Natalie Wilson

I attribute my success to consistency, discipline, and the mindset I’ve built through the military. Serving has taught me how to show up every day with purpose, stay resilient through challenges, and maintain high standards no matter the circumstances. Those habits shape the way I approach every opportunity in my life.

The military has opened so many doors for me—through leadership experience, mentorship, and the chance to connect with people from all kinds of backgrounds. And because I’m still serving, those opportunities continue to grow. The doors are truly endless, and I’m grateful for the network and skills it’s helped me build.

Alongside that, I’m pursuing business management to continue expanding my options in the business world. Pairing that with what I’ve gained from the military has created a strong foundation for my future and the goals I’m working toward.

The best career advice I’ve ever received is to network with as many people as possible. I’ve learned firsthand how powerful it is to build genuine connections—doors open faster, opportunities come more naturally, and you gain perspectives you wouldn’t have found on your own.

The second piece of advice that has stuck with me is simple: just show up every day. Consistency builds trust, momentum, and confidence. Even on the days when motivation isn’t there, showing up is what separates progress from stagnation. Those two principles—networking and consistency—have shaped the way I approach every role and opportunity.

For young women entering the sales industry, my biggest advice is to lead with drive and curiosity. Sales can be challenging at first, and there will be moments that feel discouraging—but those moments are what build your resilience and confidence.

Ask questions—a lot of them. The more you understand your clients, their challenges, and what they truly need, the more effective you’ll be. Sales isn’t about pitching a product; it’s about identifying the right solution for your client and genuinely wanting to help them reach their goals.

Focus on connecting with people. Strong relationships will take you further than any script or rehearsed line. Be authentic, and lean into who you are. Everyone has a different personality and sales style, and the key is finding yours. When you show up as yourself, clients feel it—and they trust you more because of it.

One of the biggest challenges in my field is keeping up with the constant updates to industry standards, especially in aerospace and medical device manufacturing. Even though I’m not the technical quality expert, I have to be knowledgeable enough to confidently speak with C-suite leaders, explain what changes mean for their organization, and guide them on what they truly need—not just what they could buy.

But that challenge also creates a major opportunity. As standards evolve, more businesses are looking to expand the certifications they hold or need extra support navigating those requirements. That’s where I can step in as their go-to quality resource and help connect them with the right training, auditing, or consulting to move forward.

The values that matter most to me are discipline, integrity, and building genuine relationships. Serving in the military has shaped a lot of who I am—I’ve learned the importance of showing up every day, staying committed, and holding myself to a high standard no matter what’s going on around me.

Integrity is huge for me. I believe in being straightforward with people, following through on what I say, and doing things the right way even when it’s not the easiest route.

And connection is at the center of everything I do. Whether it’s clients, mentors, or the people I serve with, I value strong communication and real relationships. Those connections are what open doors, create opportunities, and make the work meaningful.

I also place a lot of value on growth. I’m always pushing myself—academically, professionally, and personally—because I know the future I want, and I’m willing to put in the work to get there.