Her Story
About Tessa
Tessa Blocker serves as Business Development Executive specializing in Tech and IT Sales for Staples Technology Services. With three and a half years in the tech sales industry, she previously worked as a Business Development Manager at BBSI and District Manager at ADP. Blocker earned her Bachelor of Art from Portland State University. She attributes her professional success to grit and the sportsmanship developed through her commitment to swimming from ages 6 to 19, which helped her return to a path of achievement after a period away from academia. Her notable awards include the Customer Service Award, Pace Setters 2022 at ADP, Best Service Quality Index at Enterprise in September 2018. Blocker values doing what you say you are going to do, showing up, building relationships, and the mind and body connection. She advises that driven individuals can succeed by taking necessary steps, knowing their number, and being realistic with their time and energy. She sees constant change in her field as both a challenge and an opportunity to evolve and adapt.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Tessa
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to grit and my sportsmanship from being a committed swimmer from ages 6 to 19. When I got away from academia and took a different path, I remembered what success felt like as an accomplished swimmer and good student, which helped me return to the path of success.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
A friend told me when I was in a lull that I was smart, capable and that I should go get a job in business because I could be successful. The point was that obstacles can be self-created and you have to break down those barriers, understand you have everything you need to succeed, and just make moves.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
If you're driven and hungry, it doesn't matter who you are or what you look like, you can succeed. You have to take the steps, even if it means getting a job you don't love, know your number, ask for it, don't stop until you get there, be realistic with your time, say no to something so you can say yes to your future.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The challenges in my field are the same as the opportunities. Change is very constant, and as much as change is an opportunity, it's also a challenge because you have to evolve and adapt, which is exciting and challenging at the same time.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My values important to me are doing what you say you're going to do, showing up, building relationships, and the mind and body connection. I think that's what brought me back to succeeding, knowing if my body could do it, my mind could do it, and the interplay between the two.
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