Raised in NorCal and now stationed in Atlanta, GA, Jeni DeSpain is the Senior Director of Sales Enablement & Operations Process for Outside Sales at the Home Depot. In her three years at the company,, Jeni’s career has grown and evolved as she helps shape the business by influencing and executing growth strategy – across sales enablement & operations, onboarding & everboarding, customer relationship management, and much more.
Outside of work, you can find Jeni spending time with her husband and three children between baseball practice and ballet recitals, as well as making an appearance on the Peloton leaderboard.
We sat down with Jeni to discuss her trajectory in sales, leadership as a woman, and advice she has for emerging leaders in male-dominated spaces.
How did you land in outside sales?
J: I had built a career on virtual and inside sales, and with showroom presence it bled into outside sales. With a 12-year tenure under my belt, I was recruited to The Home Depot to support scaling their outside sales program and launching virtual sales. Being previously responsible for sales teams, sales strategy, enablement, operations, scaling – it really translated over.
Can you recall any significant turning points in your career?
J: Transitioning from a single contributor to becoming a sales leader was a significant shift. Having the ability to move beyond what I can achieve alone to really focusing on taking care of both associates and our customers was a big turning point.
Being able to speak to customer experience and associate experience simultaneously has aided in leading teams and developing strategies. By removing roadblocks, simplifying complexities, and equipping sales teams to be most effective, I found immense fulfillment.
What is the biggest hurdle you’ve overcome in your career?
J: Succeeding as a woman in a male-dominated industry of sales, in construction and the type of product that we sell. Early on in my career, I found myself as the only woman in the room. There were moments where my expertise and capabilities were underestimated and undervalued.
I knew I had to master the details. I focused on building a strong foundation of knowledge and skills. I pursued continuous learning and sought out mentors who could provide guidance and support. I made it a point to assert myself confidently in meetings and discussions, ensuring my voice was heard and my contributions were recognized. I am not quietly passionate about our associates, our customers, and their overall experience!
What do you like most about where you are at in your organization?
J: The best part of being in Outside Sales at The Home Depot is the unique synergy between our robust outside sales program, the extensive support from our over 2,000 stores across the US, and our specialized flatbed distribution centers. It’s really being able to lean into, lean onto and lean out of those stores across the US.
What truly sets us apart are our “orange-blooded” associates. Our people-first approach ensures that when we take care of our associates, they, in turn, take exceptional care of our customers, and everything else naturally falls into place.
What is something valuable a mentor has taught you?
J: I’ll flip this as not necessarily learning from a mentor, but gaining insight by observing other leaders or women who dimmed their light due to the fear of perceived failure. I learned from those who struggled to break through the silence and the barriers in the male-dominated environments. If I’m holding back how I’m bringing myself to the table, I can hinder the progress of myself and my team.
Be unapologetically and authentically YOU and be sure to balance with wisdom and tact!
If you could offer any advice for emerging female leaders, what would it be?
J: Embrace courage and confidence in all you do. Seek feedback regularly and find mentors who can guide you through challenges. Build a strong network and stay resilient in the face of setbacks. Embrace authenticity, stay true to yourself, and always pay it forward by supporting and uplifting other women.
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To learn more about outside sales careers at The Home Depot, visit thd.co/pro-careers.
