Despite only one year in the promotional products industry, Nicole Verspyck still brings a lot of value and retail expertise to Top 40 supplier Gemline (asi/56070). The company’s VP of sales previously held the same position at apparel brand Life Is Good. Prior to that, she was the director of department store sales at Under Armour, as well as the director of sales at Lilly Pulitzer. She’s also been manager of apparel operations for Reebok International.

“I attribute my success to a strong work ethic, integrity, curiosity, problem-solving and most importantly, building relationships,” Verspyck says.

When it comes to gaining new clients, Verspyck believes in a multifaceted approach: identifying opportunities in the market, leveraging data analytic tools to help target and convert those opportunities, creating a compelling product/service solution, and a determination to always be networking. “I’m motivated by walking through the Gemline office and production floor and seeing all the dedicated people that make up our great company culture,” Verspyck says.

Don’t let her boardroom exec resume fool you – Verspyck doesn’t spend all her time cooped up in the office. She values work-life balance. She and her husband once sold everything and backpacked around the world for a year with their three children – at the time, ages 2, 4 and 6 years old. She considers having the courage to take that journey her proudest achievement.

In terms of her lengthy career, Verspyck believes her biggest accomplishment is one that’s ongoing. “Developing people and seeing them advance in their careers,” she says.