Vice President of Business Development GeoLinks, Camarillo Age: 26 As vice president of business development at GeoLinks, an internet service provider primarily for rural areas, Lexie Smith handles public relations and marketing for the company, among other duties. Her first post-college job was with a PR firm she saw on the TV show “Shark Tank.” Biggest Accomplishment: In the past six years, I have lived and worked in seven different cities. Furthermore, I have worked in and promoted a diverse range of industries – tech, fashion, hospitality, wine and now telecom. I believe it’s a huge testament to my adaptability. It takes a lot of strength to not only acclimate, but also excel both somewhere new and doing something new. I’m happy to say that throughout all this “craziness,” my relationships with my family, friends and husband have remained stronger than ever. How do I measure success? Happiness. And I’m beyond grateful to say that I’m pretty dang happy! Most Interesting Aspect of Job: GeoLinks is by far the most dynamic, fast-paced and promising company I have ever worked for. Our Chief Executive Skyler Ditchfield will throw out what seems to be an impossible, semi-outlandish, yet inspiring goal on Monday, and somehow the team will have it done by Friday. Every day I face a new and exciting challenge. Personality on the Job: I like to think that I am authentic. I genuinely care about the people I meet and work with. And when your career is built upon making long-lasting relationships, it tends to serve both you, your employer, and those you work with well. Biggest challenge? So far, ironically, my biggest challenge has been my age. Outside of my company, I am met with much skepticism. For example, I recently sat in a room at a conference in Washington D.C. where, if I had to guess, I was younger by at least two decades than everyone else. Nevertheless, I was one of the most outspoken participants in the room. Let’s just say my candor was met with both surprise and apprehension. I view it as just that, a challenge. And challenges can always be overcome. Most Memorable Experience: I was a huge “Shark Tank” fan in college. My senior year I saw a PR firm on the show and knew I wanted to work for them when I graduated. So, come three months before graduating I decided to send this firm my resume. No response. So I sent it again. Nothing. I then redesigned my resume and sent it in a third time. I suppose most people would have taken the hint at this point, but I persisted. I ended up finding the co-founders on Twitter and sending them a relevant and flattering tweet expressing my interest in their firm. She responded saying send me your resume. A month and many interviews later, I got the job. This all culminated when I ended up representing a wide array of “Shark Tank” brands and even ended up being filmed for “Beyond the Tank.” The show was a flop but still memorable nonetheless. Biggest Misconception About the Profession: That PR is all glitz and glam, or that it’s easy. Yes, some of it is all of “that fun stuff” you see on TV, but it’s also full of massive and repeated rejection. Career Advice: Get creative, do your research, don’t give up, view your network as a resource, and finally, ask for help when you need it. Furthermore, accept and own that there is more than one way to do things. As my company likes to say, “The Best Idea Wins.” Also, I’m a total cheeseball and love inspirational quotes. Thus, I’ll end with one that I firmly believe in, and have adapted as my personal mantra; “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right.” — Henry Ford
