PPB July 2019

had no plans of switching. I heard somany wonderful stories about her supplier, so naturally, I wanted tomeet them. I called themup and told the owner I’d love to chat and see what his clients were raving about. His website had photos of all kinds and featured loads of equipment. When I arrived at his office, I expected the entire building to be humming with people andmachinery. But nope—he only rented a tiny office and didn’t own anything. He outsourced everything. We talked for several hours, and when I got ready to leave, he asked if I’d be interested in working for him— heck no! He’d just toldme how to do it myself.” Walls focuses her distributorship on printed products, like letterheads, envelopes, brochures, folders and even forms, and predominantly serves the financial, nonprofit, medical and educational industries. “It’s certainly never boring,” she says. “We never do the same thing twice, and I love the variety of my clients. I love getting them the perfect item for their events, and I absolutely love making my clients shine.” But she also keeps busy with her civic work. In addition to being a member of Rotary, Walls is a member of Business Network International and the Network of Enterprising Women, and she frequently involves her business in fundraising efforts for organizations like the Richmond Food Bank, The Salvation Army, American Red Cross, Virginia War Memorial Foundation, The ALS Association and the Alzheimer’s Association. And every Tuesday, nomatter how busy she is, you’ll find her at the lunchtime Rotary meeting. “I’m so fortunate to be able tomake a living doing what I truly love,” she says. “This profession has allowed me to have somany outstanding opportunities. It’s still fun—crazy, but fun.” Can you share with us a campaign that you have been involved with? I work with a bank that has a woman’s group called P.O.W.E.R., which is all about embracing your personal power. I found the perfect “power” bar—a charging station for electronic devices—from supplier Twintech Industry, Inc. It looked like an edible power bar that youmight take the wrapper off and eat! It was a huge hit. The packaging for this product was absolutely perfect. On the wrapper we also included photos of some of the group’s powerful women. Tell us about your experience being the first female president of the Rotary Club of Richmond. I love, love, love my Rotary experience. I’ve set my calendar around Tuesday lunchmeetings for the past 24 years. It’s one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. My two bosses at Richmond Office Supply were bothmembers of the Rotary Club of Richmond. Every Tuesday, nomatter how busy we were in the store, they left for lunch. Women were not allowed in Rotary at the time—not until the 1980s. Yes, it was a “good old boys” club, and I heard the ceiling crack a bit when I joined. Being a member of our club was and is still an honor. I get goosebumps every Tuesday when we say the Pledge of Allegiance and offer an invocation. When I was asked by the past presidents to run for the office, I was warned that I probably wouldn’t get the “This profession has allowed me to have so many outstanding opportunities. It’s still fun—crazy, but fun.” —Jeanne Walls Above, left: Walls started the Bucks4Boobs fundraiser, which she holds annually, to raise money for Susan G. Komen. Above, right: a “power bar” with a wrapper resembling an energy bar snack food that Walls helped design as part of a campaign to promote empowerment. | JULY 2019 | 81 CONNECT