You have to ask for what you want. If you want results you have to go for it because it is not going to come to you. Ask for it three times if you have to, but by all means, ask!
A history of immense success with the top corporations in the world, Jennifer Walling is thriving in her career. She embraces her entrepreneurial role with her medical distribution business as well her position as Co-Founder of Metapyxl.
Jennifer Walling is a graduate of the University of Texas where she earned her degree in Marketing. She always knew she would be in sales. The career path that she had envisioned was going to be in either in medical or technology sales.
Upon completion of her post-secondary education, Jennifer Walling joined DuPont and started her sales career in Omaha, Nebraska until she was promoted and transferred to a position in Detroit, Michigan. There, with the new opportunities she was given, she doubled the size of her territory. She moved to California when she was offered an opportunity with Medtronic. Afterwards, Jennifer Walling was introduced to sales of spine and neuro equipment along with capital equipment. She joined a company selling 3C Cardiovascular equipment. From this position, she went to G.E. selling 3D navigation systems for spine, EMT, and neuro systems to Alaska and eight northwest states. Her success level with each company awarded her at the President’s club stature for excellence.
The culmination of experienced led Jennifer to become an entrepreneur of her distribution center for medical devices since 2010.
As Co-founder of Metapyxl, Jennifer Walling has educated herself in the language of science and technology for her new business venture. Still under development, the company is creating an authentication software to protect creative professionals from copyright infringements and intellectual theft.
Where did the idea for your company come from?
The initial idea for developing an encrypted software to provide authentication of ownership for digital content came from the struggles my sister was having as a photographer. Tiffany is a fashion photographer in New York. She would sell her work to a client. They could purchase ownership of her work in its entirety, or they could contract for set-term usage. If they purchase a term contract, they have the right to renew the contract for a set price. The problem comes from continued use of her work after the contract would expire. We wanted to develop a platform that would resolve this issue.
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
I have to allocate time for both Metapyxl as well as my own business. For Example, I may start my week off meeting with doctors from 8-1. When I return to my office, I will have conference calls with developers from 2-3. I speak with my sister and our advisors from 3-6. I address any emails and follow-ups for both companies from about 8 until I fall asleep.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I break things down to small increments. I speak to advisors and partners. We work on each segment until it is complete. We google and research everything before things come about.
What’s one trend that excites you?
The things that really excite me are blockchain technology and A.I. I think both will pave the way to a new era much as the internet has. It is going to change the way we live, work, and relax.
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
What makes me most productive in life are lists, lists, and more lists. I make my lists, check off my lists, and renew the lists every day. It helps me stay organized and allows me to get a sense of completion everytime I check something off my list.
What advice would you give your younger self?
There are so many things that I would tell my younger self. But the most important advice I would give myself is to not take things too seriously.
Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.
I believe that life is about loving. Others believe that life is strictly about money.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
You have to ask for what you want. If you want results you have to go for it because it is not going to come to you. Ask for it three times if you have to, but by all means, ask!
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?
My strategy is to break things down to the smallest increments. For example, if I have a million-dollar quota for the month, and I have 21 working days. I have to know how many devices I have to sell at 5k each per day, per week, and then per month to be able to make my quota.
Then I figure out what each hospital does each month, and how hard to press to accomplish or exceed my goals.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
At one time I had a fear of customers not wanting what I was selling. I had a fear of not enough. I had to overcome it because more than the fear, I had to make my goals. Every month I make or exceed my goals. I still manage to pay the bills and go on vacations. I am grateful every day for all that I have. I do not come from a place of lack, even though I am not sure of what my income will be from month to month. Now I come from a position of strength.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
I think that if you have something unique that you’d like to sell you are able to get exposure much easier today than in pre-internet times. Etsy, for example, gives great exposure. Create what you love and pursue what you want. Don’t hold yourself back.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
The best money that I’ve ever spent was buying my sister an experience while we were on a cruise. I also joined the International Association of Women. It is women raising women up.
What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?
I use Click-Up. It is a project management software that keeps us on task. I can communicate with my sister and our advisors it does not matter where we are in the country.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
The book I would recommend to read is The Road Less Traveled. It is a good example to keep your moral compass.
What is your favorite quote?
Where there is a will, there is a way.
Key Learnings:
● Don’t take NO for an answer.
● Create what you love and pursue what you want.
● Don’t hold yourself back.
Connect:
Carlyn runs the day-to-day publishing operation here at ideamensch and interacts with our awesome customers and entrepreneurs. She is likely editing this with a cat on her lap.