Her Story
About Kimberly
I've been in sales and technology for about 14-15 years now. I actually got my degree in marketing in Wilmington, North Carolina, with a minor in psychology, because I was intrigued by the psychology aspect of marketing - how if you use ads correctly, you could grab certain people and tailor to their needs. Marketing was where I wanted to go, but sales were the only job openings at the time. Now marketing helps with my sales pitch, but I honestly don't use a lick of marketing anymore - I have a marketing team that handles it, and I just get to give my opinion. What I learned about psychology still applies though - you have to find out what makes clients happy or doesn't make them happy, what to talk about or what not to talk about. My boss Richard Miller has been there since day one, pretty much, minus a couple years. I came in knowing the industry, but he has taught me the way, what to know, when to know, and who to know. You can't know everything, but you need to know the right people, and you also need to make sure you know the basics so that the client doesn't question your expertise or knowledge. My personality is very blunt and not a lot of fluff - I like to get straight to the point and fix it, and then we can have fun afterwards.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kimberly
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to grinding. I don't work the normal 9 to 5 - I work East Coast, West Coast. If a client calls me at 10pm and they need help, I'm on it. So it's not the normal business hours for me. I'm open to all the possibilities that come my way, and I don't take it for granted. My personality is very blunt and not a lot of fluff - I like to get straight to the point and fix it, and then we can have fun afterwards. You put your head down and you strive through it. You have a really good calendar, you're really good at note-taking, and you just take each task as it comes, and you just breathe, honestly. There's nothing to do it but just do it.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Speak your mind, and don't be afraid to speak your mind, and speak up. Confidence is key. When you lack it, they can feel it, and they can smell it. You can't know everything, but you need to know the right people, and you also need to make sure you know the basics so that the client doesn't question your expertise or knowledge.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My biggest value is loyalty and honesty. I believe in being transparent and honest with people - we're all human. Balancing is the key word when it comes to wearing multiple hats, though I don't know if I actually do it. You put your head down and you strive through it. You have a really good calendar, you're really good at note-taking, and you just take each task as it comes, and you just breathe. The advice I would give my younger self is to come up for air a little bit - it's okay to take a vacation here and now and then, you actually need to hit that reset button.
Keep Exploring
More Influential Women · California
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.