Influential Woman · Nutraceuticals

Hope James

Dietary supplement business, Not specified

Greenwood, SC

Her Story

About Hope

I transitioned into the nutraceuticals industry about 6 years ago, right when COVID hit, after being recruited from a completely different field - sheet metal manufacturing. I had no clue what I was doing when I first came over, but the challenging environment and the opportunity to make products that help people kept me engaged. Our company manufactures supplements like joint health products, probiotics, and prenatals that end up on shelves at major retailers like Walmart, Costco, and Sam's Club. What I find most rewarding is being able to walk down the supplement aisle and see our products, knowing they're helping people in ways similar to pharmaceuticals but without the same level of regulation. The industry offers endless opportunities - these are global businesses with reputable companies where there's room for advancement and growth. Beyond my day-to-day work, I lead the women's committee for our company, which has probably given me the most satisfaction in my career. We have ladies across different salary bands, and it's incredible to see us all find common ground and support each other while supporting different causes. At the end of the day, knowing that you're making a product that helps someone feel better gives me a good feeling.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Hope

01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

The best career advice I've received is to find what drives you, like what makes you happy. Some people are salary and title-driven, and then other people are purpose-driven. So define what makes you happy. I listened to a program the other day where a lady said the first thing a guy asked her was 'what's my title gonna be?' and she knew he wasn't the right person because if that's what you're worried about, then you aren't worried about the heart of what I need you to do. I'm not title-driven myself - companies can change all of that at any time anyway. It's about finding what truly matters to you, whether that's purpose or compensation or something else entirely.

02What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

The biggest challenges in my field are really around regulations from the FDA or any type of regulating body, ensuring that you're making a safe product for consumers. But the opportunities are endless, really. These are global businesses, and the industry is well known, so you can work for any of the reputable companies that are out there. There's so many opportunities for advancement and growth. And not only that, but just overall, knowing that you're making a product for someone who at the end of the day feels better because they took your product - that's pretty rewarding. I like knowing that, I guess. It gives me a good feeling.

03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

Honesty, integrity, obviously, and just being a good person. I'm over the women's committee for our company, so just trying to be there to be supportive and uplifting and help others as much as possible. I have ladies in the group who are in salary bands lower than mine, and then some much higher than mine, and it's good to see that we all can find a common ground and different causes to support while supporting each other. Leading the women's committee has probably given me the most satisfaction in my career. Those values kind of trickle over into everything - just leading in various ways and always trying to be your best self.

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