Brittany Frase, 34
Vice President of Sales
HIRSCH
Houston
What is your superpower?
Candor. I moved a lot when I was younger, so I had to be adaptable to different situations and new people, which has served me well in sales. Honesty is the best policy. In a Type A manner, I feel like I don’t have a lot of time for things, so I get straight to the point, and we move on.
What does the industry need to do to attract and retain more young leaders?
The industry can do a better job in not just getting younger people in and asking, ‘How can I help you?’ It’s great that so many people want to help, but I would challenge those same people to say, ‘What are your pain points? Here’s how I’m going to help you. Is that okay?’
What keeps you at HIRSCH?
HIRSCH started me in the industry and it’s family. There’s almost an ick these days around saying your company is your family, but truly, these are people that I’ve grown up with. The guy that’s been pad printing is now the production manager and I’ve known him longer than I’ve known my husband at this point.
Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years?
Ten years from now, I hope I own an island in Tahiti. No, I hope I’m continuing to lead people not just in the sales world, but also to help them find their growth, whatever that means to them. I try to train my team to take my job, so I can take the next one up.
What’s the biggest challenge the industry is currently facing?
The industry has changed quite a bit since I started, and one of the largest changes has been that the transparency of the supply chain has become a lot more relevant and necessary. Buyers want to know that their products are being ethically and sustainably sourced. Suppliers are being challenged a lot more to make sure that’s a transparent process, and that’s only going to continue.
