The erudite Kelly L. Ross Robinson is the director of sales and marketing for BH Group USA. Read what he has to say about what he loves about his job, how art and music impact his life, and why he’s happy with the way God made him.
What inspires you to show up at work every day?
What inspires me to show up for work every day is my passion to work. My current job working for BH Group inspires me to work every day. I love being able to make a contribution to society any way I can through my job and career. Besides, I love making money to maintain my independence and lifestyle.
How did you determine your career path?
I figured that out very early in life by thinking about what I enjoyed most and taking the necessary steps to follow my passion. I love to create change and be creative. Once I figured that out. I set out to peruse my education in marketing and earning my degrees in Marketing, so that I can start creating my own path in my life and career. I love marketing and creating new ways to motivate consumers to buy products I am passion about.
What other industries connect to your career choice?
Public relations, advertising consumer marketing, event planning and CPG sales. All are related industries that connect to what I do in adult beverage sales and marketing. They all help connect to driving awareness of consumer T&A and ultimately purchasing.
Describe the skills that will be essential to future business leader and innovators.
I feel you must have strong skills in technology: computer software skills. Technology is always changing and you need to stay up with it to be competitive and knowledgeable. Developing and having dynamic public speaking and communication skills are essential as well. We communicate every day in various ways, and at times it’s the first and only impression someone has about us. It wouldn’t hurt to develop strong motivational skills, and networking skills too. Leadership and time management skills are great to have also especially, if you are in business and have to manage people and your own tasks. Lastly, I would add financial management skills. You need to now where your money is and how it can best work for you, and your business.
Define innovative methods you apply to your business and life.
I am always striving to think outside the box. I do not like doing the same thing all the time … it’s boring and doesn’t allow for growth. I do my research on what my competition is doing and I think about how I can best apply it to what I am trying to do, but at the same time, [I think about] how I can put my own spin on it. I have to make it my own! I also research non-competitors or non-industry related products to look for ways I can apply those successes to what I am trying to accomplish. I am always looking for a different ways to create and execute a successful activation that gets the attention of my target consumer and motivates a call to action. My goal is: How can I best “put all eyes on the brand and put drinks in [their] hands?” How can I best deliver my message to my consumer? I apply similar actions to the way I approach my personal life. I like to find a ways to stand a part from the next man while expressing my personality.
How do you set goals and evaluate your success?
I take my time thinking about my goals. I research them and evaluate the possible outcomes of what my short and long-term goals are. I ask the opinions of family, friends and professionals in related fields of my goal projectory. Basically, I do my research until I am happy with the actions I must take to achieve my goals. Once I am moving in the direction of my life projector. I embrace key learning’s along the way and apply them, so I am always prepared for the next step in my journey. I always keep an open mind and willingness to changes along the way.
Who do you consider your peers in your field? Who is setting a great example for best practices? Paul Governale (BH Group partner); Gigi Olha (BH Group partner); Michael McFadden (Southern Wine & Spirits, sales director); Geoff Dixon, (Kenwood Liquors-owner); Eddie (A&S Beverages-owner); Pamela Zager (Alpina Foods & Red Bull brand manager); George Daniels (George’s Music Room-owner); Michael Terry (EMI Music & Universal Music marketing guru); and CJ Jimerson (EMI Music/Virgin Records-co-worker)
What technology tools do you use?
I stay connected to what’s happening in the world around me. I’m linked into social media for information and networking; Nielsen, for consumer research and market trends; WOM/buzz, to know what people in the streets are doing, talking about; personal and professional relationships, for reinforcement and option strategies. Also, I tune into various television programs, motion pictures, radio and trade publications, because they all provide various degrees of information. For me, staying connected and relevant, and keeping my public profile up helps to keep me in the information loop on what’s happening now and in the future. I am always hungry for new information.
Name your favorite role models for success in two industries.
Damon John-Fubu (fashion); and Clive Davis (music)
Names three books that changed how you saw life that you would recommend to others.
The Bible, The Biography of Frederick Douglass, and Of Mice and Men.
Describe why lifelong learning is important to you.
It’s required for my personal and professional growth. It strengthens me. It feeds my motivation to push myself as far as my mind and body can go until refueling with more knowledge and inspiration.
Describe the voice of success that you hear in your head.
For as long as I can remember I often reflect on my Grandmother’s voice. She always told me, “Never say you can’t. Say you can.” My past, current and future success was and is driven by her teaching me the meaning of those words as a child. I apply them every day in everything I do. It’s a “can do” voice I hear! Self-empowerment, confidence and [being] secure in me is what grounds me. It’s her voice of success I hear.
Community success based on what you do in the community means what to you? Having the freedom and desire to give back. Appreciating my blessings, and how my actions helps create positive change in the life of others. It’s a personal fulfillment.
Technology plays what role in your daily life?
Technology is a 24/7 action for me. It’s essential to assisting me with daily multiple communications. I use various software applications and platforms to get my job done efficiently. I am always learning new forms of technology even when I find it challenging…I never give up on it. I practice until I am comfortable with it. Technology plays an important role in allowing me to best balance work and life. Everyday I am multitasking and technology allows me to master all my tasks with ease. I encounter all forms of technology everyday in personal and professional life and I embrace it with assurance.
What technology tools and apps have made the biggest difference in your life? Of course, email technology, and MS Office software applications. I also use several apps in areas of: Travel, Financial. Music, Social Media communications on a daily basis to make daily routines faster and improve my time management skills.
What role do music and culture play in your life?
Music plays a big part of my life. Growing up, R&B music was always playing in my household. Music always evokes happy emotions, and boosts my energy. My love for music inspired my choice to work in the music business. I spent 25 years working in the music business learning the art of all genres and how music affects people’s lives. I loved being able to play a part in people’s happiness through music. The years I worked in the music business, now allows me to do what I do today even better, because, I learned a lot of professional and life skills during those years.
Also being a creative artist myself. I am an established abstract painter and art collector, [and that] adds to my appreciation for art. Art drives my desire for self-expression and openness to all things creative. Art and creativity add aspects to how I approach my personal and professional life. I am a total lover of art and culture. Art excites me!!
Define your personal culture.
My personal culture is being different, happy and secure in my own skin every day and letting myself evolve. Just being me. … Open, undefined. Being different on my own terms.
Favorite vacation spot?
My favorite vacation spot is any good hot island beach. My all-time favorite vacation spot is Sapphire Beach on St. John U.S.V.I It’s a national state park, clean white sand and crystal clear turquoise blue water. The island of St. John is very laid-back, its well taken care of island. It also a: 30min ferry ride from the island of St. Thomas that offers more great beaches, and has the best duty-free shopping in the Caribbean. I have been to a lot of beaches around the world and so far, St. John’s beaches top my list of favorite vacation spot. Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is a close No. 2.
If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?
No more civil wars in foreign countries. There might be more peace and love for humanity. I would also add cures for life-threatening diseases.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
If I could change something about myself, I would like to be taller [laughs]. If I was 3 inches taller than 5-foot-10 it might be interesting. Otherwise, I am happy with the way God made me.
