Featured Community Member, February 2024
The Lenovo Pro Community is pleased to spotlight Walter Bridgham, Business Development Manager and community member since June of 2022, as February 2024's featured member. Walter is a has made numerous contributions over the years to this community including valuable brand surveys feedback, focus group participation, live events and much more. He is always engaging with the community, offering insightful posts, showing care and consideration for others and is overall an awesome member.
In addition to always having good things to say, Walter very kind, seasoned, and dedicated individual who's presence adds so much to the Lenovo Pro Community. Keep reading to see why we are so thankful to have Walter in the Community.
About Walter Bridgham
Well, my name is Walter Bridgham and I am originally from Miami, Florida. For the last 20 years, I have been in New York City - specifically, Astoria, Queens. I am spoiled with picturesque views of Manhattan (you never even have to leave Astoria). My husband and I have been married for 13 years, though together for 33. We have a cat named Cassie who my husband feeds and who I pet. Although I am not a big reader, I have read and enjoyed about 30 of the James Patterson books but not much beyond that except for instruction manuals (haha).
As for education, I put myself through college while working 2 jobs. Even though it took 10 years, I graduated from Florida International University with a Psychology Degree and Marketing minor (consumer behavior seems to be the best application). For my hobbies, I really like textiles and I make quilts (there is always one in progress). I also enjoy growing my orchids, which is very hard to do in New York city apartments.
Day-to-day Operations
For work, I have a long retail background starting with working in a major department store and moving up through the ranks. I evolved from sales person to merchandising to sales manager to assistant buyer to associate buyer to buyer in many home product categories. Then I moved into product development for private-label brand home products for Macy's (the store I worked for, Burdines, was part of Federated department store which bought Macys and changed the names on all the stores to Macys). Ask me how cookware is made... I can tell you.
I also developed home textiles. After leaving Macy's, I worked for a well-know bedding supplier, WestPoint Home, where I led the product development for the categories of sheets, filled products (pillows, etc.) and towels. I had the opportunity there to work with a Fiber branded as TENCEL™. During that time, the business development manager at TENCEL™ was leaving her role. She suggested I take her place which brings me to where I am today: Business Development for Lenzing fibers. Lenzing fibers are the makers of TENCEL™ branded lyocell and Modal (wood-based cellulosic fibers) used in all textile applications. I like to say that I educate and inspire brands, retailers and mills on the fibers and how to use them to fill voids in their assortments.
But one of the most interesting facts about me is that while growing up, my fathers' business was an Olivetti office Machines agency. This is where I grew up with the office machine business. Everything from manual typewriters, electric typewriters, addition machines, to word processors, first computers and then helping to source and build our own clone PC for B2B solutions. I had the responsibility for costing as well as training software and machine use. This job was my primary job while going to college and I learned a lot there.
Q & A
How long have you been a part of Lenovo Pro and what is your favorite Lenovo product?
I believe I have been part of the Lenovo Pro Community about 2 years. When I had to replace my favorite Yoga Laptop 3 years ago with a new Yoga, I continued to poke around Lenovo Pro and found the community and have had the opportunity to learn from others here.
How has using your Lenovo equipment helped you accomplish things in your personal or professional life?
Oh yes, Lenovo products have helped so much as tools in my organization and I have become more tech savvy with all the new technology out there. Most was for my own personal knowledge gain (which of course overflows to business). I am also using all this knowledge and equipment to prepare myself for running my own small business where I plan to consult my current industry and will need these tools to be successful. It’s a growing process.
What do you enjoy most about the Lenovo Pro Community?
I most enjoy the comments posted by others. It really feels like a community; you hear the good, the bad, the ugly and you can make a contribution that may help someone else. It’s a sharing community.
What was one of your greatest successes in your professional life?
I would have to say being awarded Buyer of the Year for the department store I worked for was one of the greatest successes in my professional life. That was fun year - growing a category and a trend to be a huge success! Also, helping design the dinnerware pattern that hit $1 Million in sales for 45 stores was also quite the highlight...
What was one of your greatest challenges in your professional life?
This would have to be the unfortunate time I had to do a job search after 33 years with the same company... not fun.
What was one piece of advice/encouragement that you got along your professional journey that inspired/helped you?
Keep a positive attitude, never stop learning, and share what you learn. People appreciate when experience and knowledge is shared.
What is one piece of advice you would give other professionals or aspiring business owners?
Be your own expert, where others feel they can rely on you. You may not have the answer but you know how to find it and you follow through and follow up.
Connect with Walter
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/walterbridgham
Instagram - @wbridtham
#wwwalterdo, #whatwouldwalterdo
Thank you for being such a valued part of the community, Walter and congratulations on being February 2024's Featured Community Member!
Do you have any questions for Walter about his journey, interests or advice?
Don't miss Walter's live session discussing LinkedIn, Tuesday, February 13th at 11am!
Leave your questions and comments below!