Stellarton Businesswoman On The Road Again

When the industrial tools and safety equipment firm that Linda MacDonald worked for went into receivership, she upped and started her own company. And not just any company. She decided that by specializing and not getting too big, she could succeed where her former employer had failed.

Ms. MacDonald, a single mother of two children, started her career as a secretary, then moved to the inside industrial sales desk. One day she was asked to go on the road, temporarily.

"I never went back," she said. In 1979, she was the only woman in industrial sales in Nova Scotia. "A few tried it," she laughed, but none stayed.

"You have to be aggressive and not back down, to hang in against the obstacles."

For Linda, those obstacles included finding child care and convincing a man who uses an air tool every day that a woman might know as much about that piece of equipment as he does. "But, when they realize I'm serious about my job, I'm in," she said. Even her local bank manager warned her that industrial sales was no place for a woman.

Although times have changed, there are some people from the "old boys" network who still look at women with doubt. "There are times, believe me, when I wish I were selling pantyhose," she said.

Those times don't outweigh the good times -- and haven't for the 16 years of steady success that Linmac Industrial Limited has had selling goods, and good service, to construction companies, heavy manufacturing facilities, shipyards, and utilities, among others. "Women don't understand why I'd want to do this. They think they couldn't do it," the Stellarton businesswoman admitted.

"But if you have staying power, you can," she said. "If you want to make a living, you will."

Ms. MacDonald says that one of the perks of running your own business is being able to conduct business the way you want. For example, much to the chagrin of some of her clients who think a business owner should be available 24-7, she still refuses to use a cell phone -- she thinks they cause traffic accidents and, she contends, nothing is that urgent.

Today, Linda MacDonald sees more and more women getting into industrial sales. Her advice? Don't think you can just walk in and wow customers. Start at the bottom. Learn about the equipment and build up a client base.

"Once you have that base," she said, "you're on your way."

International Women's Day, March 8, is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women and to renew commitments to equality. This year, the Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women is giving special recognition to women working in non-traditional sectors.