Her Story
About Julianne
My career journey has been diverse and unconventional. I started as a paralegal in the technology field, then took an entrepreneurial leap and started my own business in children's retail clothing. While raising my three daughters, two of whom were twin infants, I used an old laptop, social media networking, and my passion for helping moms find great quality and affordable clothing to launch a business.
I then moved into logistics at FedEx, where I concentrated on transportation, safety, creating a sense of urgency, and monitoring key process indicators to ensure objectives were consistently met.
Recently, my career has taken me back into a sale role in the automotive industry. I have brought with me all the skills I have developed - being thorough and efficient from my logistics background, having good processes from running my own business, and being good with people thanks to my psychology background. Throughout my career, I've never been afraid to start at the bottom or take on tasks nobody else wanted to do. I wasn't afraid to get my hands dirty and humble myself to work my way up, learning every step of the process without taking shortcuts. In fact, when I started at FedEx Express I jumped in a truck an ran a route for almost a year while
simultaneously training for management.
What sets me apart as a female professional is that I am not afraid to shatter the timelines for success or to go where women are not usually invited to the table.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Julianne
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the fact that I am tenacious and never stop thinking and dreaming bigger. Success comes when you get back up everytime you encounter failure, regardless of what your obstacles are. It also is forged through being willing to develop goals that are a little out of touch with reality. Those who can allow their imagination to stretch beyond what is in front of them are truly the manufacturers of the future-doing what has never been done and what many are afraid or unwilling to do.. If no one is criticizing your goals, then you're not dreaming big enough! Then find the fire
inside of you that makes you're willing to work harder and faster and longer than other people; that is what is going to set you apart for success.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My best advice is do not try to be what somebody else already is being in your industry. You have a certain secret weapon- figure out what that is. You might relate to somebody because you have a disability. Instead of harboring a mentality that it will be what holds you back, embrace it as your superpower. Be proud of what sets you apart, and just be genuine. Also, women belong in male-dominated industries. We don't just belong there, but we're owning it, because women bring a fresh perspective and often a unique skillset to these fields.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The internet is both a speed bump and a tool. People are able to comparatively shop, and that can be something that is intimidating for business owners. However. the internet can absolutely be an asset to you as well. Don't be afraid to lean into the power of social media advertising, the power of a good review, the power of keeping an online presence by posting twice a day on whatever your social media channels are, or to use AI. Those are tools that are really going to launch you into the future of communication and the people who are refusing to use those tools are the ones who are going to get left behind in the dust.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The importance of being a great listener, taking notes, and following up is what I think sets me apart. Preparation
is also huge. I always want to stay 3 steps ahead in my thinking so that as scenarios develop, I am already prepared with a response. The strongest leaders are not reactionary.
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