Barbara Brown
CEO, MadeToOrder Inc., Pleasanton, Calif.
Years of experience: 27
An average day: Alarm goes off, I try to get an hour of exercise in first thing so I feel good for the rest of the day. Check overnight email, then head into the office. I do work with a "high" and "normal" task list throughout the day. But as everyone knows, many times you get waylaid by fires that need to be attended to immediately. The best part of my day is working with all the delightful and hardworking people at MadeToOrder (MTO). After the workday, like all mothers, I race home and figure out what to make for dinner.
How she got her start: When I first moved to the Bay Area from Chicago, I worked as a salesperson for a supplier company, Shaw Umbrella Co. Later, for distributor firm The Harwood Company, and now MTO.
Her advice to women just starting out: Recently, we hired four bright, smart, young ladies at MTO. I look at them and I think they have so much opportunity in this business. They are learning the business currently by working in the back office, but after some experience and gained knowledge they will be able to work in any aspect of the business, whether they choose to manage the business behind-the-scenes or build a book of business as a sales partner.
- People:
- Michael Cornnell