WWN by Anggie Salazar Ep14: Regina Davis

Hi Networkers! I'm Anggie, VP of Sales & Marketing at CROING l Creative Agency founded by Alejandra Salazar, and welcome to my newsletter, Women Who Network: Stories of Connection and Success.

Today is the last day of Brandweek by ADWEEK and also the last special live edition from the event. To close this amazing edition, I have a very special guest: Regina A. Davis, MBA She is the Sr. Global Marketing Manager of Pizza Hut. A Texas woman, raised in Houston, Regina has a large expertise in shopper/customer marketing, brand management/development, customer-centric marketing strategy and corporate strategy.

Why did we start this newsletter?

As I always say, networking has played a key role in my career, and I have found through many conversations that it is an area where many women still don't feel confident or need a little push to explore further.

At CROING, we are motivated to inspire and empower professional women to feel more confident in networking. We believe that by sharing stories and experiences, we can encourage more women to connect and grow together.

I’m confident that Regina’s story will motivate many women to embrace networking with more confidence. ??

Turning Awkward into Opportunity: The True Power of Networking

Anggie: Regina, let's dive right into your story. So, how has your approach to networking evolved throughout your career?

Regina: It has been a slow growth. Initially I always consider myself to be like a friendly person and it was easy for me to like make friends, but there was something about like the concept of networking that made me feel cringey at first because I didn't ever wanna come across as like I'm just talking to you because there's something I want that you have. And so it took me a long time to get past that and then ultimately realize that networking is a natural part of life and if you think about the way you approach the conversation, it really is, connection is at the root of it.

And so once I started approaching it that way to say it's another person that I'm connecting with and not looking for it as, ”Oh, I hope this comes out of it”, but if you just focus on the person and focus on the connection, then throughout the different connections you make, something will come of it just because of that foundational connection that you make. So, it's definitely grown over the years.

Anggie: I think that that's really important and I wanna reflect a little bit on the word “networking” and its power because for a lot of people it's a little bit daunting, like to hear the word. I've even had people that I've wanted to interview to say like, “networking has done nothing for me because of the way I look like” I've had that said to me when I've asked for interviews. And it is really important to understand that networking is also building community, is knowing each other, is understanding our backgrounds and understanding also how can we advance each other.

Because at the end of the day, it is important to be there for one another. And although I don't know you, like I didn't know you before, I feel like by sharing my story and for you to share a little bit of yours, then we can start forming a bond and that bond can be nurtured with time.

And then we're networking about also building a community. So I choose deliberately to put the word network in the title because although it's a community and we we're building a community, we need to also understand that words have the power that we print into them. Like if you think that it's bad, it probably will be.

From Small Talk to Shared Stories

Anggie: And Regina, what strategies do you use to establish genuine and meaningful connections and networking events like this, like Brandweek?

Regina: That's a, that's a great question.

As I have grown with being more comfortable with understanding, to your point about like networking, it's like building community and like how we eventually will support each other in our growth. And so the way that I look at it is I just make connections with whoever I'm around.

So it's just, you're another person, so I'll see you if we're standing in the coffee line together or something, “hi, what's your name? How are you?” And then just start to do that. And so it's not really even like a conscious like “How am I gonna go over and talk to them?” It's just no. And so if you treat everyone like that, then what I think the networking comes just the more through your conversation you start to realize, “oh, we're both from the same city, we went to the same college, what we both have dogs”, like whatever it is. And then that's where more of that conversation happens. And so my approach is just getting to know people and then what happens from that.

Anggie: I think commonalities and finding them in a networking relationships is really important. And I think it's the base of networking, like the base of it. Because if I know more about you and we have something in common, for example, yesterday I had this meeting and we started talking like the woman I was talking about, she had four sisters and I had two sisters. So it's like the sister world. And how was your interaction with that and how was mine? So understanding each other's stories, I think it's the most important thing.

Stories of Connection and Success: Regina Davis’s Edition

Anggie: And can you share a pivotal moment in your career where networking played a key role?

Regina: Yes, I definitely can. This was several years ago, so it was, it was quite a while back, but it still to this day is probably the most pivotal I've had. I had been working for a market research company and I had gotten laid off from the company, the company was downsizing and so I was out of work for probably about nine months. I was trying to really try to find out like “Where am I gonna go? What kind of job can I have?” And so in my city they have American Marketing Association, which is a national organization, the chapter in Dallas.

I attended some of their sessions just to like learn about different companies and just tried to see where can I try to, you know, find an opportunity. And at the time I wanted to really get into the consumer packaged goods space and transition there.

And I saw that one of the meetings, the CMO of Dr. Pepper was gonna be speaking. So I was like “Oh, I wanna go hear, hear him talk about the brand and see if there's any opportunities”. And so he spoke and there was a great speech. And so afterwards he was kind of standing around and people were going up and talking to him. And so I was like, “should I go like talk to him?” And then I was like“why, why not? Like he seems friendly, he's talking to other people”. And so I just walked up to him, introduced myself and I told him a little bit about my situation and just kind of said “Hey I'm looking to transition into consumer packaged goods and you know, I really admire the brand”.

And so he said that in a couple of months he knew they were gonna be having opportunities because they were restructuring.And so he gave me his business card and he said “Feel free to like reach out to me to keep in touch”. And so for the next couple of months, maybe like only like two or three times I did reach out and so what ended up happening is that at the end of December he had his HR person reach out to me about some opportunities. And then in January the following year I got a job in their shopper marketing team.

And so I was able to transition into that, but it took me being brave enough to walk up to him and just look, he's just another person. He seems friendly, just go up and introduce mysel in case there's ever any opportunity. And then a couple of months later I ended up getting an opportunity. So that would've never happened without me doing that.

Anggie: A: Talking about that answer. I have several key points that I want to talk about. So for example, being laid off to my experience, like I talk to everyone as well as you said you do. Sometimes when I talk to people that are not in a position in the moment, like the brightest position, like their CMOs or CEOs or stuff, especially women, I've gotten answers like, “and I can't help but tell them like, of course you have something to say. Of course you have, you know”, a skills, it's not about where you are right now.

I mean also when I reach out to people on LinkedIn, for example, like if I reach out to someone that's in a brand and at the time they had been laid off, they told me like, “I'm no longer in that brand. There's no use for us talking because I'm no longer there“and there's something in us that has a lot of value outside from where we work.And our network is part of that something. Because even though you're not in that company right now, then you have a network that you've built hopefully in your time and in your career.

So it is really important for women to understand, well, especially women because we're talking to them, but for women to understand that there is so much more than where you work or the, the job position you have right now. And it is really important to build, for example, a personal brand, a network and to build also your trust and your confidence outside of your job.

For me, for example, I'm very career driven but I also know that I have my personal brand, I have a network, I haveother skills outside of my job and it is really, really important because otherwise you're putting your value on the work that you're doing or on the company that you're in.And that's not necessary that you can move forward.

You can change your career path, you can do a lot of things if you believe in yourself and also in your network. So thank you so much for telling us that. And also I'd love to know why you came to Brandweek . How are you approaching networking, especially in this event? For me it's one of the most, like the bigger events of the year. I went to Cannes Lions Festival with the company in June, and I think this one is also a big, big event.

So you almost have to have an specific set of skills and a specific approach to networking but also, as you said, it's all about getting more knowledge and getting more ideas. So I'd love to know why are you here, where your expectation, there's only a day left, but I'd love to know more about your approach to Brandweek.

Regina’s approach to Brandweek

Regina: This is my second time attending the conference, I attended two years ago in Miami. And when I went to the conference the first time I walked away from it, like this is the best marketing conference I've been to now I have not been to Cannes yet , but for what the ones I have been this was just, it was just packed with content. Th brands that are the speakers are just phenomenal. The guests are phenomenal. It's very diverse with like who's represented at the conference.

And so when I had the opportunity to come this year, I couldn't go last year because of scheduling, but this year glad that it worked out so I could come back because it's just an amazing and amazing, amazing conference.

And to the point of like how I approach networking this year, well part of it is interesting because when you go to conferences like this and like your first time that you go, like you'll meet people. So then what starts to happen is you're building like this kind of cohort because then when people return and then they come back. So then when people come back and they may bring some more of their network, so then you're meeting their network. So it starts to form like this little family. And I had the opportunity to actually be part of a mentoring program with Adweek.

So then, you know, having all of the folks that have been through the program and it's like, hey, are you going this year? Are you going this year? And then you just start to like tap in.

And then for people, I don't know, like every day when I go to breakfast or go to lunch, I make it a point to like sit at different tables so that it's like, okay, do I know any of these people? Okay, well let me sit here today and you know, let me sit there. So then of course everyone, people are friendly, people don't bite. And so just make the most of it and just like see like, how many new people can I meet today?

And it's just, and again, we're sitting talking about everything. It's not necessarily about my business, if that does come up, it's very natural, but it's not like a pitch contest, And then you end up talking about your lives and your families and things like that. **

I met someone, we were both from Houston originally, which is fine. Houston's a big city. But we found out that we grew up less than 10 minutes away from each other. And on top of that, found out that our parents went to school together since kindergarten. This was from having lunch and just getting to know each other that we found that out. So now we're like, we must be cousins or something. It was just very weird. Her father grew up four minutes away from my mother like years and years ago. So it's like sometimes you realize from these things if you just talk, you just never know what you may find out. That even forges the relationship even more without you having to try. And then networking becomes fun because you're like, “wow, what other cool things am I gonna find out about people if I just talk to them?” So that's been the approach and it's, it's been great, like as it as it was before.

Anggie: Last year I wasn't able to come because my baby was newborn, he was almost seven months. So I decided to stay home and this year I brought him here.

Last year, right decision and this year right decision again. Now it's like a perfect balance having him here and you know, it's so amazing. And I've been also telling that part of my story to people that I've been meeting because it's important to me. And because it's not always like “I'm part of a creative agency, I'm part of this and that we work with these types of clients.” It's more about our stories, understanding each other. And I think that that's what truly forms a bond between everyone you meet.

When Vibes Don’t Align: Navigating the Unexpected in Networking

Anggie: Regina, can you share a story of a networking event that didn't go as planned?

Regina: Yes, I can think of one. This was actually a networking event that I attended as part of my job. his was back when I used to have like clients who were retailers. And so going to one of like, they're kind of pre-event. I was traveling alone, so no one else from my team was with me. So I'm in this room and my salesperson had an emergency and had to leave. So I was just kind of like at this event, like, okay, I don't know anyone, but I found that the group was very kind of like, these are my people.

So then I tried to see what they're about. Didn't get much response. And it's kind of like “Is it worth it for me to try to forge myself in the conversation or is it better for me to just kind of like of chill and do my own thing?” And so I ended up doing that. It may not have been the best decision for me to do that, but I just felt I have value and so I deserve to be acknowledged and recognized. I don’t think, I'm just better than anyone, but it's just “At least I deserve a bit of respect”

Anggie: Well, I have a specific type of vibe as you probably noticed, so I'm like, hello, how are you? And all of that. And sometimes I get met with a different, so different vibe. It is not like people need to be like at the same level of energy that I bring. But when I perceive that it's not the right moment to interact with that person, I'm also like “It's okay. Let's meet later or let's meet with other people that are more inclined to having a, a good conversation right now.”

Because at the end that's what we're looking for. And it's okay if you don't talk to everyone in the room. You know, it's also about vibes. So for example, if I'm network to look for people that are in the marketing industry and that want to share their insights or want to share innovation that they know or ideas, then obviously I will go to people that are projecting a type of vibe of sharing that with me.

So it's all about under understanding your goals when you're networking as well, and finding people that are in the right place at the right time as people say, because it's okay if someone doesn't answer the way you expected. And it's not like it's, eh, that doesn't mean that it's not gonna work for you that day or that the event is, you know, it's have that same vibe. It just mean that that specific person is not at the, at the level of networking that you are at the time.

So don't be discouraged by it and keep going because I think if you have your goals clear and you can find people that are the same, like easier in an, in an event and when you're not working and forming community. So I think that's really important because it's not about talking to everyone and everyone having the same feeling as your feelings.

Regina's Advice for Women: Start Connecting and Keep Growing

Anggie: And what advice would you give to women who are just starting their professional careers or are hesitant to engage in networking?

Regina: So for women who are hesitant, I would say first of all, again, think of talking to people as connection. Think of it as connection. And I love what you said about community building. It's building a community of people. If you watch people, you can kind of see like somebody else in the room who may seem a little shy, then it's kind of like at least you have like your buddy and you can kind of start with them and until you build it up.

But because the reality is it does take time for some women to like to build that muscle. And the thing I would just really drive home is you have to try. You have to try and even if it doesn't work out or if you feel like, oh my God, did, did I say the wrong thing? Just do it again. And eventually you'll find over time that it'll come become more and more natural.

And then as you start to see yourself growing that network and connecting with more people, it'll just get easier and easier and easier. And don't look at it because going back to like the connotation that the word has, don't look at it as like you're trying to get something. Eventually there'll be something along the way that you may get from it, but at the same time, there's something that you can offer to someone else as well. Because whether or not you're new in your career or you're new at networking, you have something in you that somebody can learn from, that somebody can gain from. So it's not just you taking, it's also you sharing and you giving.

And if you open up yourself first, it makes other people more comfortable to open up to you. So you take that step and that initiative to be open and then just watch how people respond to that and to what you were just saying, you'll attract the energy that you want and if you don't feel that energy, it's fine to move on and find who matches your energy.

Or at least can be compatible with your energy if they don't match it. Exactly. So yeah, that's what I would tell people.

Thank you so much Regina for sharing your incredible insights with us. It's really inspiring to listening to you and how networking has changed your journey.

At CROING, we echo this sentiment and have developed our Referral Program as a powerful networking and business tool. It’s a great way to connect, collaborate, and grow together.

Don’t forget, your network is your net worth.

Stay tuned for more inspiring stories in our next edition of Women Who Network: Stories of Connection and Success every Tuesday and Thursday.

If you want to be part of or propose someone for this space, please email me at [email protected].

Until next time, keep networking and growing!

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