Her Story
About Olivia
Olivia Ward has built a successful career in the meat and seafood industry since 2015. After 25 years in hospitality, she transitioned into sales, spending five and a half years focused on seafood at Sammy's Seafood before joining Halpern's Steak and Seafood, a chef-driven protein distribution company, where she has worked for two years selling proteins and specialty items to chefs across the Tampa Bay area. She holds two associate's degrees in liberal arts and general studies, earned over ten years at a junior college, along with her high school diploma. In addition to her full-time role, Olivia owns a DivaDance franchise with two locations. Her success is attributed to the strong relationships she has built with loyal customers, her networking skills, ambition, and drive as a people person. She has received recognition including Rookie of the Year in her first year at Halpern's and the Bright New Star award, shaped like a shiny crab.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Olivia
01What do you attribute your success to?
My success is due to the relationships I've built over the years with loyal customers and great networking skills. Being a strong black woman, single with no children, ambitious, a people person, and having the drive to keep going even after getting many no's in sales. I also own a DivaDance franchise on the side while working full time.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
In sales, there are three things: price, service, and quality. If you start wavering on one of those, you could lose the business. Always expect a hundred no's before you get a yes. You just keep knocking.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't be afraid to ask questions and set hard boundaries. This is a male-dominated industry on both the seller and buyer side. Always stay confident, persistent, but polite.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is competition with other broadliners, razor-thin margins due to skyrocketing beef and seafood prices, lack of product availability because of deals with other countries, and maintaining business while customers watch their spending closely. Focus on service, quality, and relationships.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Accountability, efficiency, and self-care are most important. Taking time for nails, facials, massages, and Botox because I've earned it.
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