Career Switch Made For Picture Of Success
Ten years ago Barbara B. Roberts did the unthinkable: She walked away from a lucrative job on Wall Street.
At 38, Roberts had advanced in the financial services industry, holding senior management positions in marketing, advertising, sales and strategic planning. But on three separate occasions she was passed over for the top marketing job at Dean Witter, where she ran its $300 million equity marketing division and became one of the first women to serve on its board.
“I would have been at a higher level if I were a man,” says Roberts, now president of New York City-based FPG International Corp., one of the world’s largest stock photography agencies.
Now 48, Roberts has been running FPG International, which provides magazines, greeting card companies and advertising agencies with images of everything from celebrities to national landmarks, since 1990. Under her leadership, FPG began featuring minorities in its photographs, a move that helped drive FPG’s annual sales from $7 million to $35 million. As president, Roberts’ experiences span a wide range, from nurturing young photographers to developing alliances with agencies overseas - and once even escaping the clutches of kidnappers in Venezuela.
She has received numerous awards for using FPG as an agent for social change, including her efforts to improve conditions at a troubled local high school through a mentoring program for students interested in photography.
Recently Roberts talked about her career path:
Q: What told you it was time for a new direction?
A: Making financial people wealthy didn’t give me any personal satisfaction. I decided I would be happier if I used my business skills to help artists make as much money as possible.
Q: How did you make the transition from running a division to running an entire business?
A: My ex-husband owned Pryor Catalogs, a computer supply catalog firm, and he gave me the opportunity to run it. … (I learned) about time management, motivating employees and delegating.
Q: How did you connect with FPG?
A: The daughter of FPG’s founder was looking for someone to run the business so she sent letters to professional women’s groups. One morning, I received four copies of the same letter. I cannot stress enough the importance of being involved with industry organizations.
Q: What attracted you to the position?
A: It was an opportunity to blend my interest in the creative world with my business skills. But this also was a 50-year-old company where not too much had changed, and yet the industry was going through phenomenal technological change. The messier the situation, the more exciting I find it. I would hate to go into a company that was running smoothly or a situation where there was nothing to do. I think it’s a good career strategy to seek out the most challenging situations. It helps put you on the map.
Q: How do you promote diversity at FPG?
A: First, we post all job openings at FPG, so everyone can apply for positions in other departments. We want employees to identify their career dreams and get the experience that will help them reach their goals. Second, as soon as we hire 10 new employees, I invite them to lunch in the conference room. It gives me a chance to get to know them. Third, we’re open from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., so people can choose the hours they want to work. Flexibility instills loyalty, and it helps us attract interesting employees.”
Q: How do you manage stress?
A: I take “thinking retreats.” Every week, I schedule at least three or four hours to think about work problems. If something difficult comes up, I don’t get stressed out or make snap decisions. I table the problem until early Sunday morning, when I take walks outside.
Q: Advice to those contemplating a career switch?
A: Do what you love and the money will follow.
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