Holly Gough
Leyton, East London,Waltgham Forest
Summary
Customer-focused professional with experience in waitressing, bartending, and sales. Skilled in team management and independent operations, showcasing strong organisational and leadership capabilities. Expertise in cocktail preparation and computer skills enhances efficiency. Time management and knowledge of London transport links support effective service delivery.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
Work History
Salesperson
The Artisan People Group
09.2025 - Current
- Attended training days, receiving certificates for upselling and cross-selling; assisted clients with requests such as shade matching foundations and creating personalised bridal makeup routines based on clients' skin concerns and product knowledge.
- Worked as a salesperson for agency selling high-end skincare, cosmetics and fragrances, including brands such as YSL, Estée Lauder, Kiehl's, and Giorgio Armani.
- Some of these stores have included: Space NK Battersea, Boots White City and John Lewis on Oxford Street which I was requested regularly over the last Christmas period to work with YSL and Estée Lauder.
- Travelled across London, adapting quickly to new policies, work routines, and different counters in various stores.
Event Steward
The Last Mile
04.2025 - Current
- During my work here, I have been trained as a traffic steward, directing oncoming traffic, controlling large crowds of people around the events, setting up large barriers around the venues and assisting event goers in directions and finding safe ways home.
- I have worked at many venues around London so I can easily navigate around London, and I am able to manage quick travel options to be able to get to work.
- Some examples of these venues have included: Drumsheds at Tottenham; Magazine at North Greenwich and Exhibition at White City.
- London-based event company
Waitress and Hostess
Sticks and Sushi
Shoreditch
11.2025 - 06.2026
- During my time here, I have received a large amount of training and have had very high expectations as a waitress and host.
- Some aspects have included learning Japanese to be able to present the menu in the language and know the layout of the restaurant in Japanese as well.
- I was also trained in Japanese history as well as the language to be able to offer the guests a thorough and immersive experience of our restaurant and the culture of Japan when they dined with us.
- I was trained in steps of service, allergens, health and safety and a deep understanding of the menu and the history of the restaurant.
- In Shoreditch, we also offered a bottomless brunch on Saturdays in which I would manage a section which could be from a first date to a 35-table birthday party which I undertook confidently and calmly to ensure all our guests had a wonderful experience.
- Additionally, I often was asked to cover at other branches from Richmond to Soho where I would have to adapt to the new floor layout and steps of service during busy nights which allowed me to adapt quickly and calmly to new surroundings and stay calm under pressure.
- During this time, we often ran competitions in the restaurant and I ended up finishing in 1st place for most positive reviews in Shoreditch.
- Popular chain restaurant
Receptionist and Sales Assistant
DR Boo Emporium
10.2024 - 10.2025
- This beauty parlor has allowed me to further my skills working with computers and IT equipment including booking systems and website maintenance and well as training in high-end Skincare, makeup and fragrances such as Clarins, Caudalie, Skinceuticals, Guerlain, Escentric Molecules and many more.
- As I have worked to sell luxury skincare, makeup and fragrances I have been trained to upsell facial and massage treatments to new clients and work on marketing strategies to bring in new customers including social media posts, special offers to promote specific brands and update the layout of the store.
- Remove pronoun also took the role of managing the shop independently multiple times in which jobs have included, ordering stock, cleaning and restocking products, handling customer enquiries and developing new marketing strategies and new display ideas to create for the shop’s advertisement.
Event Hostess/Bartender/Waitress
The Renaissance at Kelham Hall
09.2023 - 09.2025
- After completing work experience with the event company: Wildfire agency, at Kelham Hall for an Amazon Christmas party, I was invited back to Kelham Hall for an interview which I was then offered the role of event hostess.
- During my two years working here, I was regularly promoted to team leader of food service as well as completing other tasks such as waitressing, bartending, setting up for events and more.
- I have been trained in cocktail making and would often bartend during weddings exceeding 300 attendees as well as other events and switch between three different bars within the venue.
- Along with further training in hospitality and customer service, I learnt how to carry out multiple tasks, handle with a variety of customers and a large variety of different events from a 20-person meeting to a 300-person wedding and immersive dinner experiences that we held such as our ‘Faulty Towers’ immersive dinner experience which we had to adapt to how the guests expected the waiters to act.
Barista
Costa Coffee
2024May - Sep2024
- Adapted to new environment and methods quickly during summer temporary contract in busy season, leveraging prior industry knowledge.
Barista
Insomnia Coffee Company
09.2022 - 11.2023
- Trained for over a year at Insomnia Coffee Company in barista role and quality customer service.
- Learned to make various drinks and handle opening and closing tasks while developing effective communication skills with team and problem-solving abilities in stressful situations.
Education
A-Levels - psychology, English, Spanish, EPQ project
St Georges Academy
Lincolnshire01-2024
Skills
- Sales expertise
- In-person sales
- Upselling techniques
- Product knowledge
- Sales training
- Sales analytics
- Product merchandising
- Customer support
- Client engagement
- Marketing strategy
- Store opening and closing
- Team collaboration
- Multitasking efficiency
- Relationship management
- Positive and approachable
- Menu presentation
- Hospitality etiquette
Custom
- Amanda Money, St Georges Academy, Amanda.Money@st-georges-academy.org
- Nathan Angus, Managing Director, Wildfire Experience Agency, Nathan@wildfireagency.co.uk
- Selina Lowis, Manager, Insomnia Coffee Shop, Selina.Lowis@hotmail.com
- Megan Tupholme, Dance Teacher, thelookout_studio@lifestyle-physio.co.uk
- Abi Moody, Manager at The Renaissance at Kelham Hall, abi@renaissance-kelham.com
Timeline
Waitress and Hostess
Sticks and Sushi
11.2025 - 06.2026
Salesperson
The Artisan People Group
09.2025 - Current
Event Steward
The Last Mile
04.2025 - Current
Receptionist and Sales Assistant
DR Boo Emporium
10.2024 - 10.2025
Event Hostess/Bartender/Waitress
The Renaissance at Kelham Hall
09.2023 - 09.2025
Barista
Insomnia Coffee Company
09.2022 - 11.2023
A-Levels - psychology, English, Spanish, EPQ project
St Georges Academy
Barista
Costa Coffee
2024May - Sep2024