How She Did It: Sherry Springer

If you can't see it, you can't be it! EvolveMe's How She Did It series features inspirational women who've reinvented their careers in midlife. Learn how they did it and take away usable tips from their professional journeys.

We're thrilled to introduce Sherry Springer, AVP Business Banking Relationship Manager - a woman who proves that the only person who can stop you…is YOU! 

Driven by a desire for more time with her children and a better work-life balance, Sherry made a bold pivot into financial services -- a field she had never worked in and didn't have a formal degree in. 

Rather than let that stop her, she leaned on a lifetime of experience, an unshakeable mindset, and a commitment to learning from everyone around her. Now that's a growth mindset in action!

The result? A thriving career, one of the biggest real estate deals in her role's history, and a growing reputation as a mentor and knowledge-sharer who lifts others as she rises. Just weeks before her 50th birthday, Sherry says she finally got herself back -- and she's just getting started. Read on to learn How She Did It!

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What's your personal mantra, mission, or manifesto?

No one can stop me but me!

What inspired you to launch your current career/launch your business?

My children and a desire for a better work-life balance were the inspiration to start my current career path. I was working in a field that monopolized all my time. The days were long, and weekends were non-existent. Time with my children and spouse felt like a blur in my day.

What's unique about returning/pivoting in midlife? Challenges & opportunities?

I think what was unique for me was that I had a lifetime of experience to draw on. I had been in both the employee and manager roles and was not reverting to an individual contributor role. I understood how difficult the job of leadership is: balancing what upper management expects while keeping in mind how to get the most out of my staff. I didn't want to be someone who would make my new leader’s job more difficult.

The challenges I faced were that I’d never sold financial services. I worried that not having a finance degree was going to make the task harder. The opportunity, though, goes back to my own mantra: only I could stop myself. So I took the quiet moments to teach myself what I needed to know and found ways to learn from everyone I encountered. Even the worst colleague could teach me what not to do.

What’s one intention you have for your work this year?

So far, I’ve closed one of the biggest deals in real estate for someone in my role, and my goal is to continue to successfully acquire business that was previously uncharted, in the hopes of gaining another promotion to a senior role.

What are you most passionate about right now?

One of the things I’m really passionate about is sharing knowledge. It’s something that I’ve always enjoyed. Over the last few months, I’ve been asked to formally mentor two individuals, but I've also been unofficially mentoring or sharing information with many others. I realized through this mentorship that I like teaching and helping others to grow their knowledge, thereby improving their skills and job proficiency.

What does a typical day look like for you?

I start most days by checking and responding to client and partner emails. I spend some time making calls to set up future meetings with my book of business. There are typically two to three meetings already scheduled, either in person or on Microsoft Teams.

I then spend some time following up on my pipeline so I can handle the deals I’m currently working on. If I’m in the office, I’ll check in on my mentees. I also spend time finding prospective clients, dropping into businesses like doctors’ offices to offer banking services to the practice. We have one of the best concierge practice solutions networks that serves doctors, dentists, and veterinarians, but it’s still not as widely known, so through drop-in visits, we can often reach more practices.

What’s one thing that's advanced your career in the last year?

Staying true to the activities the company expects, I was able to reach and offer great quality solutions to grow revenue for the firm

Who’s your “tribe” when it comes to professional inspiration or support?

There is an amazing group of people on my team, as well as people I’ve worked with over the years—if I needed support or inspiration, I can look to them. As a woman operating in what was historically a male-dominated industry, I love seeing women who’ve risen to the top show up unapologetic and kicking, doing what they do, and still going home to be mom and wife! Those are the real inspirations to me.

Favorite book, app, or podcast?

My favorite book is Colleen Hoover’s Verity.

You’re granted an extra hour in the day, how do you spend it?

My family. The time when my children are around full-time is running out, and so at this point, any extra time goes to them!

The advice I would give my 20-year-old self is…

You don’t know it all, so be prepared to be amazed. Stay open-minded and give yourself and others grace. Oh, and yes, buy that property… prices go up, they don’t go down!!!

The advice that I want to give my 75-year-old self is...

Relax a little, but not too much. Don’t forget the lessons you’ve learned along the way, and continue to explore the world. Hopefully with your grandchildren!

Your theme song that plays every time you walk into a room should be?

Can’t Hold Us by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis

Best career advice for other women in midlife?

Nothing can stop you but you! If it doesn’t serve you, let it go and try something else.

When did you feel you got “you” back?

Just a few months ago, close to my 50th birthday.

What’s up next?

Continue to grow in my current role as I prepare for the next.