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How Phyllis Lucas-Haddow parlayed a lay off into a new life  It’s a story all too familiar here in the bay area; yet another dot com layoff. Not everyone is as resourceful as SFPFS member Phyllis Lucas-Haddow, turning this seemingly negative experience into an opportunity to put her sales skills to work in an entirely new field. Lucas-Haddow began to research the food industry and found a receptive home as well as professional contacts within the SFPFS. She joined the finance committee to get involved and meet new people. “As part of my networking process, I was fortunate to meet a key SFPFS contributor and member Bob Kenney, President of Context Marketing. He took me under his wing and gave me tremendous help, introducing me to his many contacts in the food world, acting as a great sounding board. He and Patricia Schneider, who was with Context at the time, represent all that is good about SFPFS - networking, contacts, action-oriented, generous and giving. They knew I would gain the most out of SFPFS by giving the most, so right away they invited me to be on the finance committee. Through networking, timing and sheer luck, I was referred by Deb Mazzaferro (Deb Mazzaferro & Associates, a Florida-based consultancy to the specialty trade) to Sharon Cohn. Cohn was thinking of adding her first salesperson at B.R. Cohn Olive Oils & Vinegars. She took a huge chance on me - no food experience to speak of, but lots of sales experience - and off we went. I was so committed to the benefits of SFPFS that Bruce and Sharon Cohn agreed to a corporate membership. Sharon and I attended lots of meetings our first year, and hosted an SFPFS event at the winery”. Native: Madrid, Iowa, population 1700 Education: BA University of Iowa; over the next 30 years zillions of sales training courses as I moved from Denver to Atlanta, finally arriving here in Northern California eight years ago, where my heart truly feels at home. Turning Point: “I'd had it with the unfeeling world of computers. I have always food shopped every day but here in California the abundant choices and quality boggled my mind. First it was the Alemany Farmer's Market, then the Ferry Plaza and now that I'm in Marin, the Fairfax Wednesday night market is a delightful community gathering. My love of food got under my skin and I wanted to put my sales skills to work in this world I had come to love. Accomplishments in Food: “Just getting a job without food experience”! Currently: National Sales Manager, the girl & the fig; charged with expanding the line and brand through direct sales to specialty retailer, gourmet stores and through distribution. Sondra Bernstein is Proprietor of the girl & the fig. Talk about a passion for food and excellence! A valuable contributor to SFPFS, Sondra was a major supporter of the 2003 barbecue, organizing the participating restaurants, and to the 2005 barbecue, donating her cookbooks for the raffle. About SFPFS: How could I say no when current President, Nancy Kux, asked me to chair the Membership Committee? I believe passionately in the organization and its benefits to anyone in the food business, and I have wonderful committee members, Patsy Barich and Laura Martin Bacon. As we enter our year-end Membership renewal drive, we need help!! Do you want to meet and greet guests at meetings, events and roundtables? Do you want your friends and associates to enjoy the same membership benefits that you do? Please call me if you are willing to help build this dynamic organization. |
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