Briana Williams

I would say who I've worked for and them believing in me and giving me the opportunity. I've been fortunate to work with leaders who saw my potential and gave me chances to grow. I've always chosen to work for smaller companies where I could be seen and mentored, rather than being just a number in a huge corporation. That's allowed me to report directly to top leadership, like our president and co-founder now, which has accelerated my growth. I've taken the belief and skills from one firm to another, always carrying forward what I've learned and continuing to grow.

The best advice I received was that you always gotta do your best, but there's always going to be someone smarter than you, better looking than you, faster than you. Basically, someone's always going to be better, but you can't focus on that, you just gotta do the best you can. This advice applies to basically all aspects of life - work, sports, finances, anything really. It taught me to focus on myself, focus on what I can do, and focus on my own growth rather than comparing myself to others.

Ask questions and be curious. I would say that's the best advice I could give - ask questions and be curious, because everybody loves someone curious and wanting to just learn and flourish. Always stay curious and don't be afraid to ask the questions. Having that curious mindset, that always-learning mindset, is where growth is going to come from. Women sometimes hold back from asking questions, but you shouldn't be afraid to do that.

Of course, it's a male-dominated industry, but there are more women at the manufacturers than I would have ever thought, and there are definitely females in the industry, particularly in leadership roles like mine. But just like every other industry, women always face challenges. You get women that are CEOs, but for every 10 men that are CEOs, there might be one woman CEO. I definitely think, just across the board, it's more difficult for a woman, especially in some industries over others, to get that powerful role. But there's absolutely still room for women to make impact in this field.

Of course, respect is important to me, and fitness and self-care, really, because if you're in a good state of mind, then you'll be doing well in your personal life, you'll be doing well with your friends, you'll be doing well with your business relations. It's basically being in a good mindset. I really try to go to the gym and do my workouts even if I don't want to, even if I'm tired at the end of the day. My president and I are at the same gym, and we make it a point every day at 4pm we leave and we make the 4:30 class. It's like having somebody that holds you accountable. Even at lunch, I'll go walk a couple laps around the building, just getting some fresh air and getting my mind right. I always think it's great to set at least an hour aside for yourself a day, just to relax or do whatever helps you - whether that's fitness, reading, taking your dog on a walk, or cooking dinner. I'm sitting at a desk all day, so I need to get up and move, and when I do, I feel better and come back stronger.