Amanda Koziel talks to Ashleigh and Kasey about the truth of working in pharmaceutical sales and her business The VIP Woman, a coaching and mentorship platform for women in business.

SHOW NOTES

Amanda’s Sales Story

-At 18 Amanda worked as a hostess for a pizza place, though she loved the job, she wanted to make more money. Her mom found an ad for a customer service position, Amanda went in to interview, and shortly after was offered the position selling high end cutlery door-to-door.

-It was this position that opened her up to the world of entrepreneurship and sales, giving her a great foundation for her first job out of college in pharmaceutical sales at Eli Lilly.

Pharmaceutical Sales and Creating the Right Tone

-It was clear from her first training that this field primarily hires a particular type: young, attractive women. While she didn’t feel any discrimination from within her company, clients tended to stereotype her intelligence.

-She quickly learned that the initial tone set was everything. Creating a professional rapport right off the bat wards off a lot of inappropriate behavior.

-A lot of the personality traits that originally get women into sales and be a great advantage can also be misinterpreted and set the wrong tone.

Leading a Team

-In her previous role as a Sales Director, she managed a diverse team of 29 people. From this experience she realized how much empathy, understanding, and truly wanting to get to know someone and see them succeed impacts their respect for you.

-You need to be able to think about the fact that something you might be comfortable with could be very different for somebody else.

Starting Her Own Business

-With a passion for coaching and mentoring women, Amanda built her business after noticing that there was a gap in the market for high-level leaders in organizations to receive unbiased support and advice.

-There are many things that can be uncomfortable to talk to your boss or immediate supervisor about. The truth of the matter is that you can never be fully vulnerable or transparent with the person that writes your paychecks.

-Bringing in an outside voice or perspective is also one of the best things you can do for your team or company because that diversity of thought is how new ideas form and innovation happens.

Connect with Amanda

-LinkedIn

-The VIP Woman

Resources

-Secrets to the Millionaire Mind

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