Bronco Spotlight: Megan Kelly
Bachelor of Business Administration in food & consumer packaged goods marketing, 2019
Sales Representative at E&J Gallo Winery
I sell, taste, and merchandise premium wines at independent and chain stores throughout the greater Madison area.
What is the most rewarding and the most challenging part of your job?
The most rewarding aspect of my job is gaining my buyers trust and respect and forming deep relationships. After a while you become like a family and every day you will wake up feeling excited to visit and sell to your accounts. The most challenging thing about sales is maintaining your motivation. Some days after you’ve completed all of your goals and placed some big orders, you still have to keep pushing and keep up the stamina because your competition is going above and beyond and you must consistently out work them. It’s a marathon not a race.
What activities, resources, or people helped you prepare for your career?
Participating in competitive team-based sports was really helpful because it taught me from an early age how to push myself mentally and form a motivational internal dialogue. At Western, Bob Samples intro to sales class really challenged me to get out of my comfort zone and gave me the skills I needed to form a meaningful relationship with any and all walks of life.
What advice do you have for students?
Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty and make some mistakes. Don’t be afraid to get something wrong. Every single person, no matter their current status, was a beginner at one point in their lives. It’s how we all learn. Just stay humble, focused, work hard and play hard!