Erica Starr

Background

About Erica Starr

I went from being on my feet to staying on my toes. Working as a baker in Manhattan, I was on my feet a lot, living out my life’s dream of working under passionate pastry chefs and dedicated to creating desserts that defied imagination. Life was yummy. But with a sister plagued by multiple food restrictions, I was moved to open my own pastry business so everyone could celebrate life with cake. Sweet Sensations, my one-woman operation, was born. I was on my feet more than ever until the day I fell on the street. I would walk again, but I had to start over professionally. Fortunately, I found a home at Starr Associates LLP, a boutique law firm specializing in real estate, where I serve as the Director of Financial Operations with equal enjoyment. Now, walking the city marveling at the grand condominiums developed by our clients, I brainstorm process improvements for the multi-million dollar escrow department that keeps me on my toes. I love working with this team, and nothing is better than meeting with our managing partner to catch up or blow her mind with the latest productivity reports. The fall was life giving me lemons, but luckily, I love making lemon tarts. I developed critical analytical skills and found that the precision and finesse required in balancing accounts are like baking. No experience is wasted. Working in restaurants gave me the organizational and time management skills I currently use, and owning a business taught me the value of the bottom line. My desire to learn more was piqued by the EMBA program at Baruch College. I admired my classmates, other hard-working professionals, who offered valuable insight. As teammates, they pushed me on assignments I relished, like developing businesses and financial evaluations, while supporting me through the bear that is statistics. Representing our cohort at graduation as the valedictorian was an honor. I thrive on being the problem solver and confidant, an overall go-to person. Clients can count on me to manage their accounts and supply custom reports. Colleagues can rely on me to be responsive and troubleshoot issues. Friends and family trust me with sensitive matters. On the weekends, I can be found with my wife, pushing through a strenuous workout or catering to our cat. And I love solving puzzles like completing a whole week of NYT Crosswords or hunting down a five-cent difference on a million-dollar bank reconciliation. Ultimately, as a born and raised New Yorker, I take the most pleasure in making an impact on the city that I love through food, real estate, and service.