Strength and Determination

In this 10 Questions, your author (MJ) finds out what drives and inspires SnapCab Sales and Account Manager Brittany Brothers (BB).

It was during the last National Association of Elevator Contractors (NAEC) convention in Reno, Nevada, in September 2023, that I sought to meet some new candidates for the 10 Questions column I write for ELEVATOR WORLD. One of the more social aspects of the convention is the pilgrimage to the hotel bar. The bar is the gathering place after dinner, after hours and after-after hours to talk, break bread, people watch or just plain socialize. Some elevator deals start or end at the convention center hotel bar. It was one of these times — a chance meeting — when I began to chat with Brittany Brothers and some other colleagues. I wouldn’t call it banter, but, after just a simple back-and-forth conversation, I knew I had found my next 10 Questions subject, and later reached out to Brothers via email. I hope everyone enjoys 10 Questions with Brittany Brothers of SnapCab.

MJ: We had actually never met before the chance meeting at the hotel bar at the NAEC convention. Tell our readers who you are and about your family.

BB: It was such a pleasure meeting you and Joseph (Thompson from Brugg Lifting) that evening and sharing stories and laughs! I am one of five children in my family — the second youngest. I have been fortunate to be the first in my family to venture beyond our hometown (Nashville, Tennessee), earn a degree, move out of state and even live in a different country. Traveling and expanding my knowledge of the world have always been my passions. Setting and achieving goals has always been a driving force in my life, and I thrive on challenges. Currently, I reside in the great city of Nashville, with my like-minded adventurous husband. Together, we are parents to our courageous 2-year-old, Amelia Jane, who certainly keeps us on our toes! We can’t forget our wild, curly, 6-year-old goldendoodle, Connor! Although my schedule may be quite busy, I still make time for activities I love. Physical fitness, gardening, canning and attending outdoor events in Nashville are just a few things that bring me joy. Exploring hiking areas and trails in the surrounding area also provides me with a sense of tranquility and gratitude for the simple wonders of nature. In addition, I enjoy practicing hot yoga and trying new activities like boxing and oddly enough, sewing. Discovering new coffee shops or breweries is another favorite of mine. Rather than acquiring material possessions, I choose to invest in experiences and embrace new challenges. At home, my family and I tend to our vegetable and flower garden, using this time to teach our little one good health and having fun in the dirt. We are also actively involved in our church community and participate in a weekly family small group.

Balancing all these activities with a full-time job gives me a sense of fulfillment and contentment. However, I do have a deep love for travel and make sure to carve out time for quick, extended weekend trips. While we haven’t been able to embark on long international journeys lately, our past explorations of South America and Asia have shaped us into true adventurers. We love immersing ourselves in different cultures, embracing history and discovering unique attractions. Life has bestowed upon us countless blessings, and we approach our future with gratitude and excitement. As a mother, I can confidently say that this chapter of my life has brought me the greatest joy and fulfillment.

Rather than acquiring material possessions, I choose to invest in experiences and embrace new challenges.

MJ: During our little barside chat, you told me a really good story about something you and your husband (boyfriend at the time?) did. It had to do with travel and going off the grid.  Tell our readers about that.

BB: That is correct! I was working for Otis at the time we turned a seven-year friendship into a relationship, then a marriage. My husband and I actually reunited when I was surveying an elevator at the medical office where he worked. After college, I left for North Carolina to work for Otis, and he left for Guatemala to study Spanish. Neither of us knew we were back in town. We were destined to reunite and write our story together. We both had the desire to travel and see the world, so we started saving. From promotions at work to roommates in our house, we were able to save up enough money to finally feel comfortable to embark on our adventure. Otis was in disbelief when I gave them a year’s notice. They didn’t think I would follow through with it, but we rented out the house and left! My prerogative was to explore our country and see all its beauty before visiting others, so we did. We got a national park pass and started exploring, camping along the way. We saw about 90% of the national parks in 3.5 months. Glacier, Zion and Olympic were my favorites. After that, we got one last hug from the family, then took a one-way flight to Guatemala with just our hiking backpacks. Our plan was to immerse ourselves in the local culture and live as minimally as possible. We started with language school Aprendimos durante tres meses en una clase individual de Espanol! My husband sharpened his existing language skills while I created a conversational base. We backpacked, living like (and sometimes with) the locals for a little over a year. We traveled by foot, chicken bus, lancha (way too tiny of a boat for the ocean!), puddle hopper (smallest possible airplane to get us over the Darién Gap) and train while exploring from Guatemala to Patagonia. We skipped Brazil (the Olympics were there, and crime was higher at the time), El Salvador and Venezuela, but hit everything else. While traveling, I made a list of some of the wildest things we did. I’ll share some of those with you:

1. Climbed 8 h up a volcano to camp and watch the sister volcano erupt all night. We froze (almost literally), but feeling the vibrations in your chest with the boom from each eruption and seeing it as close as safely (ish) possible, was astonishing.
2. Volcano boarded down a volcano covered in lava rock using only the full moon for lighting.
3. Camped at a national park in Chile and had the entire park to ourselves (almost froze again).
4. Bicycled down the world’s most dangerous road in Bolivia.
5. Raised US$1,600 for 105 elementary students in three different underprivileged schools in Peru.
6. Trekked the Amazon for seven days and successfully went on an anaconda hunt.
7. Hiked in one of the Seven Wonders of the World — Machu Picchu.
8. Hiked 16,005 ft above sea level to view Rainbow Mountain, which was discovered only 10 months prior. National Geographic had not even surveyed it yet!
9. Visited the Galapagos Islands and swam with a pack of hammerhead sharks, penguins, white tip sharks, sea turtles and sea lions.
10. Helped teach Nicaraguan adults English.
11. Trekked Torres del Paine (in the Patagonia region) for four days and witnessed 20-plus avalanches.
12. Using an ice pick and crampons, trekked up an active volcano to see the lava boiling inside.
13. Swam with a whale shark in the wild in Koh Tao, Thailand.
14. Visited the world’s largest religious monument — Angkor Wat.
15. Motorbiked the entire country of Vietnam (north to south).
16. Learned how to free dive and made it to the depths of 80 ft on one breath.
17. Took selfies with a North Atlantic right whale, penguin, llama, elk, elephant seal, monkey and whale shark, all in their natural habitats.

This remarkable journey allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in the wonders of the world. We dedicated two years to learning about the lands we visited — their history, people, cuisine, languages and the sheer beauty of the world.

MJ: Getting back to the elevator business, like many people in our industry you got started at Otis. Tell us about your time there.

BB: Otis was a dream position for me. I knew I wanted to be in sales and wanted something in heavy-duty machinery. Otis fit the box. After college, I had several interviews with Otis and landed a position in Charlotte, North Carolina, which led me to move away from my home state for the first time. I was thrilled to have the position, be in a new environment and spend my days putting all my efforts into being an extraordinary employee.

MJ: You started as an account rep at Otis, worked your way up to sales manager, then transitioned to working for a supplier —SnapCab. Take us through that change in your career.

BB: After completing a training program in Charlotte, I made the bold request to be transferred to Nashville for my permanent position. Despite warnings that it could be “career suicide,” I saw it as an opportunity to take on a challenge and make the office my own. With only my dedicated admin, Kim Barnes, by my side, I hit the ground running. I am forever grateful to the incredible regional staff members, including Mike Hopper, Ken Allen, Brandon Jackson and Joe Leist who took me under their wing and helped develop and support me. Within a year, my hard work and dedication paid off, and I was honored as one of the top-performing representatives in the southern region. As time went on, we built a solid team, including a supervisor and an exceptional general manager, Diana Bartley, who resided in Nashville. Working under Diana not only groomed me for a promotion, but also instilled in me the confidence to lead and manage others. I was soon promoted to sales manager for Tennessee, and I discovered a passion for developing and mentoring my team. This unexpected joy led me to being recognized by the regional staff, who entrusted me with training all new hires in our region and creating new training material. I found a sense of fulfillment and value in my work and cherished working with my team. As time went on and the big picture of “real life” began to take shape, my husband and I yearned for change. We felt a calling to break free from the confines of the corporate world, despite its rewards. We wanted to seize the opportunities of our youth and embrace change. With careful planning, I provided Otis Elevator with a generous one-year notice of my departure and finally resigned from my role in June 2015 to embark on our exploration journey. Otis held my position unofficially for a year, but when the time came, they rightfully filled it as I decided to continue traveling. Interestingly enough, nearing the two-year mark of our travels, fate intervened, and I reunited with my SnapCab sales representative, Eric Farah, and his wife, Mallory, who were on their honeymoon in Bali. Eric loved his role at SnapCab and suggested that I join their team. Although unsure if we were ready to end our adventures, I decided to explore the opportunity further. As I delved deeper into SnapCab and saw the possibilities it offered, I told my husband that it was time for us to return and begin this new chapter.

MJ: Which is a better job — working on the contractor side or the vendor side?

BB: Both sides have their advantages. On the contractor side, there is an undeniable thrill in never knowing what challenges the day may bring. It can be quite chaotic at times, but there is a sense of accomplishment in bringing order and organization to the daily chaos. On the other hand, the vendor side offers a more focused and creative environment. It allows me to be strategic and innovative in my efforts, honing my skills in one area without the distractions of countless other tasks. Admittedly, the vendor role may limit upward growth and promotions due to the smaller scale of the companies. However, the close-knit nature of these smaller companies creates a sense of family, which is nice. I find satisfaction in the flexibility of my vendor role, as it aligns perfectly with my current needs and aspirations.

MJ: You take part in, belong to and volunteer for a wide range of interests both inside and outside the elevator industry.  I’m not going to ask you to run through all of these, but tell us how important it is for your career and yourself to participate in all of them. (And this is how I turn 10 questions into 12 or 14). One organization caught me eye — Embrace Grace. Tell me about that.

BB: Admittedly, I feel like a mad woman sometimes with my packed schedule. Yet, I cannot help but want to carve out time for things that align with my values. I love having a well-established and stable career that allows a healthy work/life balance. I feel confident in my performance at work, so I rarely leave feeling defeated. I finish the workday with energy left for my family, friends and community. We devote ourselves to our church with Sunday service, Wednesday night small group and Embrace Grace on a handful of weekends. Embrace Grace supports pregnant women in our community who need help. Annually, we host a baby shower, Princess Day (pamper day for the expecting mothers), Adventure Day (a fun day out with other expecting mothers) and many other tea/coffee or pedicure/manicure dates throughout the year. I was asked to join by a member of my small church group, and it was an immediate, “Yes!” As a mother of a 2-year-old, I now understanding the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” I feel the nonprofit organization resonates deeply with me, as I witnessed my own mother selflessly raise us five, leaning on my grandmothers and our church for support. She is a warrior! Her resilience and determination shaped my strength and independence.

MJ: One of the Women In Motion members, an NAEC organization you take part in, told me you gave a thoughtful speech in Reno. I also know that you’ve done some NAEC webinars and other presentations. Giving presentations or talking to a group of people is not the easiest thing to do, yet it looks to be second nature for you. Do you have any tips?

BB: Yes, actually I do. I tell myself the same thing every time before I get in front of a crowd or panel. Perhaps it’s the Southern raising in me, but here is my tip: They all woke up this morning and put their pants on the same way I did. Meaning that I should not feel intimidated by anyone in the room. If I am in front of them, it’s because someone thought I was worthy. There’s no room for doubt or criticism because they are all just like me — doing the same things every morning that I do, and they are all here to hear what I have to say.

MJ: I think the influence of women is growing in our industry. When I first started in this industry, the only woman of influence I can think of is the publisher of this magazine, Ricia Sturgeon-Hendrick. Now with Judy Marks as CEO of Otis breaking the glass ceiling, I think women are starting to recognize the opportunities in the elevator industry. What are your thoughts on this?

BB: I couldn’t agree more! The era of women solely staying at home is long gone. From my perspective, women have always possessed exceptional multitasking abilities: effortlessly running households, ensuring there’s food on the table, maintaining a clean living space and keeping everyone fed and clothed. Multitasking seems to be ingrained in the DNA of every woman I know. The business world has come to recognize the value that female leaders bring to the table, such as an innate sense of empathy, discipline and the uncanny ability to juggle multiple tasks. These qualities represent a fresh approach to managing both people and companies. I love that the NAEC has Women In Motion. When I stand alongside such a strong group of female leaders, I feel an incredible surge of empowerment. I look forward to seeing more women excel in our industry.

MJ: One other thing also caught my eye by way of your resume. For some of us who can’t walk around the block without getting winded, is it true that you’ve competed two Ironman competitions? 

BB: Did I mention I love a challenge? This was the most physically challenging thing I have ever endured, but it was the journey that really transformed me. Exercise has always been my go-to for maintaining mental clarity, good health and a positive mood. It wasn’t until about five years ago that I decided to start challenging myself physically. I signed up for a 5K, which was an absolute blast. Then, I figured out what it meant to be a St. Jude Hero and immediately signed up. I set my distance to a half marathon and started raising money for St. Jude (Children’s Research Hospital). The first half marathon was a true test of endurance, but after 2 h and 35 min, I proudly crossed that finish line. I fell in love with the St. Jude community, so I decided to sign up for another year. I kept training. As a St. Jude Hero again, I completed my second half marathon in 2 h and 6 min. I was impressed with that time, so I didn’t see the value in pushing for faster or longer. That is when I made the switch to triathlons. Now, I can not only suffer from a half marathon, but add a 56-mi. cycle and 1.2-mi. swim into it! I had no idea how to start this training, so I joined some triathlon groups that led me to a cycle and swim coach. I quickly went from a novice doggie paddler to training with the competition team. 5 a.m. was standard wakeup time to get the several hours of training in, six days a week. Race day came, and I realized that all the training actually paid off (literally and figuratively). I actually had fun out there going for 6.5 h straight. It’s amazing what your body will do if you properly train and nourish it, but most importantly, get out of your head. Your head will tell you, “That’s enough” and to stop. But, they say when those thoughts start, you’re at only 40% of your physical capacity. I can personally vouch for that statistic!

MJ: O.K., you’ve made it — last question. You’re organizing an elevator industry dinner party. Which three industry people, dead or alive, do you invite and what would you ask them?

BB: Let’s start with the historic one: Elisha Otis. I would love to tell him my stories about what I was able to do for the company he founded, and watch as his mind becomes perplexed by the changes in the world. I may or may not have the famous Elisha Otis cutting the rope image printed behind SnapCab’s Gorilla® Glass in my office. It is the perfect merger of my two proud career choices. As for my other two, I will admittedly say I am stumped. Knowing you have met some of the most interesting people in the industry, I would put my dinner fate in your hands and let you pair me up with them.