How I Accelerated My Channel Sales Success as a Hispanic Woman (And How You Can Too)

When I think about DEI, I'm reminded of the 2017 viral video, “Social Inequalities Explained in a $100 Race.”

I encourage you to watch, but the takeaway is this: In the race for success, the starting lines are not the same for everyone. As a Hispanic Woman, I understand this well. In many aspects of life, your unique traits can present challenges, making it tough to get started or feel like you have a fair chance.

That said, I’ve found there are ways to accelerate your success by taking advantage of resources and mentors cheering you on from the sidelines. Here’s my story:

I was once a teen mom from a low-economic background, but I managed to graduate college — a significant accomplishment given that less than 2% of Mexican-American females graduated college at that time. Life happened and I got married and became a stay-at-home mom for a decade.

Before I knew it, I was a middle-aged, unemployed Hispanic woman. Though I cherished my time at home with my children, I yearned for more. So, I discussed my ambitions with friends, one of whom recommended me for a role as a channel marketing manager. Thanks to his referral, I got my foot in the door, but then I had to carve out a name for myself.

Although it's still evolving, a remarkable transformation is occurring within the channel. Change is happening faster here than in the rest of the world. You can belong to any diverse or minority group and achieve considerable success. The journey isn't easy, but it's achievable, and I would like to help elevate women of this industry and explain how.

Related:Creating Belonging While Driving Sales Results

People often talk about mastering Channel Sales 101, but how do you start? How do you build a foundation for a successful career in this field?

Never Stop Learning

Invite your friends, women in the channel from all levels, and even those considering a tech career, to attend workshops. There are numerous partner training sessions available, and you don’t need to be a producing partner to join them. Sign up to learn about technological offerings and understand the industry's platform. One of these may ignite your passion and help chart your career path. To facilitate this, I've looked into local TSDs and found the following:

Related:The Key to Selling Technology Products to Diverse Communities and Cultures

Networking

Focusing on inclusiveness, women often face additional challenges, such as questioning their skills or appearance. Despite progress, unconscious biases persist. This can make navigating the channel complex. Here’s what you can do:

Related:How AI Can Accelerate Racial, Religious and Cultural Bias

Build Your Brand

Starting to build your brand takes time, but being consistent will make it shine. Here are some tips:

Lastly, I'd like to give a shout-out to Hispanic women in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. Many might not have considered a tech career, but let this community guide you. This article provides resources for those involved or new to the industry, and we always seek to help women achieve their goals while supporting their families.