Women in the Industry is dedicated to spotlighting the incredible women who are shaping and advancing our field. In each installment, we’ll dive into the unique journeys, insights, and contributions of these remarkable professionals. Kicking off the series, we’re thrilled to feature Terri Grulke from Besser in an exclusive Q&A. Join us as she shares her experiences, challenges, and advice, giving us a closer look at her career and journey in the industry.
Q: How many years have you worked for Besser?
A: I proudly celebrated 38 years on January 6.
Q: Talk to us about your career path. How did you end up in your current position?
A: I was working as a media buyer for Highland Appliance, still punching a clock, holding a degree in Advertising from Michigan State University. I wasn’t challenged in the role but loved my co-workers. I got a call from a recruiter who was hiring for a company in Alpena. The position interested me, but I wasn’t sure where Alpena was…this was before cell phones, so I called my best friend and told him about the job opportunity in Alpena and asked if he knew where it was…he laughed and said, “that’s the town where we stop at McDonald’s to pee at on our way to Point Nipigon.” Point Nipigon was our destination for summer weekends…a cottage on Lake Huron, water sports, lots of laughter, good food, drinks, and bonfires with friends in high school into our lives early in our careers.
Fast forward, I got the job and the rest is history!
Q: What experiences and past roles have led you to where you are today?
A: Babysitter, camp counselor, ad sales, receptionist in law firms, bartender, waitress, market research, media buyer, friend, wife, mother, grandma, and forever volunteer.
Q: What is your favorite part of your job?
A: Interacting with others. I treasure the opportunities to learn about other peoples’ lives and discover what makes them tick. Collaborating on projects and accomplishing goals with others is incredibly rewarding.
Q: What advice do you have for women in the industry who are looking to make an impact or take that next step in their career?
A: This probably isn’t a good question for me since I’ve been with the same company for most of my career. That said, I always keep my eyes open for where I can pitch in, contribute ideas, or elbow grease. This allows me to grow and impact the company in different ways. But when speaking about life, to make an impact, you must first always, always, always be true to yourself, trust your gut, and be kind.
Q: What about your job keeps you up at night?
A: Very little keeps me up at night anymore except early flights – I always think I’m going to oversleep my alarm or my alarm isn’t going to go off.
Q: What is the biggest career challenge you had to overcome?
A: I had some employees early on in my career that were more seasoned than I was and I was a new manager who was naïve thinking that managing people would be easy. A few of them had interesting personalities and performance issues which were also negatively impacting customers and others in the company. The performance of those around them needed to be dealt with. I looked at more seasoned co-workers for ideas on how to handle them and enlisted many, many phone calls to my dad for his advice.
Q: What do you love most about working in our industry?
A: The people. They’re tireless doers – they work hard and play harder.
Q: How has CMHA played a role in your career?
A: CMHA has allowed me many opportunities to volunteer my talents to give back to the industry, help my company, and learn new skills. I’m hugely grateful for the many lifetime friendships I have with truly inspiring people from around the world.
Q: When you aren’t working, what do you like to do?
A: When I’m not working spending time with my family, my kids and grandkids, Colton, Kent, and Sophia is at the top of my list. We don’t need to be doing anything special – just being together feeds my soul.
My favorite thing to do right after work is floating in the pool soaking up sunshine.
Q: What’s the next place on your travel bucket list?
A: A long weekend to the Grand Canyon.
Q: What is your favorite hobby?
A: Participating and watching sports. Tennis, learning pickleball, wallyball, golf, cycling, and yoga. I’m hoping to add swimming to the list in 2025.
Q: What’s your secret talent?
A: My secret talent is baking chocolate chip cookies and banana chocolate chip muffins that we affectionately call Jo-Jo muffins. (Jo-Jo was a dear friend who passed too young. The recipe is hers plus chocolate chips).
Q: Describe yourself in 5 words:
A: Energetic. Optimistic. Competitive. Resourceful. Nurturing.
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