Career Advice from the Founder of BevSource
Janet Johanson spent 20 years building BevSource into a $250 million enterprise—one of the largest beverage packing and ingredient distributors in North America. Still a board member of the St. Paul-based company, she recently stepped down as CEO, which gives her the headspace to focus on other passions, like “using my privilege to help elevate others.” In a recent interview on By All Means podcast, she reflected on her entrepreneurial journey, and shared these career tips:
Build a network
“It’s the relationships you build early in your career that matter down the road. Every call you make, every dinner you have—those are your people in 20 years. Don’t discount that.”
Focus on adding value
“Don’t tell me grocery prices went up so you need a raise. Think about how you add value to an organization. You brought in new business or expanded a program? Now that’s a great reason for a raise.”
Know when to ask for help
“It’s a critical moment for an entrepreneur when you realize you are out of your depth. It doesn’t mean you have to leave; you need to get help.”
Not everyone is meant to manage
The best individual contributors are often the promoted, which takes them away from the role they excelled at and into management. “Those are totally different skill sets,” Johanson says. Not everyone is suited for both. “I wasn’t a good leader early on. It takes time and experience.”
Quit gracefully
“In the career workforce, do not quit your job and only give a two-week notice, especially if you are in a customer facing role – you aren’t working a fast food job anymore, and this leaves your team in a lurch. The people you work with, including your boss, will remember the way you left, and you can easily burn a bridge. Most successful people I know still have an amazing relationship with their previous bosses and colleagues and have recommended them for new jobs (for more money) when they move companies. Like I said, it’s the relationships you built 20 years ago that are the people that are around now that bring the greatest joy in your life. So when you quit, do it right.”
Listen now:
