Meet Drew Hill, Operations Manager at Specialty Sales LLC
- Company: Specialty Sales LLC
- Position: Operations Manager
1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself, both personally and professionally?
I’m Drew Hill, and I’m currently the Operations Manager at Specialty Sales. I’ve been with the company for three years now, and I’m 29 years old. My role here involves a bit of everything – implementation, support, and leading. My strength lies in understanding the interconnectedness of all operations and keeping everything running smoothly. I got to where I am because I’ve always hated hitting ceilings in my career. I was in a previous role where I realized I was doing all the responsibilities of an operations manager without the title or compensation, and I knew it was time to make a change. That’s when I met Darrin Shillair, and we were on the same page from the start. Now, here I am, thriving in a role where I can continuously grow.
2. What do you like the most about what you’re doing right now?
There are two things I really enjoy about my role. First is problem-solving. I love using logic and figuring things out, which keeps me mentally stimulated. The second thing I value most is the freedom that comes with the job. Whether it’s financial freedom or just being trusted to get the job done without someone breathing down my neck, it motivates me. That autonomy is what drives me to push for even more freedom.
3. How did you first hear about EFBC?
I first heard about EFBC through Darrin, my boss. He mentioned a leadership program led by George Karavattuveetil and suggested I try it. The program aligned with the leadership responsibilities I was already taking on, so I jumped in. Darrin was the one who connected me to EFBC and their programs.
4. Can you share your experience and any takeaways from the leadership course?
The biggest takeaway from the leadership course was learning to trust my gut. George helped validate that I was already on the right path, especially when it came to team accountability. I had been implementing many of these lessons at work, but the course gave me the confidence to keep trusting my instincts.
5. Can you talk about taking the next steps from participating in the course to attending Forum Flex?
After the leadership course, Darrin suggested I join the Flex Forum group. I’m the kind of person who never says no to opportunities, so I went for it. It’s been a really fulfilling experience so far, and I’m glad I took the plunge.
6. Anything you would like to share that you have taken from your experience in Flex Forum so far?
Flex Forum has been a great way for me to recharge. It’s refreshing to be around smart, thoughtful people, and it forces me to sharpen my perspective. I’ve become better at looking at situations from multiple angles, which has helped my decision-making process tremendously.
7. Do you have any passions or hobbies outside of work?
I’m really big on decompressing after work. I like going to the gym, but I also love my downtime. After a busy day, there’s nothing better than relaxing and unwinding. It’s important for me to recharge so that I can be at my best.