Her Story
About Sherrie
I have nearly a decade of experience in my field, beginning with a business degree and a minor in early childhood education. After graduating, I started as an intern at Elle Magazine in New York City, which opened the door to exciting opportunities with BMG Music and Columbia House Records in Manhattan. There, I worked in the production department, creating hands-on computer layouts for magazines for many years.
After the birth of my daughter in 2005, I made the decision to step away from my career to focus on raising my family. We relocated to Florida in 2006, where I continued as a full-time mom. Once my children began preschool, I returned to school to earn my teaching certification, allowing me to teach preschool while maintaining a similar schedule. I spent just under five years in education.
Following my divorce, I reentered the workforce full-time. Through a connection with a parent from my preschool class, I was offered an opportunity to work as an assistant at B-Lynk. Over time, that role expanded significantly and evolved into my current position in Human Resources.
As an HR Generalist, I manage a wide range of responsibilities as a one-person HR department, including benefits administration, PTO management, policy development, compliance, and employee relations matters such as bereavement, and jury duty. I partner with a PEO, TriNet, and oversee all aspects of human resources. I am also actively involved in employee engagement initiatives, including organizing quarterly volunteer efforts through our “B-Lynk Gives Back” program, which supports the Tampa Bay community.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Sherrie
01What do you attribute your success to?
I’ve never really been a “woe is me” person. I always tell my kids that life happens to everyone—it's okay to feel upset for a little while, whether that’s a few hours or even a day—but then you have to pick yourself up and keep moving forward.
As a single mom for much of my kids’ lives, I didn’t have the luxury of staying stuck. I had to make things work and go after what I needed, whether that meant pursuing a teaching role or taking another opportunity. That mindset really shaped how I approach challenges—I try to turn difficult situations into something positive rather than dwell on them.
I also try to instill that same perspective in my kids. It’s easy to fall into the mindset of “why did this happen to me,” but that can quickly become a negative spiral. I encourage them to acknowledge their feelings, but not stay there—and instead focus on what they can do next to move forward.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
“Your attitude and reliability will take you further than your resume.”
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say the best career advice I’ve learned is to trust your gut. No matter what anyone else says, if something doesn’t feel right, it’s probably not the right fit—and you shouldn’t let outside opinions dictate your path.
I learned that the hard way in college. I was passionate about education and loved working with kids, but I listened to others who told me not to pursue it because of the pay. I went the business route instead, and while it worked out and I’ve built a career I’m proud of, I am still passionate about children.
That experience really shaped how I think about decisions now. I believe it’s important to tune out the noise and go after what you genuinely want. When you follow something that matters to you, you’re more fulfilled and motivated—and that makes all the difference.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I think one of the biggest challenges right now is the rise of AI. It’s not just impacting our organization, but businesses across the board. Tasks that used to take days can now be done in seconds, and that shift is changing how people view their roles and value within a company.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
What I value most is honesty, integrity, and accountability. Those are the foundation of how I approach both my work and my relationships. I’ve had experience in both large and small organizations, but I truly prefer a smaller, family-like environment where you can build closer connections and really feel part of a team.
Family will always come first for me, and that mindset carries into how I treat others. I believe in treating everyone with respect and kindness, regardless of personal differences. That’s something I consistently try to model, both in the workplace and at home with my kids.
Faith is also an important part of my life. While we’ve explored different religious paths over the years, we identify as Christians, and that foundation continues to guide our values—focusing on compassion, understanding, and doing the right thing.
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