Her Story
About Holly
Holly Robbins serves as Business Development Manager at GardaWorld, a global security company, a role she has held for three years and six months. She entered the security industry after gaining experience in the furniture sector in High Point, North Carolina, where she worked in customer service, account management, and sales with interior designers and storefront owners, following a period as a stay-at-home mom. Robbins holds an associate's degree in business from GTCC and certifications in CPR, active shooter response, and workplace security awareness, both from the Department of Homeland Security. She is a member of ASIS International, IRAM, BOLMA (Raleigh-Durham chapter, serving on the Programs Committee), InfraGuard North Carolina, and IFMA. In her position, Robbins focuses on business development, market analysis, contract negotiations, strategic planning, and RFPs, connecting with clients ranging from global firms like Lenovo to local manufacturers to provide manned guarding, camera systems, and executive protection. She emphasizes building relationships, maintaining integrity, pursuing continuous growth, and staying current with AI trends to serve as a trusted advisor in the commercial real estate and security sectors.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Holly
01What do you attribute your success to?
I feel like what's really made me successful is becoming involved in my markets, knowing my markets and understanding my markets, the market trends, being able to be the trusted advisor in the security industry to security professionals to commercial real estate, so property managers, and knowing that at the end of the day if they call me and reach out to me for cameras or other needs, and always keeping up with the AI trends.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Being in sales, every person you meet at networking events, whether you think they might not be able to benefit you in the moment or vice versa, just making connections because you never know when you might need to lean on someone for something in the future. Building relationships is key.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
It takes a lot of patience. I started in this market and had to build it from the ground up. As long as you are motivated, like to make connections, stay on top of education and security trends, and have a little bit of grit especially being a female in a male-dominant industry, and stay on the straight and narrow path with a vision for growth, you would be successful.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in the industry is that security has always been looked at as just check the box and go with the lowest provider. Educating clients and prospects on setting the bar higher, why quality matters over price, moving beyond the mall cop type image. The greatest opportunity is the never-ending need for security, which is always going to be there, and continuing to evolve with AI and trends.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity and being trustworthy are key, both personally and professionally, because people need to rely on you knowing you'll be honest. Growth is also core, continuously learning and developing personally and professionally.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.