores.
- Developed private branded jewelry line for Caesar’s, gaming entity, owned by Harrah’s Entertainment.
- Created unique and artistic award solutions for numerous major national and international corporations.
- Developed and trade marked Horses On Parade ™ Jewelry and Gift Collection, Official Fan ™ Jewelry and Gift Collection, Hope For A Cure ™ Jewelry and Gift Collection.
- Successfully marketed to diverse audiences including small, mid and mass retailers in fashion and outdoor industry, collegiate markets, and corporations.
- Successfully set and reached goals, followed timelines and executed procedures.
- Kentucky Manufacturer of The Year Award Winner, Small Business, 2005.
- National Association of Women Business Owner of the Year Award, Finalist 2003, 2004.
- Greater Louisville Inc Small Business of the Year Award, Finalist 2003, 2004, 2005.
- Created the Veterans Appreciation Foundation to assist victims in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.
- Keynote speaker, Dress for Success and GLI, The Metro Chamber of Commerce
EDUCATION:
Fashion Institute of Technology
New York
August 1996 to July 1997
AA, Jewelry Design and Metalsmithing
Parsons School of Design
Paris, France
May 1995 to August 1996
AA, Fashion Illustration
University of Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky
September 1991 to January 1995
BAE, Art History
University of Florence
Florence, Italy
May 1983 to August 1983
IU Summer Program
Indiana University
Bloomington, Indiana
September 1980 to May 1982
