Her Story
About Amber
Amber Bauer is a people-first sales and operations professional with more than 15 years of leadership experience spanning food service, retail, and lawn and garden industries. She currently serves as a Sales Consultant with Cisco, where she focuses on business-to-business sales within the food service industry, helping independent operators identify opportunities, build strong partnerships, and connect with solutions that support their business goals. Over the course of her career, Bauer has developed approximately five years of sales experience, following a 15-year tenure with Wawa that concluded in 2020. She subsequently held positions with Bimbo Bakeries USA and The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, where she earned the MVP of the Year award for her district.
Bauer’s career is grounded in extensive hands-on operational and customer-facing experience. At Wawa, she progressed through leadership roles and developed a strong foundation in food service management, team development, customer relations, and community engagement. Her professional journey has continued to evolve through sales and account management roles, allowing her to combine operational expertise with a consultative approach to serving customers. She began her college studies in 2006 and completed her coursework with the exception of mathematics and history, while continuing to build her expertise through practical experience and professional development. Bauer is also actively involved in her company’s women’s network and has participated in organizations including the LGBTQ Alliance and Women’s Alliance, reflecting her commitment to connection, inclusion, and professional growth.
Community service has remained an important part of Bauer’s professional journey. Her involvement has included supporting Hurricane Katrina relief efforts through Wawa, establishing a garden at a child development center during her time with Scotts Miracle-Gro, and helping facilitate bread donations from Bimbo Bakeries USA to a church-based homeless shelter program. She also continues to pursue community-focused initiatives through her personal umbrella project. Bauer attributes her success to her positive attitude, empathy, and ability to inspire others by recognizing and helping reignite their inner strength and confidence. She places a strong emphasis on authenticity, communication, and honesty, values that guide both her professional relationships and personal life.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Amber
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to maintaining a positive attitude, leading with empathy, and recognizing the unique strengths I bring to every environment. I believe I carry a light that inspires and uplifts others, and I take pride in using that energy to encourage people, restore their confidence, and help reignite their own light.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to never lose yourself trying to succeed. Work hard, stay accountable, and keep growing—but know where you thrive and what you bring to the table. Success isn’t only about the results you achieve; it’s also about the relationships you build, the people you lift along the way, and being proud of how you showed up.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise young women entering my industry is don’t dim your light to prove your strength. Young women are sometimes made to feel that being warm, enthusiastic, positive, or encouraging makes them seem less authoritative. I’ve learned the opposite can be true. Your energy, attitude, empathy, and ability to lift others can be a real leadership superpower. You can be kind and still be confident. You can bring joy and still hold people accountable. You can lead with heart and still command respect. Learn how to use your light with purpose, and never feel like you have to become colder or smaller to be taken seriously.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest opportunities I see in sales today is shifting from a transaction-focused approach to a people-focused one. Customers remember how a salesperson made them feel, and when trust has been damaged, that perception can carry over to the entire brand. I see a real opportunity for sales consultants to rebuild that trust by listening first, understanding the customer’s business, and becoming a genuine resource rather than simply trying to make a sale. To me, the future of sales is relationship-driven, consultative, and rooted in creating value for both the customer and the company
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me, both professionally and personally, are authenticity, communication, and honesty. I believe in showing up as my genuine self, communicating openly and respectfully, and being honest in every interaction. These values help me build meaningful relationships, foster trust, and create an environment where people feel respected, valued, and heard.
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