Job title: Sales Representative
Employer: Ai Painting Plus
Hometown: Evansville, Indiana
First job: Claire’s
College: Going back to college after a few years! Currently taking classes at MACC
Associate Applied Science/ Business Management
What led you to your career? Passion for people & being able to offer extraordinary customer service by just being me! I come from a retail management background, so this was super fun and exciting to be able to do something out of my comfort zone and get the opportunity to network with fellow business owners and customers! I met Lacie & Austin, the owners of my current company back in 2012 at a previous employer. I knew instantly they would be good friends and colleagues for years. It all came full circle this past January whenever we talked about the opportunity they had for me! This was a new position they had just created within their company, to do Sales for Ai Painting Plus. I was super eager and excited to be a part of their success and to continue to grow their business!
Two or three words that friends and acquaintances would use to describe you: Passionate, Energetic, Motivator!
Currently reading: 7 Secrets to Selling More by Selling Less- Allan Langer
Hardest thing you’ve ever done: I worked as a Retail Store Manager, or Retail Office Manager for the past 12 years. It was super exhausting and time consuming. I spent the majority of my weekends and holidays working in the mall. At the time it was super exciting and Black Friday was always a huge rush to be able to motivate my team and crush our goals. I was like a kid in a candy store opening that gate at midnight and being crowded with tons of people who were ready to shop! It probably was one of the best yet exhausting times I have ever worked! Working 12+ hours, 6 day work weeks, and always being on my feet was a lot. Retail workers work hard! However, I am looking forward to relaxing on the weekends and spending more time with my family during this upcoming holiday season! That time in my life was super fun and I wouldn’t trade any of it for all the relationships I made along the way.
Something that brings you joy: Spending time with My Husband (Clay-Married for 7years), My Son (Zane-he will be 3 in November! Sweet fur babies! I have two Pugs, Tank (1) Raider (9) We are homebodies! But love to spend time together and to be outside any chance we can get.
Place you want to visit: I would love to go to Paris
Advice for someone new to Columbia: Get involved! There is so much to do in this city which is so great! With moving here back in 2012, I really wasn’t as bold as I am now with trying to make new connections and putting myself out there. Join the Chamber, Join Women’s Network, Join BNI! All of these wonderful organizations really do have their pay off with meeting other peers, entrepreneurs! Also, we love Columbia for all of the local restaurants and shops that this town has to offer! Take advantage of those, and go see them all!
Goals for 2022: Oh, this is a hard one! Goal for ending 2022 is just continuing to take care of myself first before taking care of others! I really want to continue to grow my business and customer base with Ai Painting. I would love to get more involved within the Chamber and Women’s network and hope to join a committee, to continue to make an impact in my community! Overall just continuing to do what I love to do, to meet people and build new relationships.