Beyond International Women's Day: Highlighting Our Women Leaders
Foundation Finance Company Careers
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March 8th is International Women’s Day and we have decided to celebrate all month long by highlighting some of our amazing women leaders at Foundation Finance Company! This is a fantastic opportunity to be inspired by their journeys and celebrate the incredible contributions they make to Foundation Finance Company.
We're kicking off the celebration with a spotlight on our Chief Business Development Officer, Andrea McCullion. Get ready for insights, valuable wisdom, and a glimpse into a key accomplishment from Andrea's remarkable career journey.
What is your biggest accomplishment in your career so far?
I never imagined myself as a founder or entrepreneur. While I wasn’t the only one involved with starting Foundation Finance, I was the only woman on a small executive team. And I am STILL the only woman on a small executive team.
Helping to start FFC and bring it to the heights it has reached is definitely the highlight of my career so far, but I am also proud of all the amazing staff members I have helped recruit, train and grow. Some have moved on from FFC and others are still with us, but all have contributed greatly to FFC’s success and I hope I/we have to theirs also.
What is one or two things in your career field that you love most or find the most rewarding?
The first thing is the relationships I have built with contractors. I have gotten to deliver a lot of news over the years - some good, some bad - and I have tried to always do so with integrity and honesty. The fact that I have people texting me about their vacations, their weddings, their family … and asking about mine … tells me that I have successfully built relationships that can withstand the ups and downs of business environments.
The second is that I am FIERCELY PROUD of my Sales and Marketing team at FFC. My core field reps have been with me 10+ years … and many internal reps are near that. That is very unusual in this business but I believe strongly in taking care of people who take care of me and FFC. I truly have the best team in the home improvement financing business!
What advice would you give to your younger self about pursuing a career in your field?
Women are often told that they need to be less aggressive … or to smile more … or that people won’t like them if they are assertive. These things aren’t told to men. The home improvement/financing industry has been male dominated for most of the time I have been in it, though recently, there are a lot of amazing, strong women taking leadership roles both on the finance side and the home improvement/contractor side.
Having been the only woman in a LOT of rooms, I’d say don’t apologize for taking up space, for having opinions and for voicing those opinions. Saying “Sorry” or “I’m sorry” or “This might be stupid, but …” just works to undermine your credibility. You have earned the right to be in the rooms you are in … so don’t be afraid to contribute!
Throughout March, stay tuned for more inspiring stories and valuable wisdom from our incredible women leaders at FFC. We'll be featuring content that highlight their unique journeys, advice, and the impact they make on our company. Join us in celebrating their achievements and get ready to be empowered by their journeys!