PPB October 2017

Saretta Savage President The Corporate Gift Service Burbank, California Number of direct reports: 3 W ith six years of experience at creative agency Peter Green Design, Saretta Savage set out on her own in 1990 and opened The Corporate Gift Service, providing gift ideas and quality products to businesses and corporations. Over the years, she’s cultivated a small and talented team of people who work closely with clients to fulfill their needs for holiday gifts, promotional giveaways and corporate apparel. In that time, Savage has learned how to retain loyal employees by training them well, empowering them and celebrating their successes. “Saretta Savage is one of the strongest, most honest and hardest-working women in this industry,” says nominator Katie Kelly, who has reported to Savage for nearly five years. “She sets a prime example of what a boss should be. She is constantly teaching us how to improve our customer relationships and how to continue building the company as a team.” Nominator Lydia Eltringham, who has been at the company for two years, says, “Saretta is always pleasant, never heavy-handed; she asks for things in a friendly and courteous way; makes games for us when we set our targets so we get to do something fun; never seems stressed; handles things that come her way efficiently and effectively; and never makes us feel like we’re intruding if we ask a question. Then she answers the question fully so you understand it. The work environment is friendly with people caring about each other and the things in our lives, and this tone is set at the top. [She is the] best boss I’ve ever had.” Nominator Brent Selvog has also worked for Savage for the past two years and says when he first started with the company, she took him under her wing in a meeting with a large client and helped him learn how to effectively work with people. “She makes me feel validated, appreciated and needed,” he says. “I ammore confident in the work I do.” Saretta’s cool factor She is an artist and is so committed to her craft that it inspires those around her to enrich their own creativity. Her best boss Peter and Dawn Green; they gave me the job and let me do it. They appreciated my skills and gave me support in applying them in managing things. What managing others has taught her about herself The best way to manage others is the way I like to be managed myself. If you work that out, it’s a good guide. Her best advice for other bosses Only hire pleasant, smart, productive people who fit your office culture; teach them the basics of what’s been successful; then exude confidence in them. Saretta Savage, back row second from right, with her team members (front row) Chrystina Myers, Lisa Han, Katie Kelly, Marianna Elliot, (back row) Jamie Sarra, Brent Selvog and Cheyenne Savage. FEATURE | Best Bosses 40 | OCTOBER 2017 |