Clarks Auto / Blue Star Works

Marketing and Director of Operations

After applying my expertise to larger, segment-specific businesses, I decided to focus on the small business side of the market. I immediately developed a detailed marketing plan to adapt my large-scale business knowledge for maximum impact in this new context. However, as I began the marketing work, it became clear that another critical area of the business—inventory management—required urgent attention. The inventory system had been neglected for some time and needed a complete overhaul.

As a small business often requires wearing multiple hats, I stepped in to lead this effort. I spearheaded the project and directed a team to bring the inventory back on track. Within two weeks, we corrected and properly organized half of the inventory based on usage patterns. Additionally, I manually added another third of the on-hand products into the system. Once the inventory was fully updated, I implemented an automated reordering and workflow process to prevent future issues and ensure long-term efficiency.

Clarks Auto needed assistance in reaching the customers who needed their services most. Their existing marketing tactics were outdated and ineffective. Leveraging my established relationships with industry partners and optimizing their current services, I introduced a more personalized approach to engage both previous and potential new customers. By revamping website usability, enhancing SEO, and simplifying the process for customers to schedule services, I increased website traffic by 75% year-over-year. Additionally, the average revenue per order (RO) grew by 31% as a result of these improvements.

I also took charge of all graphic design tasks, creating everything from physical mailers and print ads to original website artwork and digital marketing assets. To further enhance customer engagement, I utilized email and SMS marketing for newsletters, promotions, and CRM services. Recognizing the limitations of their existing advertising efforts, I implemented Google Ads, which led to a 65% increase in website traffic, a 40% rise in appointments, and a 30% boost in service leads.

Another key aspect of Clarks Auto was Blue Star Works, an in-house machine shop primarily focused on B2B operations, with Clarks Auto being one of its largest clients. This division required its own dedicated marketing, inventory management, workflow processes, and analytics. To maximize worker efficiency and streamline operations, I led a complete overhaul of their workflow procedures. I supervised and supported the team to ensure jobs were completed on time. This involved verifying that all necessary parts were available by establishing reliable processes with vendors and ensuring database accuracy across multiple sources. Given the complexity of the applications and the need for precision, it was critical that every detail was 100% accurate.

In addition to operational improvements, I managed Blue Star Works’ marketing efforts, which included designing logos, creating line cards and business cards, developing a custom website, and producing various other marketing assets. Being part of a small business taught me a great deal and allowed me to contribute significantly. I gained a deeper understanding of the unique decisions required for small businesses to succeed, which often differ greatly from those of larger companies.

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