Her Story
About Jennifer
After spending 11 years as a special educator, I decided it was time for a change and moved into the corporate world. My family and I relocated to Tennessee, seeking the southern hospitality and a new chapter in our lives. I started with Crawford Electric Supply as an inside sales rep and have been with the company for 4 years. I progressed to account manager when that position opened up, working on the outside sales side. When my branch manager was promoted to a higher position in the company, I was the natural next step since I had been his right hand throughout the development of the branch. I applied for the branch manager role and was welcomed with open arms, stepping into that position in February. Now I manage both the industrial and commercial side of the electrical distribution business. I'm also proud to be part of an ERG group called WATT, which stands for Women Advocating Today for Tomorrow, and I work on that even outside of my regular work hours because I'm passionate about it.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jennifer
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the support I've had along the way, starting young with my parents who gave me nothing but support. I've had incredible mentors throughout my career. The branch manager whose position I took was an incredible leader who guided my strengths and told me to really take advantage of the strengths I have and seek out roles that will fit those strengths. He developed my skill sets to make sure they matched a leadership position. It really has just been support from everyone - my in-laws, my parents, my kids, my family, my husband, and then the people in my career, my colleagues. That support system has been everything.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Honestly, approach every situation like you've earned a seat at the table. Take your confidence and apply it in every situation that you have, because you do belong there. Whether you want to feel it or not, it might be a risk, it might be a fear, it might be something holding you back, but you do belong at that table, otherwise you wouldn't have been there in the first place. I also believe that the four years of college is great, but if that's not what your next step is, dive into a career, get a license, be an entrepreneur, start a business. I've advised my own children the same way - my daughter's going into trades as a welder, which I think is great because you don't see very many women welders.
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