This year in honor of Women’s History Month, Roofing Is Celebrating Women. Let’s not just celebrate the women who are written in the history books but let’s also celebrate ourselves. This month, you will see highlights of women to be celebrated within our industry.
Jennifer Potter, Beacon Building Products
1. How did you get involved in the roofing industry? I started out when I was only 19 and I got a job at Cohn Communities’(Beazer Homes now) as a receptionist. I moved up to purchasing and that led into all Building Products and today I am 50 and still in the industry.
2. What is one of the key things you’ve learned about yourself that you wish you would’ve known when you first entered the roofing industry? To be more confident, as a women in this industry and not let anyone make you feel any less due to you being a female.
3. In the spirit of Women’s History Month, who in your life has been an inspiring female figure that has helped you get to where you are today, physically, emotionally, intellectually and/or spiritually? Good question. I have to really think about this one, there is not one particular person but many females along the way from my first job to the one I am at now that I have watched, listened to and all have been strong confident ladies and I have learned something from each along the journey. In spirit, I truly believe my Faith and Trust and Obedience thru the good and bad have got me to the place I am today.
4. Who is one of your favorite Women in History? The first person that comes to mind without having to even think about it would be Rosa Parks, she stood up for what she believed in regardless of the consequences.
5. As we know, many of the women in our industry are always juggling multiple responsibilities. How do you manage a work-life balance? Personally for myself I have to have some type of daily routine. I have to be organized and have a system that works for me. That way I can keep up with the NEXT thing that needs to be done. I have to be flexible also and ready to change the pace when needed. (especially at home raising two boys and a husband) LOL
6. Share an example of a time when you realized you were one of the first women at your job, school, family, or social organization to do something that had a meaningful impact or caused a positive change? I have a lot of those for myself, but I think the first time my husband realized how difficult this industry is being a female was a few years ago I won an award for an outstanding inside sales rep and the company took us and our spouses to Miami for 4 days and we had an award ceremony with all the other folks, and out of probably 25 awards there were only 3 ladies. My husband said he got tired of introducing himself as my husband (not an employee bc he was a male). That trip he really understood how hard this industry is to be a women. We have been married for 22 years March 5.
7. Share something that you have been a part of that other women can follow in your footsteps and pave new trails in the industry? I think for me I have those moments where I have been beaten down( talked down to, totally ignored, looked over,or put thru the test) by a former boss, or former co-workers , even customers(guys of course) have done the same. There have been many GUY jokes and comments in past I have had to get TOUGH skin and not take things personal and work extra hard just to prove what I have to offer to even get recognized. Don’t ever give up nor let the industry consume you. You have to have a strong support system (friends, family, spouse, ect.) to help you along this journey. Stay true to yourself.
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