Business Journal’s Woman to Watch

Position/Length of Time

President
6 years

Company Name:

Sales Growth Specialists

Continuing Education:

B.S. in Biology and Psychology, 1981, University of Sioux Falls
MDiv with emphasis in Leadership, currently pursuing, Bethel University

Previous work experience:

Membership in Professional Organizations:

• Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA)
     http://www.mhta.org/
• Minnesota Council for Quality
     http://www.councilforquality.org/
• National Speakers Association (NSA)
     http://www.nsaspeaker.org/
• National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO)
     http://www.nawbo.org/

What accomplishment, either personal or professional makes you most proud?

As an equity partner and national sales manager of a turnaround management team for a Minneapolis-based medical device company (Micro-Tech Hearing Instruments), I built a highly disciplined sales organization that played the leading role in growing annual revenues from $300,000 to $10 million in just seven years. Based on our success, we were purchased by Starkey Laboratories, a world leader in the hearing instrument industry.

What are your goals for this year?

My clients are committed to growing both revenues and margins through New Business Development. However, many find it a frustrating experience to find salespeople who not only can but WILL sell in their markets. In response, my goal is to triple revenues in the SGS division that focuses on developing sales management recruiting processes through a Sales Talent Acquisition Routine.

What are your long-term goals?

To inspire and challenge corporate leaders to become transformational leaders. By discovering, developing, and integrating core values, leaders can operate more courageously, decisively, and respectfully when facing turbulent moral and ethical conflicts. Courageous leadership creates success—financial as well as moral, ethical and spiritual integrity.

Who has been your role model or mentor in your professional development?

My parents nurtured my entrepreneurial spirit by example, developing numerous successful businesses ventures. Their creativity, courage, and confidence inspire me to ask HOW something can be done versus WHY it can’t be done. In addition, they continually demonstrate their values—a commitment to excellence as the live out their conviction to be good stewards of all their God-give resources and responsibilities.

Marital Status

Married for 20 years

Children

• Brittany, 18
• Westin, 15
• Danae, 12

What challenges do you face in balancing family and professional responsibilities?

A never-ending challenge! This desire for balance compelled me to start Sales Growth Specialists. Research shows that families, including husbands and children, need both “quality time” as well as “quantity time” to flourish. Consequently, I prioritize, ensuring time is wisely invested with my clients. I’m also very judicious with time outside of “school bus hours.”

What advice would you give others who are trying to do the same?

Focus on your family. I often remind myself, “What is life worth if I have gained the whole world…..but have lost my family.” Without having strong family relationships, everything loses it’s luster. The time is so short; children are the future—invest yourself in them.

What other advice would you give to women professionals?

• Take personal responsibility for success. Don’t blame anyone or anything.
• See obstacles as stepping-stones.
• Ruthlessly examine whether or not your beliefs support your success or sabotage your effectiveness. Only you can break through your self-imposed glass ceiling.
• Nurture friendships with people who love to laugh. It nurtures one’s creativity and resilience.

Other

Board of Directors, CitySites Urban Media

Read the Women to Watch Press Release.