A Journey of Growth, Innovation, and Community Engagement with Heather Ackley
Welcome to our interview article featuring Heather Ackley, a remarkable individual whose journey from school days to becoming a pivotal figure in the industrial markets is truly inspiring. In this insightful conversation, Heather shares her experiences, insights, and the story behind her success.
Born with a penchant for mathematics and a passion for music, Heather excelled academically, graduating near the top of her class. Her education journey took her to the University of Akron for math and English education and later to Brown Mackie College for business management.
After a hiatus spent raising her family, Heather ventured back into the workforce, initially joining a sales position with a temp service. Fate intervened when she received a call from MotionSource's CEO, Chip Hautala, ultimately leading her to a fulfilling career in sales. Over seven years, Heather has found her niche in the lubrication equipment industry, thriving on the challenges and relationships it brings.
MotionSource, under Heather's guidance, has become a significant player in the industrial markets, catering to various sectors such as forging, CNC shops, and food and beverage industries. Their offerings extend beyond lubrication equipment, encompassing motors, cylinders, sensors, belts, and bearings, with a hallmark of expertise and round-the-clock technical support.
Heather's vision for MotionSource involves further expansion into heavy equipment industries, agricultural segments, and electronics. With ambitious growth plans, the company is poised for another stellar year after a remarkable 2023.
Teamwork and unity are pivotal at MotionSource, emphasized through cross-training and community engagement. Heather's belief in supporting employees both in and out of the office fosters a strong sense of camaraderie, evident in their initiatives such as rehabilitating stray animals.
Innovation is at the core of MotionSource's ethos, with a focus on eco-friendly practices and leveraging AI to streamline processes. Heather's advice for startups echoes this commitment to innovation and adaptability, urging them to research thoroughly, assemble the right team, and embrace change.
Join us as we delve deeper into Heather Ackley's journey, her insights on building a successful business, and her vision for the future of MotionSource.
Early Life and Education
Can you tell us something about yourself, your early life, and your education?
When I was in school, I was both a band geek and a math whiz. I didn't participate in many athletics because I was overly competitive and didn't like to lose. I graduated not far from the top of my class and continued into college making dean's list and president's list every semester that I attended. I went to University of Akron for math and English education and then to Brown Mackie College for business management.
Career Journey and Entry into Sales
What led you to your current profession or field of expertise?
After attending college, I started a family and was a stay at home mom for several years. Getting back into the work force was tough, but I found myself in a sales position with a temp service. I got a call from MotionSource's CEO Chip Hautala looking for a sales person. He ended up hiring me not long after. After 7 years in this industry, I can honestly say that I love what I do and the people that I work with both in the office and in our customer's facilities.
Overview of MotionSource
Can you provide an overview of the business and its presence in the target market?
MotionSource currently supplies many types of customers in the industrial markets. From forging, to CNC shops, to food and beverage industries - we are able to assist many types of customers.
Offerings and Competitive Edge
What does your business offer as per the current competitive market?
MotionSource is a lubrication equipment distributor for the top names in the industry. Not only do we supply customers with lubrication equipment, but we also offer other types of equipment like motors, cylinders, sensors, belts, bearings, etc. What sets us apart from other companies is that we are experts when it comes to the lubrication industry. Our customers can call on us 24/7 for expert advice and technical support.
Growth and Expansion Plans
What are some of the growth and expansion plans you have in your pipeline?
As our company continues to grow, some of the market areas we plan to work more with are the heavy equipment industries and agricultural segments. We also plan to expand our offerings into electronics.
The biggest part of our growth and expansion plans is expanding our already vast territories. We currently have several reps across the US, but we are expanding on our physical presence and the number of reps we have in our corporate location so that we can better serve our customers.
Company Performance
How has the year been for your company?
2023 was a tremendous year for growth and 2024 is already beginning to look even bigger. Our first quarter sales tripled year of year and we expect to see that throughout the remainder of 2024. Also a big reason why we are looking to bring in new reps with varying backgrounds in the industry.
Building Effective Teamwork and Unity
What measures do you think employees and organisations can take to build effective teamwork and unity?
I believe that the best way to build effective teamwork and unity is not just inside the office, but also outside the office. All our employees are cross trained in sales, assembly, shipping/receiving, etc. This way not one single person feels overburdened by one task and we encourage everyone to ask for help when they need it. If they need help, someone will step in to help.
Outside the office, we also encourage our reps to find ways to better their communities (whether that is sponsoring a youth sports team that a child of one of our team members plays for, or volunteering at a local animal shelter) and ask their peers if they want to help with finding donations.
At MotionSource, we are also a bit of a rehabilitation center for animals. We previously have helped stray kittens and currently are helping to rehabilitate guinea pigs. Having such an impact on these animals really becomes a team building "event" because everyone here really cares for animals, and it has helped bring them closer.
Focus on Research and Innovation
Tell us about the company’s focus and investment in research and innovation
MotionSource focuses and invests in new ways to make our processes more "green". Not only in our day to day, but also in customer projects. We invest heavily into AI and solar power because we believe in taking care of our planet and reducing our carbon footprint. By utilizing AI in some of our processes, we are able to reduce our carbon footprint AND make finding, ordering, and shipping easier for our customers.
Tips for Startups
Any tips for startups looking to get onto a similar pathway?
Research heavily, hire the right people, and never think "well this is the way it's always been done".
In conclusion, Heather Ackley's story is a testament to the power of determination, resilience, and a passion for what you do. From her early days balancing academics and music to her current role as a key player in the industrial markets, Heather's journey is marked by unwavering dedication and a commitment to excellence.
Through MotionSource, Heather has not only built a successful business but also fostered a culture of teamwork, innovation, and community engagement. Her focus on customer service, technical expertise, and environmentally friendly practices sets MotionSource apart in a competitive market.
As we look to the future, Heather's vision for MotionSource is bright, with plans for expansion and continued innovation. Whether you're a seasoned professional, a startup entrepreneur, or simply someone inspired by Heather's story, there's much to learn from her experiences and insights.
We encourage you to connect with Heather Ackley on LinkedIn to stay updated on her journey, learn more about MotionSource, and explore potential opportunities for collaboration and networking.
Thank you for joining us in this interview article, and we look forward to sharing more inspiring stories with you in the future. Stay connected, stay inspired, and keep striving for success!
contact information:-
- MotionSource 888-963-6686
- Heather.Ackley@MotionSource1.com
- Sales@MotionSource1.com
- MotionSource International , 31200 Solon Road Suite 7 , Solon, OH 44139
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Recent Comments:
A'shadieeyah
This article offers a fascinating glimpse into Heather Ackley's inspiring journey at MotionSource. Her dedication to innovation, community engagement, and sustainable practices is truly motivating. It's encouraging to see such leadership in the industrial markets! 👍👍👍👍👍