Her Story
About Jennifer
Jennifer Carlsson serves as Regional Sales Manager for the Mid-Atlantic at Schweid & Sons, a role she has held after beginning her career in foodservice manufacturing sales in 2016 with Berdor. She started as a territory sales representative, advanced to regional sales, and took on management of chains for the East Coast. Her background includes working in restaurants throughout high school, serving as a chef on privately owned yachts, and earning a culinary certificate, which she credits alongside the School of Hard Knocks for her practical knowledge. Carlsson specializes in blending sales and culinary expertise to support chefs with ground beef products, menu ideation, and concepts that help customers succeed. She manages three broker markets based in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Maryland, works directly with distributor sales reps on presentations, and oversees formula pricing and limited-time offers for major East Coast chains including Permanti Brothers and Eaton Park Hospitality. She attributes her success to listening to experienced colleagues and asking questions without hesitation. Carlsson is a member of the Chamber of Commerce in Severna Park and Arnold, a successful women in business group, and the Elks Lodge. She advises not giving up and notes that one cannot dance at every wedding, especially in sales.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jennifer
01What do you attribute your success to?
Listening. I had no idea about this side of food service when I had started, but I just tried to listen to people who had been in it for a long time... my co-workers or my directors, and just asking questions. Listening and asking questions, even if you felt they might be silly or, you know, you sound dumb, there is no dumb question.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
You can't dance at every wedding. It'd be the best, especially with sales... our actual... the Schweid & Sons president, Jamie Schweid, his dad always said he can't dance at every wedding, and I think I've heard him say it so many times, it makes me feel better if there's a sale that I can't win.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Just don't give up. Keep pushing. It will pay off. Yeah, just keep pushing.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Being in the commodity ground beef space, with prices constantly changing based off world events, or the market, or, you know, nature, things that are completely out of our control. Trying to keep customers at ease, while being a supportive partner.
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