Page 12 - San Diego Woman Amy Haber Issue

Women of Distinction

ithin the first five school and when she attended
Wminutes of meeting the University of Arizona, she
Amy Haber, I knew that she pledged a sorority. “I double
was someone I wanted to get majored in speech commu-
to know better. Her optimistic nications and marketing with
outlook on life was contagious. a minor in fashion merchan-
A characteristic which has been dising. I realized that what I
increasingly difficult to find, loved most was a career where
especially after the last year we I had a lot of contact with the
have all had to endure. public and where I could help
As Senior Vice President people. I decided that the retail
of Sales and Education for well- business was what I loved.”
known and respected SENTÉ, Amy obtained a job working
she is a dynamo and treats those for Bullocks, a chain of full-line
who work for her like family. department stores, which was
In speaking with Amy and eventually bought out by Ma-
learning about her background, cy’s. “During my time working
it was obvious that Amy came in retail, I realized that what
from a loving family who all I really liked best was helping
seemed to share the same other people and making them
optimistic outlook. “I was born realize what they had to offer,
and raised in Phoenix, Arizo- and in this way helping to
na. My parents were originally build their confidence in their
from Cleveland, Ohio, but abilities.”
our family moved to Phoenix Photo by Dawn Nicoli/Nicoli Productions Today, in her position at
and my dad started a carwash SENTÉ, Amy is able to use these
business called Weiss Guys Car skills with her sales team.
Wash- their motto was “Weiss “What fuels my fire is my
Guys are Nice Guys”. I used to desire to help my team unleash
go to the carwash as a little girl their potential and just soar.
and just watch my dad and how When they succeed, that's my
he interacted with people. My paycheck. That's what makes me
dad is an unshakable optimist. Amy Haber feel good.”
He is such a happy guy. He loves Between her years in retail
people, and I think that's where sales and then a time working
my love of people came from. I LEADING WITH LOVE for a variety of designers, Amy
watched him work the carwash ended up working for Robert
and all of his clients like he was By Judith A. Habert Hayman and Dr. Dorfman’s
working a crowd.” company. “Doctor Bill Dorf-
Amy’s dad was loved by time, just the other day we went she lets nothing bother her, man was the dentist made
everyone he met, and he made out to dinner in La Jolla, and we it just rolls off her shoulders. famous for his role on the hit
whatever job he did fun for all had our masks on, and the With her demeanor, it would TV show ‘Extreme Makeover.’
himself and all those around waitress shouted, ‘Yea it’s the not surprise me if she lived to I ended up working in dental
him. “It was as if he was the candy man!’” be 147.” with Robert and Bill for over
mayor of the town. Wherever It was this genuine interest Growing up in such an 18 years. I started as a sales rep,
we went, everybody knew him in people that would forever upbeat household taught Amy and they promoted me five or
by name. It wasn’t unusual for stick with Amy. “It didn't matter some very important life lessons. six times with his company up

Dad to start a conversation with if you were the dishwasher or She was taught that success to VP of sales. When I started,
a stranger on the street and be- the CEO. He treated them all should not only exist in your we were doing about two mil-
fore the conversation was over, the same way with respect and career path but in life. It was lion in sales and there were just
he had invited him to dinner. kindness.” It wasn’t just Dad important to be successful in all a handful of sales reps. By the
They call my Dad the “Candy who influenced Amy, her Mom aspects of life and to always in- time I left we were doing one
Man” because he passes out was one and the same. “I have spire one another to help change hundred million a year and had
Werther’s candies to everyone never seen her raise her voice the world for the better. a staff of 40-50 sales reps.”
he meets (whether he knows and is probably the happiest, As if you didn’t guess it by This was a fun time in
them or not) to sweeten their peppiest, most upbeat human now, Amy was the captain of Amy’s life. She felt as if she had
day! This has not changed with being I know. In her 80s now, the cheerleading team in high a work family that made her so

12