Maggie Ocasio realized early in her career that she enjoyed the company of people and that she loved the beauty industry. Her introduction to the Bronner Bros. dynasty 21 years ago couldn’t have been more divine. The vice president of retail sales and marketing for Bronner Bros. Inc., Ocasio spearheads all of the company’s retails sales and marketing operations, which basically include all retails accounts and distributors throughout the country.
It may seem like a daunting responsibility to many, but for Ocasio, it’s all in a day’s work. “I oversee our marketing and advertising divisions. As a vendor, we support all trade shows, participate in at least 200 events per year … I lead a team of merchandisers who service the retail stores in their designated territories. Also, I sell advertising for Upscale magazine.”
Ocasio’s foray into the beauty industry came when she worked as a broker representing as many as 30 beauty product lines. “We represented Soft Sheen before they merged with Carson,” she says.
From there, an opportunity at Bronner Bros. opened up and she was hired as a district manager.
Ocasio’s is a job that many would envy. Traveling the world from Puerto Rico to London, promoting lines, sampling products and hosting giveaways at expos from fraternity gatherings to the Congressional Black Caucus, and Cosmopro to trade events for industry professionals only, Ocasio is a jet-setter.
“I love what I do. I am always networking and meeting new people. I can stay abreast of trends in the industry. I enjoy being a resource for young people and my interns, sharing with them decorum, business etiquette and attire. Organizations like Atlanta Mission are at the top of my list when I have free time to offer my help,” she shares. –yvette caslin
