Crystal Newsom

Aspiring Chief of Staff at Nowadays

About Me

I bring a proven background in operations management and building strong, strategic client relationships, which makes me a great fit for the Chief of Staff role at Nowadays. I excel in fast-moving environments and have a passion for streamlining processes, driving efficiency, and leading teams toward impactful results. My experience with problem-solving aligns well with your mission to simplify event planning. I'm excited to contribute my skills to enhance the client experience, support your growth, and help make memorable events more accessible to everyone.

Why Nowadays?

I am passionate about bringing people together and creating memorable experiences, but I know firsthand how challenging event planning can be. That's why I'm excited about the opportunity at your company, where the mission aligns with my passion for simplifying the process and making it accessible to all.

What I'll Do

Manage Strategic Client Relationships:
With experience across diverse fields—ranging from working with high-net-worth individuals during my internship to coaching publishing managers on managing author expectations, and seven years of fostering a role-model service mentality in the fast-paced service industry—I am confident in my ability to bring exceptional value to this role. I am confident in my abilities to collaborate with different stakeholders at your clients' companies on both strategic and tactical levels.
Systems Thinking:
As a relentlessly curious individual with a proven track record of process improvement and efficiency gains, I thrive in optimizing systems for better performance. At Scribe Media, I was promoted within a year to lead the reconstruction of our book launch process. I successfully increased our launch capacity by 33% annually while streamlining the team from four members down to one, significantly enhancing both efficiency and output.
Finance Ops:
I've gained a solid foundation in financial management through my roles as a financial advisor intern, restaurant manager, and my University coursework, where I handled budgeting, bookkeeping, and financial analysis. As a manager, I drove profitability through cost control and forecasting. While I bring valuable experience, I'm committed to continuous learning.

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Relevant Experience

Round-the-World Backpacking Trip

January 2024 - September 2024
Embarked on a transformative 9-month solo backpacking journey across 12 countries in Southeast Asia and Europe, developing strong adaptability, cultural awareness, and problem-solving skills.
Managed a strict budget and complex logistics for an extended period, demonstrating financial acumen, resourcefulness, and long-term planning abilities.
Worked at a hostel in Faro, Portugal, gaining valuable experience in hospitality, cross-cultural communication, and event organization, enhancing my ability to connect with diverse groups of people.

Launch Manager at Scribe Media

March 2022 - January 2024
Spearheaded initiatives to increase launch capacity by 33% annually while reducing team size from four to one, resulting in significant efficiency gains through streamlined department processes.
Achieved a 20% reduction in operational costs per author by optimizing resource allocation, eliminating non-value-added activities, automating redundant workflows, and refining promotional strategies.
Successfully managed the launches of an average of eight authors per week, overseeing the progress of over 40 authors at varying stages to ensure consistent and timely execution.
Strengthened cross-functional collaboration across publishing, author marketing, and author experience teams, enhancing the overall success rate of author launches.

Service Industry

2014 - 2021
Advanced through the food and beverage industry from hostess at a local diner to manager at a fast-paced restaurant and bartender at a high-end wine bar, demonstrating commitment and adaptability.
Cultivated strong communication and interpersonal skills, engaging effectively with customers and team members to enhance dining experiences.
Exhibited a service-oriented mentality in fast-paced settings, readily assuming various roles and responsibilities while continually seeking opportunities to learn and grow.

Financial Advisor Intern at Thrivent Financial

June 2019 - September 2019
Improved the accuracy and quality of client data through diligent management of records using Salesforce, thereby enhancing communication between financial advisors and clients.
Assisted in scheduling client meetings and processing financial transactions, ensuring efficient workflow management in a high-paced financial environment.
Supported the underwriting process, enabling timely decision-making and operational efficiency improvements.

Education and Certifications

University of California, Santa Barbara

2018 - 2020Bachelor of Arts, Economics

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

Project Management InstituteIssued Dec 2023 · Expires Dec 2026