Southwestern Advantage

8+ years in sales management taught me a hard truth: frustration doesn’t fix underperformance. I used to let anger take over, but all it did was create resentment. Everything changed when I started leading with respect and kindness. I learned that holding people accountable by inspiring through contests, incentives, and a shared drive to win is the best policy. Leadership isn’t about control. It’s about building people up ❤️ #SalesLeadership #MotivationalReel #LeadWithKindness

Reflecting on My Southwestern Advantage Journey: 3 Summers, Countless Lessons After completing three summers with Southwestern Advantage, I’ve walked away with invaluable life lessons that extend far beyond sales. Here are some of my key takeaways: Fail Forward to Succeed The more doors you knock on, the more “no’s” you’ll hear—but those who embrace rejection also find the most “yes’s.” Success is about being willing to fail and learning from every experience along the way. Mental Intensity Over Physical Effort After a challenging first summer, I realized that mental focus and determination have a far greater impact than physical effort alone. By my second summer, this mindset shift helped me achieve one of the highest growth rates in Southwestern’s 160-year history. Consistency is Key Every day is a fresh opportunity, no matter how the previous day went. As Robert Rodriguez wisely said, “Success is never owned, it is rented, and the rent is due every day.” Resetting from failures is crucial, but resetting from successes is even more important to maintain momentum and avoid complacency. Momentum Over Motivation As Southwestern District Manager Matt Ross taught me: motivation often follows momentum. Getting started is the hardest part, but once you build momentum, motivation kicks in—like a delayed turbo spool. As a mechanical engineering student, I’ve come to appreciate how sales skills are transferable to all areas of life—personal, professional, and social. I’m incredibly thankful for everyone who has supported me on this journey, including Karrine Houser, AJ Skalsky, Jacob Meyers, Jake Paulson, Gabe Mensah, and many others. A special shoutout to Seare and Yacob Mebrahtu, my first-year mentees, and the remarkable Red Coin organization for earning a top 5 ranking among over 50 groups in 2024. To everyone at Southwestern Advantage who impacted my life—whether in big or small ways—thank you. Your support has been a blessing and truly life-changing. As I step into the next chapter of my life, I carry these lessons and memories with gratitude, knowing they’ve shaped who I am today.

Long time coming, however, I would like to share with everyone the experience I was blessed to have this past summer. In May, I began my journey as a first-year intern with Southwestern Advantage a member of the Southwestern Family of Companies. I met incredible leaders such as Amy Groom and Joshua Hamilton who helped coach me through some of the toughest weeks of my life. I challenged myself to become a better leader, professional, and person in the future. I learned the art of selling, and gained invaluable business and career experience that prepares me for the competitive job market. Thank you so much to the summer I spent with Southwestern Advantage for teaching me what it takes to be successful as a young adult.