Julie Cava
Senior Sales Representative
Stepan Company
Julie's journey reflects her adaptability, openness to opportunities, and commitment to personal and professional growth. She continues to place emphasis on the importance of mental health and positive mindset in everyday life.
Career Path: Julie earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Human Nutrition in Foods from West Virginia University. Julie has always had an interest in nutrition & food science. Growing up in West Virginia with both parents working in healthcare, she realized that a career in a clinical setting may not be for her. This ultimately led her to enter hospitality/food and beverage management and eventually the chemical industry.
Career Pivots & Transitions: After working in hospitality and food and beverage management, Julie realized she wanted a career where she could find balance and spend more time with her family and friends. This led her to find her first opportunity in the chemical industry, starting with a role in Technical Marketing. Shortly after taking this role, she had the unique opportunity to support the Asia Pacific region and support distributors throughout this region. This entailed frequent travel to various countries in Asia and ultimately to live in Japan. Initially hesitant, she embraced the chance, and this became a pivotal point in Julie’s career. The experience not only broadened her understanding of working with diverse people but also contributed to her discipline and growth, impacting her both personally and professionally. Julie eventually transitioned into sales and works today supporting various markets, including personal care, home care and industrial applications within the surfactant space. Julie has learned that you do not need to be an expert in every market. It’s more important to have the ability to connect with customers, understand their needs, and forming meaningful relationships to drive growth.
Balance & Mindset: Early exposure to her father's mental health struggles instilled in Julie a deep appreciation for the importance of mental health. Advocating for positivity and open-mindedness, she incorporates movement and exercise into her routine for mental clarity. Julie's favorite mental health practice involves engaging in physical activities, and she expresses a desire to explore meditation further in 2024. She emphasizes self-care as crucial for taking care of yourself, which enables you to show up better for others.
Julie’s Advice: In essence, Julie's journey is characterized by adaptability and a staying committed to personal and professional growth. Julie's involvement in Women in Chemicals (WIC) as the Marketing Chair reflects her commitment to supporting and learning from other women in the industry. She sees this as an opportunity to contribute her marketing skills and organizational expertise. Julie recommends exploring motivational podcasts and recommends books by Jen Sincero, focusing on mindset and habits. She encourages an open mind, seizing opportunities, and letting go of negative past experiences.
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