Today we’d like to introduce you to Annette Bravard.
Hi Annette, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have always been fascinated by marketing and sales, and interacting directly with customers. From understanding the motivations behind a customer’s purchase intent to guiding them to the right solution, I knew marketing and sales were fields I wanted to be a part of. After earning both my undergraduate and master’s degrees in marketing, I started my first full-time role as a Regional Sales Manager at a leading kitchen and laundry appliance company.
I would go on to spend over 16 years at this company, steadily advancing into roles where I managed multiple regions and eventually entire divisions. After many rewarding years in the sales department, I ultimately decided to step into a senior marketing role on the CEO’s leadership team. There, I led an 8-person team and oversaw the marketing strategy for 7 major home appliance brands.
Next, I moved to a national window and door manufacturer where I transferred my time and experiences interfacing with customers into product management. This role leveraged consumer insights to improve new products, develop pricing strategies, and deliver effective market launch plans. I took on various marketing roles, learning how to launch products successfully and oversee the full spectrum of brand, advertising, and merchandising across 11 company-owned sales subsidiaries.
As my career progressed, I expanded more into digital marketing and gained experience across different disciplines while simultaneously discovering a love for leadership. I took on higher-risk opportunities, relocating for each one to gain new perspectives and challenge myself in different environments. These experiences set me apart and prepared me to ultimately transition into my current role.
Last year, I took my passion for marketing in the home improvement space to Anthony & Sylvan, a leader in the custom pool building industry. As the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales, it’s my job to understand the customer journey at every touchpoint and how we can simplify this process to provide the best experience in the marketplace. By prioritizing customer satisfaction and business growth, my goal is to continue raising the bar in the pool building industry and help families across America build their dream backyards.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Contrary to what my younger self believed, life is incredibly unpredictable. While my career has always been at the forefront, life has a way of surprising you. Our surroundings change, your personal life shifts, and obstacles arise.
Early in my career, I was on a team focused on web and digital, trying to figure out how to launch online commerce at a time when resources were scarce. We developed the capability for online purchases on our site, only for our biggest customer to tell us that if we moved forward with that plan, they would pull our products from their stores. Our CEO decided to cut the web plan to avoid losing business, so we had to find another way. As a team, we took a step back and asked ourselves, how can we innovate? We came up with the idea of using our channel partners’ websites for transactions, which was a huge success.
One of the biggest challenges in my career came with the housing downturn in 2009, when the market dropped by 75%. In situations like that, you quickly learn how to help a company survive. You have to hunker down, conserve resources, and focus on ensuring the business remains viable. It’s in moments like these, when your back is against the wall, that you experience the most growth.
COVID was another massive learning experience. In a full in-home sales environment where people were no longer inviting sales professionals into their homes, we had to figure out how to adjust. We quickly modified our approach with virtual sales calls and meetings outdoors in people’s yards. After the initial uncertainty, it turned out to be a huge boost for us. With everyone staying at home, families were more eager than ever to invest in making their house a sanctuary.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Anthony & Sylvan is coming up on 80 years in the market and has become an industry leader in the custom swimming pool space. Since its inception in 1946, the company has been perfecting the craft of building inground pools from start to finish. It’s our job to help families create meaningful moments and experiences through building their dream pool. We specialize in making homes the ultimate gathering place, with custom pools that become the heart of family memories.
In my role, I hear countless stories about how someone’s life changed after their parents built a pool. Whether it’s how it brought families together, or the fond memories of spending every summer day poolside, it’s an incredibly rewarding experience to be a part of that life-changing decision.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
You can book a consultation online at https://anthonysylvan.com/
Contact Info:
- Website: https://anthonysylvan.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annette-bravard-2ba3189/
