Bradley expands sales roots

Union County Post Staff Report
Barb Bradley makes friends everywhere she goes. She has seen different parts of Ohio and has transplanted back into Marysville in a new position. A salesperson who believes in knocking on doors to produce results, Bradley views Marysville as her new stomping ground. Bradley has been named Manager /Sales and Operations for the Union County Post. She began her duties on May 7.
A person who enjoys getting out and meeting people, Bradley looks forward to discovering Marysville and the surrounding areas.
In hiring Barb Bradley, “we hired a winner,” said Alan W. Sorter, president and CEO of Freedom Media Group, Inc, the parent company of the Union County Post. “Barb’s energy and enthusiasm is infectious and we are excited about the results we know she will achieve in Union County.”
Bradley has hit the ground running since starting her new position, making new acquaintances and renewing old ones.
Promoting a convincing sales career has been part of her daily routine for more than 30 years.
Bradley was recommended for the position by Judy Float and Dr. Mike Witzky, of the Union County Mental Health and Recovery Board, who knew about the opening.
“ I know someone who would be perfect to fill the position. Her name is Barb Bradley,” expressed Dr. Witzky.
In her former position as community extension agent for marketing with Memorial Hospital of Union County, Bradley was under a contract that transferred her to Xenia, Ohio.
Whether in real estate, health care or newspapers, Bradley has proven her reputation as a salesperson.
“ I drove into Xenia not knowing one person. Was there for 20 months and had a hard time leaving because I had made so many friends,” said Bradley.
“ Megan’s Made From Scratch,” a restaurant endeavor that Bradley established when her daughter was younger, was the hardest business she has undertaken. “I loved to cook and had never been in a restaurant atmosphere. While selling real estate, I was making gravy at 5:30 in the morning,” said Bradley, who recalled an extensive shoe wardrobe that enabled her to go from preparing breakfast to selling real estate and above all to be comfortable.
“ I have a lot of ideas for the [news]paper. The job need and what I have done seem to go together. That means that maybe I have found the right place,” said Bradley.
“ I am all about my career. To me, quite frankly, work is not work. It is my life. You need to have your professional life, but a person needs to be balanced. It’s very important,” said Bradley.
“ My resume was written three years ago from my heart. It looks like it was written for this position,” she added.
A secretary for 13 years, Bradley says she is not an “at-a-desk or numbers” person and was least suited to fill a position she held in the past – a bookkeeper at a lumber company.
“ That’s why I went into sales,” said Bradley, who became licensed to sell real estate in 1973.
“ I studied and studied to get my license because I am the kind of person who believes in doing things right the first time.”
Bradley became a top-selling realtor in Marion, Ohio during her 30-year career.
As marketing director and “recruiter” for a nursing home, Bradley had an expansive audience and an ample supply of people to talk to. Her experience built her sales confidence level.
“ I loved my community and I know the value of advertising,” said Bradley, who admits that she likes to know the people she works with. “When I met Mr. Sorter, I knew he is one to get his money’s worth. I noticed that when he said, ‘You don’t need a telephone. It let me know that he expects the people in the office to work,” she said.
Based on her background and looking forward to enjoying her new surroundings, Bradley anticipates spending time with her family, relaxing at church, or eating a can of tuna “in the raw” with nothing added to it. She said she also enjoys being in the sunshine on a clear day.
A mixture of doing marketing for a senior living facility and being involved in various aspects of the newspaper business for several years have had an impact on Bradley’s life endeavors. “I’m real interested in people. Everybody’s got a story and I want to find out what it is,” she said.
Within the category of caring individuals, Bradley believes that a person’s positive self-worth is important. “I believe in letting people know you care about them and that their successes are important to you too,” she said.
“ I’m going to have fun at this job,” Bradley added.