If you think small, that's where you'll stay. If you think big, you'll find a way to get there. My career started at age 22, when a Jewish family of merchants took me under their wing. I was straight off the tobacco farm where I was raised in Southern Virginia, and still in college, working part-time while studying fashion merchandising. An opportunity opened up for a buyer and they saw something in me. Things they taught me became a way of life and the foundation for my success in business. My goal is always to do the best job I can, which means I challenge myself in coming up with new ideas for growth.If you don't ask, you don't get. What do you have to lose by asking?My approach to sales and business development is to find the best partners, ask questions to find out what their needs are, and earn their trust towards a long-term relationship. Before entering a market, I acquire product training, sales history, demographics, and knowledge of the competition. Upon identifying prospects, I employ methods to generate interest and secure appointments. When meeting with customers, my skills include asking probing questions, listening to understand, identifying motivating factors, and partnering with decision makers. In working with vendors, I ask for the best possible terms contingent upon sales growth. My goal is always to negotiate a win-win scenario. Customer service, follow up and communication strengthen the customer's trust in me and often diminish my competitors. I am humbled when customers who "do not work with reps" partner with me and seek my guidance on new projects.Certified in the Huthwaite method of Spin Selling. Experienced in using CRM, ACT, MS Office 365, Teams, Zoom, Sharepoint, and Brandwise. Highly skilled at market research, data analysis, projecting market trends, creating presentations, and negotiating. Creative in visual display, promotion and merchandising. Believer of passing it forward by mentoring others.My personal interests involve art, music and design. I love to travel, linger in museums, visit historic homes, and enjoy different cultures. My greatest blessing is my family.