Jade Russell

I would definitely say my upbringing and my mom was a very driven woman. You know, she came up through school and everything before Title IX even happened, and she still played sports. She was the first woman in our family to go to college, and she played college sports as well, so she was really just like a trailblazer. I think having that, seeing that in my home, my dad was also very supportive, not only of her, but of me. Like, he was the best girl dad. I remember when I was probably like 6 or 7 years old, I like jumped in his lap, and I was like, wouldn't you have rather had a boy? And he said, are you kidding me? He was like, you can do anything a boy can do and do it better. I definitely think just my parents and the drive they gave me, and that, like, to always just be the, like, fight to be the best at everything, not for anyone other than yourself. And there was no quitting in my house. Like, if I started something, I had to finish it. And so, I think just those principles at a very early age have definitely, like, propelled me through life, you know, through playing college softball. I did lose my mom in college, and so she passed away, yeah, so fighting through that, but just having those principles that she instilled in me, like, very early on have definitely carried me for sure.

The best career advice I ever received came from my father, who told me, “You can do anything a boy can do—and do it better,” a reminder that reinforced my confidence and sense of capability.

What we do is male-dominated on both ends, so as far as customers most of the time, and other people who work for Cintas, so I would just say, like, don't be intimidated. Like, you have a lot to bring to the table, and you see things differently. I would just say, like, boss up, own it, and there's endless possibilities. I think, for me and my profession, like, going after opportunities, so like, not waiting on them to come to you. Like, stepping up to lead and stepping up to help other reps in our industry, just seizing opportunities, not waiting on opportunities to come to you. And then to not be intimidated in a prominently male-driven industry, because you do bring a lot of value and unique things to the table.

The biggest challenge in my field is that it remains predominantly male, both among customers and colleagues. However, this also presents a major opportunity for women to bring unique perspectives, add distinct value, and step into leadership and visibility roles.

The values most important to me are drive, persistence, and resilience—always finishing what I start—while staying deeply committed to family and community, including church service and supporting others financially.