Meet Dallas Edmonds, Crafty’s Client Operations Specialist in the Pacific Northwest

Dallas longed for a client-facing role where she could effect real change and work on processes to make people's lives easier. Enter: Crafty!

Despite her Lone Star State-inspired name, Dallas Edmonds is a lifelong Washington State resident. And yes, she's heard all your jokes about it. But she still laughs at them because she is the kind of person who leads with kindness. That quality is precisely what makes her an excellent fit for Crafty's Client Operations Specialist position in the Pacific Northwest. 

Dallas began working as a server in her hometown of Stanwood when she was just fifteen. Somewhere between managing orders and chatting with customers, she realized she was great at helping people meet their needs. She learned the art of listening to customer concerns, getting things done under tight deadlines, and keeping everyone involved happy.

She took those skills to Washington State University, where she majored in marketing and minored in wine and beverage business management. After graduating in 2021, Dallas found a job as a digital and creative recruiter. While she ultimately realized recruiting wasn't the path for her, she enjoyed working with clients and wanted to make deeper connections than she could over the phone. 

Dallas loved helping people but needed to figure out which capacity fit best. That's when she stumbled upon a job listing from Crafty. A job in the food & beverage industry and a client-facing role where she could curate a best-in-class experience for her local community was the jackpot combination she had been searching for. 

Read on to learn more about how Dallas keeps clients, community-building and Pirates of the Caribbean top of mind as she helps Crafty scale its West Coast operations.  
 

What first attracted you to Crafty?

I was looking for a place that was the perfect intersection of my skillset: food and beverage industry knowledge and the ability to create and maintain top-notch operations for clients to make their days better.

Once I started the interview process, I was hooked by the people. Everyone I talked to was just cool. These lovely, genuine, and knowledgeable people ushered me through the process and made me realize these are the kinds of people I want to work with. I had in-depth conversations with my manager about operational excellence, and we chatted about fun personal stuff, which was wonderful.

At one point during our conversation, I hadn't even been hired yet, but he still said to me, "Whatever you do, you're going to do great." I felt very encouraged, no matter what the interview outcome would be. I knew that the people at Crafty would create an environment where we could all show up as our authentic selves and support each other daily. 

Can you walk us through your current role at Crafty?

As the Client Operations Specialist in the Pacific Northwest, I manage Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver, BC. I handle all communication, budget management, and order management at all of our locations in those areas. I conduct frequent site visits for quality control and walk-throughs to ensure everything is running smoothly and that our clients in those locations are happy. Plus, I'm there in person to address any needs.

On a project level, I help update operations that need to be altered to create a seamless experience. We look at each kitchen as an individual experience. Operationally, something might work for a kitchen in the same company on the same floor, but it’s not working for the kitchen on the other end. Maybe the habits of the people who frequent that kitchen are different, so how can I change things so everything runs smoothly, snacks are stocked at the right time, and everything looks as aesthetically pleasing as possible? I have to get to know the client and location inside and out to understand how to make the best decisions for their space.   

At Crafty, we're constantly thinking about improving processes, so building and rebuilding operations are a large part of how we do that. I also get to do some fun travel up north to BC, one of the most beautiful places on earth, so I certainly enjoy those drives. 

What do you love most about your job?

It's so fun that I never know what my day will hold. I visit my client sites, and I'm like, ok, what problem-solving am I going to be able to dig into today? I also love the ownership I have in my role. I have an incredible opportunity to create these best-in-class service experiences for clients in an area where Crafty has recently started expanding. Our technology and service are second to none, and bringing that to clients in this newer region for Crafty is exciting and empowering. We're replacing the old-guard corporate food and beverage programs that have been running the show for so many years, so seeing our clients so happy with this new level of service is lovely.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

I'm sure this is a universal feeling for many people, but there aren't enough hours in the day. I get tons of requests during the week, and balancing them and prioritizing them is always a challenge, but I enjoy it. It works a specific muscle in my brain. For some, this can feel overwhelming if you're not used to it. But I do as much as I can with my time. I work off color-coded to-do lists where I create a key for myself, from urgent to low-priority matters. That helps me stay on top of everything and keep clients happy. 

What is the most unique thing about working at Crafty?

I think Crafty's approach to service is incredibly unique: excellence 100% of the time. One of our five values is "we obsess over the client” and we eat, sleep, and breathe that. We aren't cool with dropping balls or giving less than on any given day. We are incredibly driven people, which is a rare experience. Everyone is giving 100%. And it motivates you to show up for your coworkers every day as they do for you. This kind of mindset is what sets us apart and keeps our clients super happy with our service. 

How do you manage your schedule between onsite and office work?

I get the best of both worlds with my schedule, and I love it. I'm making client site visits on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. I get a lot of face time with clients to discuss any concerns or updates we might have for each other. I love getting to know them in person and finding ways to delight them in small ways when I'm there. For instance, I know everyone's favorite snacks and ensure they're well stocked. And then, on Wednesdays and Fridays, I get the opportunity to get the quiet, heads-down time I need to move projects forward and get through any work that needs to be done so I'm set up for the week ahead. 

How have your previous roles helped you in your current role at Crafty?

I started as a server at a restaurant when I was 16. Being a server is the ultimate customer service experience. It teaches you so much about patience, communication, and remaining calm. When someone isn't happy, instead of meeting them with frustration, you learn to show them that you are here to find solutions for them. You create a partnership when you can adequately communicate that you're on their side. Making sure someone has their side of ranch and facing supply chain issues regarding office snack delivery can be approached in the same way: with empathy. 


What kind of office snacks and beverages do you depend on to make it through the workday? 

I drink a lot of coconut water. It's obsessive at this point. I also love Pocky–the classic chocolate flavor and matcha. 

Let’s get personal! What does a perfect day off look like for you?

I'm sleeping in! I might wake up at 11 am or noon. It'd be a lovely sunny day outside. I'd make a cup of coffee and then head to a cute cafe for breakfast. Then I'd find some body of water to sit out at,, read a good book, and spend quality time with my siblings. Then, I'd end the day with a dinner party. I love to cook for my loved ones, so dinner parties are one of my favorite things. Good people, good food, and good wine make a perfect day. Also, as an ever-present staple to my life, my cats Calypso and Luna would be in the mix too.