We have an exciting opportunity for a Studio & Retail Assistant to join our team at Buffalo Firefly Wellness in Richmond, VA.
About Us
Buffalo Firefly Wellness is an LGBTQ, feminist-led team on a mission to support everyone in living a healthy, purposeful life. Buffalo Firefly is located at 4025 MacArthur Ave in Richmond, VA. Mary-Lynne Williams founded the company in 2019 after leaving a 23-year career as a design director in the tech industry at companies like Microsoft, Facebook and Zillow. The mission of Buffalo Firefly is to help people find their own voice in the midst of a world that demands they be something else — to help them slow down and be in the present moment. Buffalo represents the earth element and grounding. Firefly represents brightness, energy and delight. Buffalo Firefly offers energy healing modalities such as Meditation classes, Reiki and more. The associated retail shop offers high quality healing crystals, crystal alchemy singing bowls, books, tarot decks, aromatherapy and organic, non-toxic body products. Buffalo Firefly serves a community from beyond Richmond. We also host a number of licensed, well-established wellness practitioners such as massage therapists, reiki practitioners, acupuncturists, and a yoga studio. The space is serene, but active. In 2022, we had the honor of taking part in launching a new mural on the side of our building painted by Richmond local Nico Cathcart representing a local black trans activist named Aurora Higgs.
We especially welcome clients and employees who are queer, trans, non-binary, people of color, disabled, parents, are/have been system impacted, are immigrants, and anyone who has experienced systemic oppression or gender-based violence. You will find this space to be free of threatening or offensive acts of any nature that focus on an individual's race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, immigration status, religion or disability.
The Job
We are looking for an incredibly organized and motivated Studio & Retail assistant who will work directly with the Owner. This person should have strong written and verbal communication skills, be excited to steward many different tasks at any given time, and act with integrity, discretion, and passion for their work. They should also be a forward-thinker who actively seeks opportunities and proposes solutions.
4 firm requirements for this position - please do not apply unless you meet all of these
- Currently residing in Richmond, VA metro area;
- A minimum of 3 years experience in a client facing role where you have proven ability to anticipate changing needs and take initiative;
- Full vaccinations and boosters against the COVID-19 virus;
- Ability to travel locally (regularly) and nationally (minimally) for work (expenses paid of course);
What You’ll Do
- Operate our retail area, treatment rooms and classroom spaces, check in clients and students, update signage regularly, daily cleaning & tidying;
- Retail sales, proactively interact with clients or potential clients;
- Assist the owner in Instagram Live stream sales, online classes and any other events;
- Ship online store orders, update inventory and price incoming inventory;
- Schedule and maintain the day-to-day calendar for the Owner and use discretion to make sure their time is well-utilized; assume central coordination for scheduling requests and proactively direct the cadence for meetings, classes and client sessions; arrange detailed travel plans, itineraries, and agendas;
- Review schedules daily to ensure that the Owner is aware of any materials they need to prepare for upcoming meetings, sessions and classes, and assist with the preparation of these materials as necessary;
- Keep the Owner on track with daily, weekly, and monthly agendas and take initiative to shift tasks & appointments as necessary to ensure the most pressing items are addressed in a timely way;
- Track portions of the Owner's communications, organize and answer emails, and draft correspondence, sometimes of a confidential nature;
- Aid team communication efforts by authoring or editing team-wide communications;
- Research, prioritize, and follow-up on incoming issues and concerns addressed to the Owner, including those of a sensitive or confidential nature, and assess the appropriate course of action, referral, or reply;
- Review documents for grammatical errors, typos, and formatting needs;
- Update and maintain notes and next-steps for all of the Owner’s meetings;
- Work closely and effectively with the Owner to keep them well-informed of upcoming commitments and responsibilities, and follow-up appropriately;
- Accompany the Owner to events and coordinate logistics for said events;
- Uphold the company’s mission and values through accountability, innovation, integrity, quality, and teamwork;
- Build and maintain relationships crucial to the success of the company and oversee a variety of special projects for the Owner; and
Who We’re Looking For
- Currently residing in Richmond, VA metro area;
- A minimum of 3 years experience in a client facing role where you have proven ability to anticipate changing needs and take initiative;
- Full vaccinations and boosters against the COVID-19 virus;
- Ability to travel locally (regularly) and nationally (minimally) for work (expenses paid);
- Knowledge of, or training in energy healing arts, crystals, aromatherapy, or a passion and interest for learning;
- Devotion to the highest standards of integrity;
- Dependability to perform duties with the utmost confidentiality;
- Experience in exercising sensibility, discretion, and diplomacy when handling all matters, information, and relationships (including confidential or sensitive information);
- Strong writing skills and experience;
- Fluency in Apple devices, G Suite, Microsoft Office and confidence learning new programs;
- Be able to work efficiently, juggle multiple projects with appropriate prioritization, adhere to established time frames, and adapt to evolving circumstances;
- Confidence to take initiative and make informed choices proactively;
- Strong people skills, emotional intelligence, and be able to work well with others;
- Outstanding relational communication skills (both written and oral);
- Enthusiasm, creativity, patience, good judgment, and flexibility in their work;
- Be able to work both freely and in a team environment;
- Excellent organizational skills, with a high accuracy and attention to detail;
- Someone who is able to work flexible schedules, including evenings and weekends;
- Someone who is able to make phone calls on the company’s behalf;
- Someone who is able to work in front of a computer screen and / or type for the part of a typical working day;
- A plus if you have good design, product photography and merchandising experience and
- U.S. citizenship or permanent residence who is able to legally work in the U.S.
What We Offer
- $17/hour starting wage commensurate with experience
- W2, full-time position (40 hours per week)
- 20% employee discount on retail items
- this role offers steady & significant pay increases for anyone able to demonstrate clear ability to improve operational efficiencies that increase revenue
How To Apply
To apply, please send your cover letter, resume, and list of 3 references (names, position, relationship, and email address)to Mary-Lynne Willams, Owner, at buffalo.firefly@gmail.com with the subject line “Studio & Retail Assistant.” Please include your name and preferred pronouns on all documents. Please speak to how your experience and qualifications match what we are looking for in this role in your cover letter. We expect to receive a large number of applications for this position so your cover letter is your best opportunity to demonstrate why you are the right person for the job. Please also note: we will not contact your references without notifying you first.
- Your first screening will be on zoom or in person with either Mary-Lynne or someone on the team.
- The second interview will be in person after screens have been completed to go into more detail on the job and your qualifications.
Folks who are queer, trans, non-binary, people of color, disabled, parents, those who are/have been system impacted, are immigrants, and anyone who has experienced systemic oppression or gender-based violence are encouraged to apply.
Location
- Richmond, VA (applicant must already be living in the area)
Details
- Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, beginning on September 22, 2022
- Anticipated start date: Immediately
Position Reports To
- Owner