grateful to the Wilson Marine family for the opportunities, mentorship and support they provided along the way. What are some of the biggest lessons you have learned working in the marine industry? One of the biggest lessons I’ ve learned working in the marine industry is that relationships matter. This industry may seem large, but it is also incredibly close-knit, and the connections you build with dealers, customers, coworkers and industry partners can have a lasting impact on your career. Your reputation, work ethic and how you treat people truly matter. Another important lesson is that hard work and consistency pay off. Success in this industry doesn’ t happen overnight ― it takes patience, persistence and a willingness to put in the work. If you had to choose one memorable achievement in the marine industry, what would it be and why? My most memorable achievement in the marine industry has been obtaining my current position as Regional Sales Manager at Bennington Pontoons. Throughout my years as a salesperson and manager, Bennington has always been a brand I genuinely loved selling and believed in. Reaching this position felt especially rewarding because it represents the hard work, dedication and growth that took place over the last sixteen years of my career. Was it difficult to navigate a career in this industry? Why or why not? The marine industry is both small and expansive at the same time. Getting to where I am today has been a grind, but it was never difficult ― it simply required a great deal of hard work and dedication. Over the past sixteen years, I’ ve worked my way up through the industry, beginning in administration before transitioning into sales, then sales management, and ultimately earning my current role as Regional Sales Manager at Bennington Pontoons. How do you hope to inspire other women in the marine industry? I hope to inspire other women in the marine industry by showing that success comes from perseverance, hard work and being willing to grow through every stage of your career. The marine industry has traditionally been male-dominated, but there is absolutely space for women to lead, innovate and thrive. I want other women to see that it’ s possible to build a successful career by staying committed, learning the business and believing in their abilities. What advice do you have for women starting their careers in the marine industry? My advice is to be confident in yourself, stay open to learning and don’ t be afraid to start at the ground level. Be dependable, work hard and take every opportunity to expand your knowledge of the business. Most importantly, be patient with your journey; success doesn’ t happen overnight. Every step along the way helped prepare me for the next. Stay committed to your goals, trust the process and know that there is room for women to succeed and lead in this industry! What is your favorite place to go boating? My husband and I own a cottage in Hale, Michigan on Long Lake, where we love to spend our time on our Bennington! What are some of your favorite non-boating hobbies? Some of my favorite hobbies are playing soccer, hiking, riding our Polaris SxS, spending time with my dogs and reading.
REBECCA WATERS
SR. DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & SALES ENABLEMENT, FREEDOM BOAT CLUB, BRUNSWICK
Education: Masters of Science in Business Management, Bachelor of Arts in Marketing & Communications, Minor in Graphic Design Years in the marine industry: 4 years What first drew you to the marine industry? I came from the automotive industry, where there are a lot of similarities, but the biggest difference is the passion. In the marine industry, people are investing in something they truly LOVE. They ' re investing in experiences, memories and time with family and friends. Being part of that is what drew me to the industry and what continues to make it so rewarding. What are some of the biggest lessons you have learned working in the marine industry? One of the biggest lessons I ' ve learned is that relationships matter just as much as strategy. The marine industry is highly connected, and success is built through collaboration, trust and a willingness to learn from others. I ' ve also learned that while it ' s important to understand what makes boating special, it ' s equally important to embrace change. The organizations that will thrive are those that honor the industry ' s heritage while remaining open to new ideas and evolving customer expectations. If you had to choose one memorable achievement in the marine industry, what would it be and why? During this past year we’ ve been working really hard to elevate our sales process experience for our consumers and our team members, and it’ s been extremely well received, personally rewarding and the results have been outstanding. Leading the project from inception to fruition has been incredibly meaningful and motivating for the entire team. Was it difficult to navigate a career in this industry? Why or why not? One of my most memorable achievements has been helping elevate the sales experience for both our prospective members and our sales teams. Over the past year, we ' ve focused on improving processes, tools and training, and it ' s been incredibly rewarding to see the positive impact on both customer experience and business results. There ' s something especially satisfying about taking an idea from concept to implementation and seeing it make a meaningful difference. How do you hope to inspire other women in the marine industry? I hope to inspire other women to not get too comfortable following paths that others have already paved. There is plenty of room in this industry for new ideas, fresh perspectives and different ways of doing things. Find the white space, and if the path doesn ' t exist, have the confidence to pave it yourself. What advice do you have for women starting their careers in the marine industry? Take advantage of every opportunity to learn. Knowledge builds confidence, and confidence allows you to contribute meaningfully in any conversation. One thing I ' ve learned throughout my career is that our capabilities often exceed what our confidence tells us. Invest in learning, trust your abilities and don ' t be afraid to speak up and take on new challenges. What is your favorite place to go boating? This is a tough one. We have a lake home in Northern Wisconsin, so boating on the Eagle River Chain will always feel like home. Beyond that, some of
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