Adrienne Barker, MAS
Corporate Vice President, Barker Specialty Company, Cheshire, Conn.
Years of experience: 30+
An average day: Emails are checked 24/7-let's put that on the table right now. There is no time except when I am sleeping that I am not checking my emails. I try to balance my time between sales calls, events to attend and office time working on presentations, entering orders, artwork and following up with clients. I leave some time each day for personal marketing to my clients while making sure that I add new business cards to my LinkedIn and my contact list. I'm active on social media daily to make sure I keep up my online presence. I also try to read one new industry-related article each day so I stay up-to-date with what is happening in our "promo" world.
How she got her start: I got my start in the industry at 20 when my dad asked me to come into the business and work with my brother Gerry to learn the [ropes].
Her advice to women just starting out in the industry: Always be true to yourself. Know the industry and be proud of the services we offer. Most importantly, make sure you get to know your suppliers, their reps and their team that is there to help you. The suppliers will help you grow your business.
- People:
- Michael Cornnell