When I joined Balata, my professional background was anything but typical. With experience spanning healthcare, collegiate tennis coaching, and hospitality, my journey into sales is far from the norm. While many envision sales professionals with degrees in marketing, business, or finance, my unconventional path has equipped me with a unique skill set that has proven invaluable in the fast-paced, relationship-driven world of sales. In this post, I’ll share how my diverse professional experiences prepared me for success in sales and why the skills I gained prior have translated perfectly into my career with Balata.
Lessons from Healthcare: Building Trust Through Empathy
My academic journey began with a Health Science degree from Baylor University, followed by a Master’s in Public Health. My goal at the time was to work for the CDC, creating practical ways for Americans to lead healthier lives. During this pursuit, I worked with a CDC extension, the National Environmental Health Association, which exposed me to individuals from all walks of life.
In healthcare, clear and sensitive communication is essential, as is the ability to build trust quickly. These principles are equally critical in sales, where clients need to feel understood and confident in your ability to meet their needs. While my time in healthcare was brief, the lessons of empathy and trust-building remain foundational to how I approach relationships today.
Collegiate Coaching: Perspective and Personalization
I was fortunate to return to Baylor University as an assistant coach for the men’s tennis team during the 2022-2023 season. Having been part of this program for four years as both an undergraduate and graduate student, it had already changed my life in countless ways. Coaching, however, brought entirely new perspectives.
Two key lessons stand out from my time coaching:
- Farsighted Perspective: When you take the racquet out of your hand and watch a match from the sidelines, you see the game in a completely different light. As a player, it’s easy to develop tunnel vision during intense moments, but as a coach, you gain a broader perspective. This ability to step back and see the bigger picture has been instrumental in sales, allowing me to assess situations objectively and respond effectively.
- Tailored Approaches: Tennis is unique in that it brings together players from every continent (except Antarctica). To motivate and connect with each individual, I learned to listen carefully, understand their drivers, and adapt my approach to suit their needs. This personalized approach is now central to how I interact with clients, ensuring that I meet them where they are and provide solutions that truly resonate.
Hospitality: Excellence in Every Interaction
In hospitality, providing exceptional service is non-negotiable. Whether managing a team or interacting with guests, I learned to anticipate needs, solve problems quickly, and create positive experiences for coworkers and customers alike. These skills are directly transferable to sales, where anticipating client needs and delivering a seamless experience are paramount.
One pivotal lesson I learned in hospitality is, “How you do anything is how you do everything.” Cutting corners in one area often leads to shortcuts elsewhere. A mentor at this job held me to a high standard of excellence, not just in work-related tasks but in everything I did. This discipline and diligence have become core to my sales approach, ensuring that I consistently deliver for clients and exceed expectations.
Why Balata?
While my professional journey may seem unconventional for a career in sales, the lessons I learned in healthcare, coaching, and hospitality have shaped me into a more effective, empathetic, and results-driven sales professional. Over the past few months, I’ve leaned heavily on these past experiences as I’ve navigated my role at Balata. 
What sets Balata apart is its commitment to valuing individuals over numbers. If the company had been searching for a cookie-cutter hire, I wouldn’t be here. But Balata’s focus on relationships and unique perspectives is what allows us to go further. I’m proud to be part of a team that prioritizes people above all else—and I’m excited to continue growing and contributing to this incredible organization.
If you’re interested in connecting, feel free to reach out at [email protected].