View Other APPA Professional Women's Network Issues Print this Newsletter Send this Newsletter to a Friend  |  February 15, 2012
 

Greetings!  Here is the next edition of the APPA's Professional Women's Network quarterly e-newsletter dedicated to enhancing the women in the pet industry. 

The APPA Professional Women's Network's (PWN) mission is to attract and engage women in all aspects of the pet industry. Our purpose is to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, and to promote social and career development activities that can help  everyone achieve greater success.

This newsletter is just one of the many ways PWN  keeps everyone connected to information, education, networking opportunities, roundtable discussions and collaborations on subjects that can help women in our industry to strengthen their skills and grow their careers.

Each issue of this e-newsletter features a prominent, successful woman in the Pet industry. Our featured guests share experiences, ideas, successes and reflections on the role of women in this business. You will also enjoy a variety of great industry-specific articles on trends, marketing, finance, networking and more!

It's a great way to stay informed about upcoming happenings. For your convenience, we'll always include links to relevant websites and social media sites to help you stay cyber-connected too. 

Thanks for taking time to check out our e-newsletter. We hope you enjoy this issue, and each and every one that follows it!


In the Spotlight: Linda Parks

Interview with Linda Parks


Upcoming Events

The APPA's Professional Women's Network Event & Breakfast


Sales and Marketing

You Got Yourself a Deal!


For Your Business

The $1.6 Billion Woman, Staying on Message


Getting Involved

PWN LinkedIn


In the Spotlight: Linda Parks:

Interview with Linda Parks


Linda Parks
President

Lixit, Inc,
PO Box 2580
Napa, CA 94558
800.358.8254
[email protected]
http://www.lixit.com/

As President of Lixit, Inc., please tell us about the Company's roots and how your role become integral in the Company's success.
Lixit was started in Dr. Atchley's garage in 1968, located in Napa CA. I came to work for Dr. Atchley in 1971 as a buyer. We had 10 employees at that time. In 1994 Dr. Atchley retired and the employees bought the business using a qualified ESOP. Today we have 10 Million dollars in annual sales and have 105 employees. Out of our 105 employees 40 are adults with disabilities. The average tenure of our staff is 7 to 15 years. We are located in downtown Napa, CA and have a wonderful community that supports us every day.

In the country's current business environment, "Made in the USA" is a positive mantra for many companies. Please tell us about the challenges and successes you've experienced in allowing this mantra to become an asset to your company and the pet industry.
At the turn of the 21st century many of my peers in the pet industry that made hard goods started to off shore their products and or merge/sell their businesses with larger companies in the Pet Industry. Being an employee owned company the owners of Lixit did not want to sell their company or send their jobs overseas. For many years Lixit was at a competitive disadvantage. Today the playing field is evening out with costs going up offshore and Americans looking for the "Made in USA" label. With long term unemployment plaguing our nation I feel all businesses should manufacture anything that is economically feasible in the USA.

What are your thoughts and suggestions on mentoring - both as a Company Executive and an individual? Is there a particular mentor who has been most impactful for you?
As president of Lixit Corporation with 40 years of manufacturing experience, I mentor and work with my staff at Lixit everyday so they can continue the uniqueness of owning and running an Employee Owned Company in the Napa Valley. Lixit has a staff of very talented young ladies that are being groomed to take over the Lixit Corporation in the next decade.

I have had the incredible opportunity to have many mentors make a very positive impact on our success. There are too many to mention but I will give you my top 12: Dr. Atchley founder of Lixit Corporation, Pat Stewart/Small Business Consultant, Phil Arneson/Acquisition Consultant, Lori Helm of Petsmart, Robin May formerly of Petco, Theresa Barrera /Wal Mart Supplier Diversity Program , Randolph Parks my late father in law, Mario Callegari and John Prescott my bankers, Andy Deer former President of Farnam Companies, and Kate King former CEO of the Napa Chamber of Commerce. Each one of these mentors played an important part in Lixit's success.

Balancing the demands of career and personal life is challenging for everyone! How do you strive to achieving this balance?
Now that my children are grown, balance is much easier. I have always had a very supportive family, and my husband of 39 years takes care of all those things that keeps a family strong when I run out of time. I think it takes a team to achieve balance.

Business affiliations are integral to business success. Please tell us about the associations at Lixit - both with the pet industry and others!
Lixit has always been a very community orientated business. I serve on the Board of Directors for the Napa Chamber of Commerce and have done so for many years. Lixit has been a member of WBENC since 2006, and was Business of the year for SBA Northern CA in 2006. Lixit is proudly affiliated with these Pet Industry associations: APPA, PIJAC, PIDA.

If you were to quote one notable business person - woman or man - who would it be?
My husband has always been a big fan of Zig Ziglar and has shared many of his quotes with me through the years. One of my favorites is: "You can have everything in life you want if you will help enough people get what they want."

What is the one thing that most people do not know about you!
I would like to work for a Children's Advocacy Group in my next career.

 

Upcoming Events:

The APPA's Professional Women's Network Event & Breakfast

Topic: Networking in 2012: From Organizations To Internet, How To Make Connections That Last!
Date: Friday, March 2, 8:00am - 8:45am
Location: Room W209B, Level 2 of the Orange County Convention Center

Please join us for a very special networking event at Global Pet Expo 2012. You'll enjoy a complimentary hot breakfast and a presentation from our guest speaker, Stephanie L. McFee, PHR, Director of Client Services from NEW - Network of Executive Women.

 

Sales and Marketing:

You Got Yourself a Deal!

One of the most important components of selling is getting that YES. Pitching your concept and having the other side embrace your idea is crucial, but these aspects of the sales cycle are much easier than sealing the deal. Here are 4 easy tips to a better understanding of "Closing the Deal".
 

For Your Business:

The $1.6 Billion Woman, Staying on Message

Sheryl K. Sandberg, the #2 person at Facebook, has a message for business women: "...take responsibility for your careers... and urges women to "keep your foot on the gas pedal," and to aim high!" Click here for the full story.
 

Getting Involved:

PWN LinkedIn

The American Pet Products Association & Pet Business Media invite everyone to please join the conversation on our LinkedIn group. Simply click on this link and get involved - PWN LinkedIn
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