Her Story
About Tammie
I have more than 30 years of experience in the retail graphic printing industry, including approximately 20 years as a Senior Account Executive. Earlier in my career, I served as a Visual Director, which provides a unique and valuable perspective in my current role. I currently manage key accounts for Belk Department Stores, Hibbett, and Carter’s, supporting both strategic promotional initiatives and permanent décor programs.
What differentiates my approach is that I am not solely sales-focused. My background as a Visual Director allows me to understand that retail graphics must be not only visually compelling, but also highly functional, scalable, and effective across thousands of store environments—not just a single prototype. This experience enables me to serve as a true strategic partner to my clients. I am genuinely passionate about my work and take pride in delivering solutions that support both brand vision and in-store execution.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Tammie
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to several key factors, beginning with a strong work ethic and a commitment to truly listening to my clients’ needs. Rather than prescribing solutions, I focus on understanding their objectives and challenges. I also take a strategic, forward-looking approach—anticipating what clients may require next and preparing for what lies ahead, rather than reacting only to immediate needs. This proactive mindset has been instrumental in building and sustaining long-term client relationships.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
One of the most valuable pieces of career advice I received was to embrace management by objectives and take full accountability for my individual contributions to the organization’s overall success. This approach taught me the importance of clearly defining goals, measuring outcomes, and understanding how my role directly impacts broader business results. By holding myself accountable—not only for my performance, but also for how my efforts support team and company objectives—I developed a stronger sense of ownership, discipline, and strategic focus. This mindset has guided my decision-making throughout my career and has been instrumental in driving consistent results and long-term success.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The most valuable career advice I can offer is, “Don’t skip the experience.” In today’s environment, many young professionals are eager to begin their careers in senior roles with rapid financial rewards, but there is tremendous value in gaining experience along the way. Early-career challenges, hands-on work, and learning the fundamentals often build the skills, perspective, and resilience that shape long-term success. I share this advice frequently with young women, in particular, because experience teaches lessons you cannot learn otherwise—you don’t know what you don’t know, and those early experiences often become the foundation for future leadership.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in the retail graphic printing industry today is the absence of clearly defined norms. Traditional standards and predictable trends have largely disappeared, creating an environment where “anything goes.” As a result, it has become more difficult to identify target markets and define consistent retail trends, as consumer preferences are increasingly fragmented and rapidly evolving.
A clear example of this shift can be seen with Hibbett. For many years, the brand was firmly positioned as a traditional sporting goods retailer. Over the past decade, however, it has evolved into a fashion-forward athletic lifestyle brand—a significant transformation that reflects broader changes in the retail landscape.
Given this level of variability, a key part of my role is helping guide clients through these changes by developing visual strategies that align with their evolving brand identity while still resonating with their customers. Providing clarity, direction, and consistency through impactful visuals is essential in helping retailers navigate this unpredictable environment and remain relevant.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that matter most to me—both professionally and personally—are honesty, respect, and follow-through. These principles form the foundation of how I conduct myself in every aspect of my life. I believe that lasting relationships and meaningful success cannot be achieved without being honest, treating others with respect, and consistently honoring commitments. Leading with integrity and accountability not only builds trust, but also creates stronger partnerships and long-term results.
Keep Exploring
More Influential Women · Georgia
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.