PPB September 2021

Sabrina Franz, CAS Age 35 Outside Sales Manager SnugZ USA Minneapolis, Minnesota F our years ago, Sabrina Franz, CAS, was working in liquor sales servicing on-premise accounts in the Twin Cities. In her six years of selling well-known brands such as Diageo, Bacardi USA and Red Bull, she became familiar with the promotional products industry, since half of her responsibilities entailed merchandising for large events in the area. When she saw a local job posting for an outside territory rep position at West Jordan, Utah-based supplier SnugZ USA, she was intrigued because it offered everything she loved about her current job without the required evening events. After an initial interview with Sydra Newell, business development manager at SnugZ, she was even more convinced it was the right move. “Sydra was really the person who sealed the deal for me,” says Franz. “I could not have asked for a more amazing woman to interview and chat with about the industry.” Nominator Brittany David, MAS+, chief revenue officer and a 2014 PPB Rising Star, says, “I get to see Sabrina’s work firsthand since we work together at SnugZ and she impresses me every day. She is a true leader. Her humble demeaner does not seek out recognition for herself, but she leads with kindness and inspires others around her through her motivation and collaboration.” Franz is also deeply involved in the Upper Midwest Association of Promotional Professionals, and David explains that Franz's involvement helped UMAPP navigate in a virtual world by setting up UMAPP Friday Supplier Live, a program streamed on Facebook, to add value for UMAPPmembers and share creative solutions and stories. Franz is currently vice president and treasurer of UMAPP. “Sabrina has been in the industry around four years and almost immediately jumped in and got involved in her regional community and quickly was voted onto the board. She brought a freshmind to their social media and member engagement," David adds. Biggest challenge in the past year: There have been a lot of challenges over the past year, to say the least. But I think the biggest was overcoming a fear of the future and my own self-doubt. Juggling a full- time sales job with two kids and a husband, who had to be at the jobsite every day through the whole pandemic, was stressful. I overcame it by taking it all day by day and giving myself grace if I had to order pizza for the family for the third day in a row instead of making dinner. Proudest career accomplishment: Being nominated as a PPB Rising Star by such a well-respected industry rock star as Brittany David is pretty dang awesome! Most optimistic about for the industry’s future: The technology we are now forced to use is exciting. It is incredible that seeing a customer on the East Coast in the morning and a customer on the West Coast in the afternoon is the new norm—and I don’t even have to leave my house. Biggest concern for the industry’s future: This industry is built on relationships. I hope we do not lose touch of that as we move into this new technology-driven environment. I believe it is going to be a hybrid of in- person and virtual meetings, but I hope we do not lose that personal touch of grabbing coffee and just chatting about life that brings us all closer. Inspiration: Professionally, the entire sales team at SnugZ inspires me. Everyone gives 110 percent and they are genuinely awesome, honest people. They make you want to be the best you can. Personally, my two kids. I want my kids to grow up knowing that to work hard and be a good person is the key to success. You have to lead by example for your kids. To accomplish in the next 24 months: One focus of mine is to have a positive impact on our outside team. I really want to be able to motivate and work side by side with them for a successful, positive next 24 months. Ideas to recruit and retain more young talent: More education to the public about the promotional product industry would be beneficial to recruit younger professionals, whether that is getting awareness at college fairs or young professional networking events. Once you are involved in the industry, there are so many opportunities for advancement and growth from all different kinds of perspectives—sales, supply chain, graphic design and marketing to the executive level. Best advice for them: Don’t be afraid to jump in feet first and get involved outside of your day-to-day career. This was the best advice I received when I first got in the industry four years ago. I did not really know what I was doing, but I put my neck out there and made it known I was eager to help volunteer in ways that I knew I could. FEATURE | Rising Stars 18 | SEPTEMBER 2021 |