Maureen O’Brien is a professional sales person and business owner who HAPPENS to SPEAK! Maureen is a real life, self-made success story. MO, as she’s known to her friends and colleagues, graduated with a degree in education. Her first post college job was in sales for a Fortune 500 Company selling building products to contractors in the Chicago area; not so usual for a woman. Gradually, she built the business into a formidable establishment in tandem with building her family of six! People were intrigued to learn the story of this engaging woman and her choice to play with the “big boys” in a non-traditional field. Requests began to come. Business and organizations were asking her to share her story. With close to 20 years experience as an inspirational speaker, facilitator meeting partner and coach, O’Brien’s clients have included organizations like the Mayo Medical Center, IBM in Rochester, MN, where she was dubbed “The Erma Bombeck of IBM,” John Deere International, and the American Cancer Society. O’Brien was named “One of the Most Influential Women in Business” by the Business Ledger and the National Association of Women Business Owners. She was also named the 2007 HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR by the Illinois National Speakers Association. In addition, the Women’s Leadership Exchange named Maureen “Sales Growth Guru” She is currently launching a new company called Celtic Connections—an Organization for Personal Development for Women with the integration of mind, body, spirit, soul and a focus on character leadership and ethics.
When you first started your career/business did you feel passion for your work?
Passion for my work … wow … When I first started in my career, I was a brand new college graduate believing I knew so much about the world! I was a salesperson for Alcoa Building Products. I was 21 years old and one of two women that Alcoa had hired in the building product sales division. I thought I was being hired because I was so incredibly bright and articulate. Truth be told, I was hired because Alcoa had been through an Affirmative Action Audit!! I moved from Pittsburgh to Chicago to sell building products to contractors and architects. I couldn’t even SPELL soffit and fascia, and now I was selling it.
When you first started were you able to visualize your final outcome?
I continued my path in the construction industry. After six years of success with Alcoa, but in a new marriage and not willing to move around, I left Alcoa and went to work for another contractor as their Vice President and General Manager. Shortly after, I had my first child. I really wanted to be a mom, but we still had a mortgage! It was at the time that I had my first son that I really began to visualize my life’s path. When my son was born, so was born O’Brien (that’d be me) & Son (that’d be infant), Inc.
What were you top three obstacles/challenges?
Lack of sleep (with a new baby), not enough capital, time.
How did you deal with doubt, fear, and self recrimination?
You know, I never really experienced this. My parents always told me that I would be the only person who would get in my own way. If I could stay out of my own way, I’d be just fine!
Did you feel that the traditional male dominated workplace affected you at all? If so, what did you do about it?
Are you kidding me?
Did you have mentors?
Interestingly my most incredible mentor was a man. When I had first come to Chicago, and I had no family or friends in this state, it was really scary. I went to my first builder’s association meeting in downtown Chicago the first Friday that I was here. The meeting started at 2:30 p.m., and being geographically deficient, I got lost many times getting there since I was traveling from Batavia. I arrived at the meeting very late. When I opened the doors to the ballroom where the meeting was, I saw 500 or so VERY WELL SATURATED men … who thought I was the ENTERTAINMENT!! I did what I do best when I’m exhausted and spent. I burst into tears. A wonderful man walked over to me and asked, “Who are you and what the heck are you doing here?” I explained that I was the new Alcoa Rep, and that I needed to sell something!
This was my greatest learning moment … he said, “I have daughters your age and young lady, you have been thrown to the wolves. But I want you to listen to what I am going to tell you now and never forget it … You are strong enough and smart enough to do this job, but you’re going to have to GET YOUR BIG GIRL PANTS ON and stop being the victim. I’m glad to help you if you’re ready to help yourself!”
I never forgot that lesson; held it in my heart for 30 years in this business. Last year, I finally wrote a book called, “Get Your Big Girl Pants On and Sell Something—A Handbook For Women (and Really Progressive Men) In Sales.”
Do you feel you were traditional in terms of your steps to your Optimal Level? If yes, if no, please explain.
I don’t think there is anything in an extraordinary life that can be traditional.
As you look back, what is the one thing you wish you knew when you started?
To Get My Big Girl Pants …
Any regrets?
Absolutely NONE.
Do you believe luck had something to do with your rise to where you are now? Do you feel you paid a price to be as successful as you are now?
I think luck is a combination of imagination and tenacity. It was lucky I guess that I was hired because of an Affirmative Action Audit although at the time I did not see it that way. I think the price that I paid to be successful was hard work and a willingness to build relationships.
What is the best piece of advice you have for other women on their way to their Optimal Level?
Know who you are really—what’s your I.D.™ (That stands for Intention/Deliverables)™
Do you have any other tips for career or business women?
Show up …everyday with the BEST that you’ve got. Don’t take yourself so seriously.
What do you think is the biggest mistake career/business women make?
Thinking we have to have all the answers.
Do you have any other tips for career or business women?
Set your intentions and back them up with deliverables.
