While it may be true that there are some challenges for women in distribution, those challenges aren't that exceptional, says Judy Wojanis, president of Wojanis Hydraulic Supply Company Inc. in Pittsburgh, PA. "As in any industry, one must prove that they can do the job," she says in MDM's latest 7 Minutes With interview. "Then along with success comes acceptance."
Wojanis founded the fluid power distributor with her husband in 1980. "We were true partners," Wojanis says. And when James passed away in 2004, she made the decision to continue the business.
At the start, she believed that the biggest hurdle would be overcoming the stereotypical images of women that are marketed to everyone, she says. But, "I believe that I've maintained my femininity and also gained the respect of this male-dominated industry through the successes of our company."
The industry is changing. "There is an influx of women, and it's really kind of exciting," Wojanis says.
Listen to the entire interview with Judy Wojanis by clicking on the video below.
Or view the entire Executive Briefing episode, also featuring Rick DeLisi on creating the effortless customer experience, at mdm.com/executivebriefing.
