Her Story
About Rebecca
Rebecca Whitaker is a dynamic sales and business professional who serves as a hybrid Administrative Assistant and Territory Sales Manager for Lions Distribution, overseeing the Texas and Arkansas territory within the flooring distribution industry. With nearly seven years of experience in the field, including two years with Lions Distribution, Whitaker has played a role in supporting the growth of a startup that has expanded from its beginnings to a $75 million company. Her expertise spans sales, relationship building, product presentations, networking, territory management, and business development. She is known for her tenacity, positive attitude, strong work ethic, and ability to build meaningful relationships with customers and industry professionals.
In her multifaceted role, Whitaker conducts product knowledge meetings, introduces and sets up new products in retail locations, travels extensively throughout her territory, manages expense reports, assists with hiring, and supports the design and development of showrooms and warehouse areas across six distribution centers. She also contributes to building maintenance and represents Lions Distribution at major industry events, trade shows, and broadcasts, including Surfaces in Las Vegas. Before entering the flooring industry, Whitaker owned and operated a hair salon for 10 years, an experience that strengthened her entrepreneurial, leadership, customer service, and business management skills.
Whitaker credits her best friend, Jessica, with helping her secure the opportunity that launched her career in the flooring industry, recognizing that with the right opportunity, she had the ability to succeed. Through hard work, determination, and perseverance, Whitaker has achieved notable results, including growing her territory by 23 percent during a period when the industry was declining and selling nearly half a million dollars in flooring in a single month. She encourages young women entering the industry to remain positive, stand up for themselves, work hard, and never give up. As a working mother, Whitaker also recognizes the importance of balancing her professional ambitions with meaningful time with her children, striving to build a successful career while making a positive impact on the people around her.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Rebecca
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the support and belief of the people who have encouraged me throughout my career, especially my best friend, Jessica, who recognized my potential and helped me secure an opportunity to prove what I could do. I believe that, with the right opportunity, determination, and willingness to work hard, I can accomplish whatever I set my mind to. For me, success has been about finding the right opportunity and making the most of it.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering my industry is to always stay positive, believe in themselves, and never allow anyone to take advantage of them or diminish their worth. Work hard, remain determined, and stay true to your goals. Most importantly, never give up, even when challenges arise, because perseverance and a strong work ethic can help you achieve your goals.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges I face is balancing my professional responsibilities with motherhood. I am passionate about my work and want to dedicate as much time as possible to growing my business, while also making sure I am present and able to spend meaningful time with my children. At the same time, the opportunities in my field are endless. I have the opportunity to continue expanding the business, grow it from its beginnings into a $75 million company, build financial success, and connect with people from all backgrounds.
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