Her Story
About Vanessa
I transitioned into the funeral and cemetery industry 6 years ago after teaching Spanish at San Diego State University for many years. While I wanted to continue in education, I realized it wasn't well paid, and as a single mother, I needed something more sustainable. The industry found me, and I've been happy here ever since. For the past 2 years, I've served as a market sales manager, leading Spanish-speaking sales teams, which is something I'm incredibly proud of given the need for support in our communities and the tremendous growth we've achieved. My days are dynamic, filled with corporate meetings with people from across the nation, team huddles, developing people, and ensuring everyone has the tools they need to succeed while meeting our quotas. Because sales is very competitive and our industry involves helping families during stressful times, creating a positive culture where people feel happy when they come to work is essential. I invest heavily in hiring and supporting our employees because when you have that balance between caring for people and maintaining business focus, your success goes all the way.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Vanessa
01What do you attribute your success to?
I'm a very passionate and driven person with strong values at home. A big part of my success comes from proving people wrong sometimes, because so many people have doubted me, particularly men and even family members. I want to be able to say to my daughter that it doesn't matter what people tell you, you're gonna be able to do it either way if you want to. That drive to show her what's possible, combined with my passion and values, is what has gotten me where I am today.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've received came from my mentor, one of my previous managers who is now a vice president of sales. She told me to make as many connections as you can, because those doors are going to open for you. That advice has been invaluable in my career journey.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be coachable. If you're not coachable, you're not going anywhere. Be open to new things, and know that change is part of life. If you cannot adapt, then you won't be able to grow. So my advice is simple: be coachable and adapt quick. Those two things will determine whether you succeed or not in this industry.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
There are always challenges, and I actually see challenges as the best thing that can happen to you, because if everything was perfect, you wouldn't be able to grow. The biggest challenge I face is maneuvering people in a way that they feel loved and encouraged while still not losing sight of what the business is. It's about finding that balance. When you have that balance between caring for your people and maintaining business focus, your success just goes all the way.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are to be compassionate, to be driven, and to not take anything personal. I feel that there are so many people who have so much on their backs, whether it's an employee or a family that we serve. As I've worked here and developed myself, I've found out through meeting numerous families and people that we are more similar than we think. We all feel the same when we lose a loved one or when we're going through stress. So I believe in being more compassionate because you don't know what people are carrying. As a leader, you need to understand that if your people are not in the right mindset, they cannot follow you anywhere.
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