Her Story
About Sarah
I'm the division manager for Republic National Distributing Company in the state of Iowa, serving as the state manager for this alcohol beverage brokerage. I'm entering my 19th year in the industry, having worked with multiple companies all in Iowa. I started my journey as a sales rep for about two and a half years before quickly moving into leadership roles. Working in this very male-dominated industry, when I started in leadership roles back in late 2010, I was one of very few women in the room. I've been passionate about helping people grow, whether developing sales talent, building supplier brands, or helping women in the industry see that they deserve a seat at the table. Over the last 15 years, I've built and coached teams to consistently improve performance and increase accountability. Leading by example is very important to me - I don't ask my team to do something that I wouldn't do myself or haven't done myself. I work alongside them in the trenches, which I've found is a way to create high-performing teams. Watching those team members grow into leaders themselves has been a very rewarding part of my career. We're currently in the middle of an acquisition, so I'm working hard to keep a positive mindset and strong morale with my team as we transition this summer.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Sarah
01What do you attribute your success to?
I think one of my proudest accomplishments has been developing people. I've built and coached teams over the last 15 years to consistently improve performance and increase accountability. Accountability is something that I feel very strongly about. In leading people, I believe in really being in the trenches with them and not asking them to do something that I wouldn't do myself or have not done myself. Leading by example is very important to me, and I've found that this is a way to create high-performing teams - them understanding that you are working alongside of them. Watching those team members grow into leaders themselves has been a very rewarding part of my career.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say that, as a woman, you can lead with both empathy and accountability, which is very important. Whether that's leadership with people or in sales, my sales team leads even though they're not in a position of management because they're out there running a sales route each and every day. I think that, as women, showing that you can be both empathetic but also having that strong accountability standard is very important. And also, you deserve a place there. You really can do it if you put your mind to it - don't ever let anybody tell you that you can't.
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