Her Story
About Lori A.
Lori A. Lotempio has built a career spanning nearly four decades in sales and negotiation, currently serving in media sales. Her professional journey took an unconventional path., She spent 25 years at Verizon selling Fios while also serving as vice president of the Electrical Workers Union, all while continuing her education through hands-on experience and professional licensing. Over the years, she earned credentials in hairstyling, insurance, real estate, and mediation, reflecting a career built on adaptability and a genuine drive to help others in whatever capacity was needed. After retiring from her long tenure at Verizon, Lotempio pursued licenses in real estate and insurance before ultimately transitioning into media sales, an industry she had first explored through three years of college coursework. Her success has been shaped largely by personal resilience; after facing significant hardship in 1996 as a divorced young mother, she drew on sheer determination to provide stability and opportunity for her son, a motivation that carried directly into her professional achievements. That perseverance, paired with a commitment to integrity and hard work, has defined her approach to business ever since. Today, Lotempio brings her clients decades of hard-won expertise, advising small and large businesses with a blend of honesty and respect, even when her guidance challenges their expectations. She is a vocal advocate for women navigating male-dominated sales environments, encouraging them to trust their abilities and let their results speak for themselves. Her contributions have been recognized through her inclusion in Who's Who of American Women, and she remains focused on staying current with emerging tools like AI and digital marketing to continue delivering value to the businesses she serves.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Lori A.
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to sheer determination. After facing significant personal challenges in 1996 as a divorced young mother, I became determined to give my son every opportunity, stability, and support I could provide. He became my greatest motivation, and I'm proud of the accomplished person he grew into. That same determination has carried through into my professional life and continues to drive me today.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I believe in approaching business with respect, experience, and confidence. When I advise small businesses, I understand my clients won't always agree with my recommendations, but I ask that they respect the perspective I've gained through years of experience. Sometimes advice is hard to hear, but I've found that being honest, even when it's difficult, is what ultimately helps a business grow and change direction for the better.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to women entering a male-dominated sales environment is to know your abilities and stay confident in them. Don't let gender or being outside the "boys' club" determine your success. Hold your own, keep your head high, trust your abilities, and let your performance speak for itself.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One challenge I navigate is how perceptions shift with age in sales. Early in my career, people sometimes questioned me for being young; now, I occasionally face assumptions because I'm an older professional. At the same time, I see my experience as a real advantage, since clients value the knowledge that comes with longevity in this industry, and I make it a priority to stay current so they know I understand today's marketplace. I also see tremendous opportunity in today's technology, particularly AI, the internet, and digital marketing. Compared to when I started, professionals now have far more resources available to help businesses grow.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that matter most to me are integrity, honesty, people, family, and hard work and my faith in God.. People have always been at the center of everything I do, both personally and professionally. I followed in my mother's footsteps. She was the first women to become Sales Manager at Metropolitan Life insurance in WNY. With her inspiration I built a career centered on serving and helping others.
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