Life and Work with Sally Windnagle

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sally Windnagle.

Sally, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started by graduating from Purdue University with a degree in Business Management and immediately moved from Indiana to New York, NY to start my career in Sales (admittedly, frightened beyond belief). For the next ten years, I focused on building my sales experience and climbing the corporate ladder. After ten years, I found something was missing in my professional life, so I took time off to figure out what was the missing piece.

I found myself with excess time on my hands, so I took a position with a retail lifestyle store to stay busy. It was the most beautiful store I had ever seen… the minute I walked through the front door I knew it was something special. That is where the next phase of my career started. I immediately gravitated to the world of retail and interior design. I uncovered the magic of being able to utilize my business knowledge and skill set, while at the same time, found I had a creative side and a passion for design.

That “time off” experience helped to mold the next 20 years of my career. I continued to work in the retail and design industry with a vast array of opportunities that led me to where I am today. I continued building my resume with positions in sales and operations management while being able to focus on the creative side with regard to visual merchandising, in-home interior design, home/apparel buying at markets across the US and corporate design leasing.

I now have come full circle. All of my past experiences and networking have led me to what I consider the perfect job. I work with a multi-line showroom. CODARUS, and sell high-end lifestyle products to retailers and interior designers. I am, for the most part, an independent and responsible for my day to day business, which is such a dramatic change from the corporate world.

I truly consider myself a lucky woman. I fell in love with Scottsdale 25 years ago the first time I came here for a visit. From that moment, I worked diligently to find a way to secure a successful job and move here permanently. Gratefully, I moved to Scottsdale 13 years ago… a place I consider one of the most beautiful cities in the US. I adore the desert and appreciate its beauty with admiration and respect. I work in the design industry and am passionate about each and every day about what I do for a living. I wake up, my feet hit the floor, and I am excited to see what the day has in store… and say to myself, every day is a good day!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Definitely not a smooth road, there are always struggles here and there when establishing a career path. One of the struggles I encountered on multiple occasions was ensuring my compensation was commensurate with my experience and productivity. I advise anyone starting their journey to educate themselves on the industry standard with regard to compensation in their field. This encompasses the following: starting salary, does geographic cost of living play into the salary offered and at what growth levels can you expect an increase in compensation.

Another struggle I faced early in my career was making the right decision when geographic location came into play. My first job offer out of college required a move to New York City. My goal was to live in Indianapolis, comfortable in my home state where I lived my entire life, and a city where a majority of my friends lived. A job in NYC required me to take a leap into the unknown… a large city far away from where I did not know a single soul and the cost of living was astronomical. A definite struggle! At the end of the day, and many conversations with myself, I decided not to let fear guide me, but instead let my desire for success launch my career. I’ve never regretted that decision. My advice here is don’t let fear rob you when making a career decision. Face the challenge when you know you have been granted a golden opportunity.

The best advice I can give anyone starting their journey is to be true to yourself. Find a job and grow into a career that excites you. Find passion in what you do for a living because when you love what you do the work and success comes naturally. Also, keep in mind there will always be struggles, but these struggles are opportunities to grow and learn. There is no better feeling than waking up in the morning excited to go to work. Hard work and perseverance will bring success, just make sure to enjoy the ride!

So, as you know, we’re impressed with CODARUS – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I work with CODARUS, a national sales management team. We represent curated lifestyle brands/products such as bed linens, rugs, art, lighting, furniture, and decorative accessories. Our customers are interior designers, interior design firms and design-driven retail stores. I meet and sell to customers at national furniture and gift markets, as well as on the road making one on one sales calls. It is a relationship-driven industry, and I love that! Based in Scottsdale, I focus on high-end retailers and specialize in the interior design side of the business. The customers I work with are an amazing group of creative professionals that I am proud to call my business partners as well as my friends. I learn from them every day and appreciate their insight and talent.

What I believe I am best known for and what sets me apart from others is my customer service. My number one belief is the customers’ needs always come first followed by: 1) Strive to do my best and go the extra mile 2) Listen, listen, listen 3) Always be product educated and prepared 4) Create an energetic and insightful buying experience. I also put a great deal of importance on building relationships with all of my customers. Each relationship is unique, but each is equally as fulfilling and important. Many of my customers are not just a partner, but also a good friend. That part of my daily business makes me incredibly happy.

I am most proud of my association with the CODARUS sales team and our reputation in the retail and design industry. Our organization is known for our passion and enthusiasm, we strive to do good and be good. At the end of the day, that is something to be proud of.

Who have you been inspired by?
Women who have inspired me are all a part of my family:

1. My Grandma Jane. She was a renaissance woman and way ahead of her time. She taught me to work hard, believe in myself, take pride in what I do and know that women have the ability to be anything they want to be.

2. My mom. She has encouraged me throughout my entire lifetime. She has forever given me inspiration and self-confidence to go after the things I may have feared but deeply wanted. Started on the first day of kindergarten and was definitely present through all of my days in college!

3. My sister. My best friend since birth. We talk daily, and we support and encourage each other to be the best we can be in both our personal and professional lives. We give each other career advice when needed and help one another to be confident and strong when faced with a challenge. She is a true blue friend and daily inspiration.

Contact Info:

• Email: swindnagle@codarus.com
• Instagram: sallywindnagle.codarus

Image Credit:
Handley Drive, Regina Andrew Design, CODARUS, Lili Alessandra

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