The Next Generation – Jr. Board Member Interview
Alexis Herbert, Business Manager at Daymon
WISE: Alexis, please tell us about your educational experience and what got you interested in your career path.
ALEXIS: I attended Western Michigan University (WMU) and studied in their Food & CPG Marketing program. I’ve always had a love for food, whether that’s cooking, keeping up on the latest trends, or trying new restaurants. WMU offered this program that tailored to a real passion of mine, so I know it was right for me. The coursework and professors added even more excitement to my future career. The program offered courses that are directly correlated to real industry experiences, which helped prepare me for what to expect in my career.
For a couple examples, we had a retail merchandising course that required a team project where we were dedicated a certain market and were to research and create an ideal grocery store based on the market’s culture and consumer needs. We also had a Food & CPG Sales class where we were taught how to present and sell to a buyer. In this course, we had a final project where students would put together a sales pitch to present in a mock buyer interaction with the professor with a goal to navigate through rejection and make the sale. The program also provided students with internship, industry professional networking, and study abroad opportunities. The professors were beyond supportive and made me excited and confident in my future career.
WISE: Do you have any advice on how to best manage work/life/education balance, and some tips and tricks that helped you achieve your Food & CPG Marketing Degree?
ALEXIS: I think it is important to be passionate about your career and personal growth while finding an approach to prioritizing work, life and education that works for you. My best advice is to cut yourself some slack. Keep in mind that you will make mistakes and deal with stressful times, but this will contribute to personal growth. If you keep a positive and passionate mindset, you will set yourself up for success.
WISE: How did you find your career opportunity with Daymon?
ALEXIS: I found Daymon through Western Michigan University’s career fair as a senior. I spoke with Daymon and was immediately interested in their expertise in own brands. I’ve grown up being a private brands consumer. I felt there was room for creativity in this industry as well as overall future growth in private brands. I love the idea of collaborating with both suppliers and retailers, and being part of growing private brands. I felt this was a great fit for me.
WISE: What got you interested in joining the WISE organization?
ALEXIS: Daymon introduced me to the WISE organization, and I was very drawn to their emphasis on the importance of diversity and support of women and minority groups in the store brands industry. WISE believes it is key to have a diverse presence in this industry and it enables companies to bring ideas from people with different backgrounds and aspects to the table, and I couldn’t agree more. As a woman in the store brands industry, I knew I wanted to be part of such an empowering and inspirational organization.
WISE: How long have you been a part of WISE? Tell us all about what you’ve done within the organization.
ALEXIS: I am new to the organization, and I joined the WISE junior board of directors this year. I am honored to be a part of the organization. I have been part of leading an initiative to expand WISE’s presence to the younger generation. We want to target our future leaders and that starts in the classroom. I am working on a classroom to boardroom project, along with the other members of the WISE junior board.
WISE: How would you sum up your experience in this industry, and what advice would you give to those considering joining this industry?
ALEXIS: The private brands industry can be fun and creative. I feel that I get the opportunity to put forth my personal ideas and creativity into my work. I feel that I am given the ability to make an impact. My advice for anyone considering joining the industry is to not be afraid to ask questions and get involved. It seems to be an everchanging industry and it’s important to insert your ideas and ask questions. Find people you feel comfortable with to use them as a mentor and learn from them.
WISE: Outside of work, tell us all about yourself.
ALEXIS: I grew up in southwest Michigan and am currently located in Charlotte, North Carolina. I graduated from Western Michigan University in 2019 where I majored in Food & CPG Marketing. I started my career after college with Daymon on the Ahold Delhaize account and am still on the team today. I love to spend my free time outdoors hiking and jogging, cooking and hosting dinner parties with friends and family, playing recreational sports such as volleyball and basketball, and travelling to new cities and countries. I have a love for animals and have a temperamental cat named Habibi. It is on my bucket list to visit all 50 states and I look forward to travelling abroad more.