Influential Woman · Battery Industry

Briana Reasonover

Major Account Sales, Continental Battery Systems

Dallas, TX

Her Story

About Briana

I started in this industry when I was young, about [AGE], and I pretty much would say I grew up at my company. Over the past 13 years, I have held quite a few positions within the company based on the skills and development I gained over the years, learning the procedures and processes inside and out. About 5 years ago, my boss Andrew Schrader came into the picture and really elevated my career, giving me the knowledge I needed so that when there was an issue within the company, people would reach out to me because I knew how to handle it. In my current role as major account sales for almost 3 years, I manage major accounts in the battery industry, particularly in the medical supply field and with customers who order truckloads or containers. My day-to-day involves checking in with clients, addressing any bumps in the road, and helping them understand that despite price increases due to the economy, we still maintain the same quality we have always had. I oversee the entire process from production and battery design through the 90-day journey of getting containers across the seas to the United States. One of my proudest achievements has been training and mentoring younger people, especially young women - many of whom had their first major job on my team. Being able to show them the ropes and watch them gain promotions and move up within the company means everything to me. When I go to corporate or visit different branches and see one of my ladies, we are always winking at each other because they thank me, and I am so proud to see them succeeding.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Briana

01What do you attribute your success to?

I would say my most notable achievement and what I am proudest of is training people and showing them what it is that I do and how to be as successful as I have been over these past few years. I had a team under me before with younger people, a lot of younger women and some young men. Being able to train a single mom or just a young lady fresh out of college or fresh out of high school, not knowing where they are wanting to go in life or just trying to establish a good job - for a lot of the ladies on my team, this has been their first major job. Being able to show them the ropes and give them the knowledge that they need, and now they have all gained promotions or moved up within the company. When I go to corporate or to a different branch and I see one of my ladies, we are always winking at each other because she is thanking me, and I love being able to see them succeeding how I was. I was a little one starting at the company, about [AGE] when I started there, so I pretty much grew up there. Being able to see how I have developed over the years along with the other people that I brought with me on my team, I am very proud of that.

02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

Do not hesitate. When you have a passion for something or you know that this is something that you want to pursue, don't wait for someone to pat you on the back and say you can do it - just go for it. Make that game plan and start out wherever it is most simple, even if you have to Google. I am a major researcher when it comes to just not knowing the information. Write out your game plan and just start taking those steps. Even if it is baby steps, knowing that you are making your way in the right direction to get where you want to be in life, it matters so much. And use your village, even if it is small. The people that believe in you will help you any way that they possibly can.

03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

I would say it is honestly being a woman in a male-driven industry. I would definitely say it is that. A lot of people, when I first started getting into the job and you talk batteries, a lot of guys don't really think that women know a lot of information about stuff. But then we will go to a dinner meeting and my boss will introduce everyone, and then he says, okay, let me turn you to the brains, and everyone pays attention. He will have all eyes on Brianna so she could talk about this product and let us know how it is going to bring up the revenue. I do love it - being able to be trained and understanding the concept of it and getting it down to where you can have your customers feel comfortable and confident in the information that you are giving them. And then they give you all of this money to handle their batteries and get stuff across seas, and they just trust you with a lot. Being able to take care of everything and handle it from A to Z and letting them know on a weekly basis how it is going and everything is executed perfectly, it is a wonderful feeling for sure.

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