Mary Beth Brault is in charge of corporate and consumer communications at Hamilton Beach Brands. We were so lucky to have had her as a guest speaker at our In Her Shoes Conference last weekend! She taught us so much valuable info that we just had to follow-up and learn a little bit more about her!
Her Campus South Carolina: Can you tell me a little bit about Hamilton Beach Brands?
Mary Beth Brault: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc. is a leading designer, marketer and distributor of small electric household appliances, specialty food processing and food preservation equipment, as well as commercial products for restaurants, bars and hotels. Hamilton Beach has been around for over 100 years and is headquartered in Richmond, VA
HCSC: How did you get started there?
MBB: I started at Hamilton Beach because I wanted to go part-time. There was a communications job opened in the marketing department, and it mixes my love of PR with my love of food and cooking!
HCSC: What challenges have you faced to get to where you are?
MBB: The biggest challenge, by far, is work/family balance. As my children got a little older, there were PR manager level jobs I wanted and was qualified for. Going back to work full-time was a decision that weighed heavily on me. Ultimately, I took the promotion, but dividing my time between home and work was difficult. Now looking back, I believe my career and work life, ultimately were a gift to my children and certainly it afforded us things we could not have without me working. Being a role model, especially for my daughter was worth some of the sacrifices.
HCSC: What are your future aspirations?
MBB: I love my job at Hamilton Beach and I want to continue to grow both Corporate and Consumer communications at the company. Just 6 years ago, I only had one employee. Now I have ten. Communications and PR are such a big asset to companies and continuing to grow my team and our contribution to Hamilton Beach is my ultimate goal.
HCSC: Do you have any advice for women in the communications industry?
MBB: My biggest piece of advice is to hone your communication skills. Not just what they teach you in college, but personally. I can teach women and mentor, but I can’t teach personality. Show yours and don’t be intimated!