Jamie Donald

I really attribute my success to relationship building. Everybody talks about sales and products, but at the end of the day it's really about relationships. What I've found is that I've stayed in touch with all of my clients and customers, and that's what has made me successful and approachable and desirable for recruiters. I've kept those relationships even as I've moved between companies. I've always been genuine and believed in the brands I represent, but I've never pushed products. There are projects where I'll say, 'I actually don't think this is a good fit for you, and this is why.' I think people appreciate the honesty. I've never been a pushy salesperson, I've just been a people person. I've also been consistent, reliable, and dependable - being a staple in my market, concentrating on Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast, and being present for the local design community and builders.

I would say trust yourself. You know more than you think you do. Be open to learning, but trust that you are capable and be confident in who you are. I think as women and as people in general, everybody struggles with being confident in who you are and what you have to bring to the table. It's easy to get intimidated, especially when you're just coming into your own in adulthood and still figuring yourself out. I'm going to be 35 this year and I'm still figuring myself out. Even after becoming a mom, you're changed - I'm figuring out who I am now as a mom. You're going to continue to add layers to who you are as you grow, so be open to that and stepping into that, but also be confident in who you are in that moment. Be a little bit fearless in the sense that you can do whatever you set your mind to. If you're working hard, if you're putting the time in, if you're being committed and not making excuses for yourself, you can go so far. Don't ever doubt that.

I think right now the changing market is always a challenge, whether it's a good market or a bad market. When it's a good market, you're focused on getting quantity and everything out. Right now, for our national single-family builders in my division, the biggest challenge is the rates and home sales. That affects everybody who's part of the building process - we're just one vendor for them, but it affects everything. I think the biggest challenge is really trying to maximize our value to our partners during a time where they're struggling, and figuring out how we can help the best that we can. It's about maximizing our value to our builders and our other partners that we do projects with in a time where things are difficult for them, given rates and sales.

We're very faith-based. I grew up Catholic and our boys are being brought up that way too. Even if you're not a person of faith, I think the biggest thing for us is being kind, respectful people and treating everybody in that way. Always showing respect, showing eye contact, showing that you care, being present in the moment. For our family, obviously being good to each other, taking care of each other, being there for each other, but also the people around us too. When you come in contact with somebody, being good, kind, respectful people is what matters most.