Catherine Balga
Catherine Balga is a retail and operations professional with approximately two years of experience at Lowe’s Companies, Inc. She currently supports the Lawn & Garden department and the store’s inventory team, with prior experience in the Electrical department. In her most recent role, she has spent about one year focusing on inventory support, maintaining store standards, and contributing to efficient product organization and departmental operations.
Catherine is recognized for her strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and consistent work ethic. She values reliability and prefers to contribute in structured, behind-the-scenes roles where accuracy, consistency, and quality execution are essential. Her professional approach is grounded in practical execution and a commitment to doing her work well, while maintaining a focus on fairness and respect in the workplace.
Her career background includes a long history in retail and customer-facing environments, along with experience in healthcare and wellness services. Originally from Connecticut, Catherine completed her massage therapy training at the Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy around 2010 and later became licensed to practice massage therapy in Virginia. She has also completed an online pharmacy technician course (2006), though certification was not obtained. Alongside her retail career, she has worked as a massage therapist and continues to maintain her Virginia massage therapy license and related business licensing, both subject to renewal.
• Career Diploma, Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage
• Diploma of Education, Pharmacy
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my career journey and the diverse experiences that have shaped my professional growth. From 2010 to 2014, I worked as a massage therapist, where I developed strong client care skills, discipline, and attention to detail. In my current role at Lowe’s Companies, Inc., I continue to build on those strengths by supporting the Lawn & Garden department while also taking on inventory responsibilities. These experiences have strengthened my work ethic, adaptability, and commitment to delivering consistent, high-quality results in every role I take on.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received was to stay committed, work hard, and remain open to where my strengths naturally lead me. Early in my journey, I learned the value of perseverance while working multiple jobs at the same time I attended massage therapy school, which taught me discipline, resilience, and the importance of pushing through challenges. Over time, I discovered my true calling in retail, where I thrive in fast-paced environments and enjoy staying busy. That experience reinforced for me that success comes from consistency, adaptability, and being willing to grow into the opportunities that best align with who you are.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is simple: work hard, stay consistent, and never give up. There will be challenges along the way, but persistence and a strong work ethic will carry you through difficult moments and open doors over time. Focus on learning as much as you can, take pride in doing even the small tasks well, and remain open to growth and opportunity. Success in this field comes from dedication, resilience, and showing up every day with a positive and determined mindset.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest opportunities in my field right now is the ability to renew and fully re-engage with my massage therapy certification as a licensed professional. Returning to this area of practice represents both personal and professional growth, allowing me to expand my skill set and potentially broaden my career options in the wellness field. At the same time, balancing opportunities in retail with the requirements of maintaining and renewing professional licensure presents a challenge, but it also motivates me to stay organized, focused, and committed to continuous development.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are hard work, humility, and integrity. I believe in putting in consistent effort, doing my job well, and earning my success through dedication rather than expecting anything extra. I take pride in staying grounded, being reliable, and contributing in a meaningful way wherever I work. For me, fulfillment comes from working hard, maintaining honesty in everything I do, and building a stable and honest living through steady effort and commitment.
Locations
Lowe's Companies, Inc.
4708 Portsmouth Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23462