Getting a Seat at the Table, Thanks to Golf

Smart women use sport to gain influence in business, and Janice “Jake” Blake, a National Account Manager for a food service company, is an excellent example.

Janice has worked in the food business since 1996 handling national accounts, acquiring and maintaining national clients. Golf and business intersected with her personal life when she met her husband on the golf course, which she shares with Chantel McCabe, sideline reporter and Dormie Network ambassador, in the following interview.

How did you get introduced to golf?

I first started playing golf in the early 90s when I moved to New Jersey. I was in my early 30’s.

In business there were a lot of golf outings and fundraisers and to be part of them, you had to be able to play golf. So I learned.

I got my beginner bag of clubs for $300 and started to take some lessons. I went to Scottsdale with my sister where we took some private lessons and played nine holes with a PGA professional to really get a feel for it. I came back home and continued to take lessons. I’ve never become a good golfer but I’ve been a good enough golfer to go out there and play.

How have golf and business intersected in your life?

When I was in New Jersey, first I was working for a distributor and was working with chain accounts, and there was always a fundraiser where you went out and played with other customers and employees. As I moved along in my career, there were other corporate events.

I worked for a big ingredient company and we were involved with events not attached to but related to the National Restaurant Association, which meant all your accounts would be there.

You’d go in a day early, or cut out half a day later to be able to go out and play golf and interact with the decision-makers. That’s huge because you’re out of the office, you’re in a casual environment, people will say things when they aren’t sitting in their office. I think it’s different than today because things were a lot more structured than they are today because now people are working from home. People who are in a structured environment, could come out and get on a golf course and chew the fat and come up with business opportunities for new projects, a bid,  or whatever it might be.

What is something that happened in business for you that only happened because you were able to nurture that relationship on the golf course?

When I was working for ConAgra, in the food ingredient division, I was selling to chain restaurants. As a supplier, it was highly suggested that you participate in their fundraisers for the Boys and Girls Club. You would donate money and were able to attend ‘x amount’ of events. I was working with coworkers who worked in other divisions of my company and you could pick the events you wanted to go to. Everyone wanted to go to the greatest golf courses. Who didn’t want to play at Firestone Country Club? We chose them by how strong the franchisee group was within the corporate chain account structure and were given opportunities to sell products to them where the franchisees had a big voice within the corporate entity. So to utilize an opportunity that was given to us by the chain account, but then make the connection to the franchisee to then go back and gain business. It was huge! Otherwise, you’re knocking on doors. You don’t have four hours with somebody. It doesn’t happen. Everybody is too busy.

How do you think women are perceived on the golf course now, in the business setting, compared to twenty years ago?

I think things are much more on an equal basis. I never felt any prejudice or animosity walking on a golf course. As long as you could hit your golf ball and weren’t you know, scuffing it or having 12 shots into the water. But I think women have gained respect in all sports and in business and it’s not a man’s world. Maybe it was 20 years ago. I think the sports world, golf, and women have come a long way. 

I also think the access women have to playing the sport, whether it’s on public or private courses and access to events that include women have come a long way compared to 20 years ago.

How has golf affected personal relationships, including how you met your husband?

So I met him at a corporate outing event if you can believe that!?

It was in Dayton, Ohio, when I was with ConAgra while I was playing with a guy that I work with. We were both there because the franchisee was really strong in Dayton. I met my future (now my current) husband on the golf course. He happened to be paired with me and the guy I work with.

Beyond that, it’s a way to get out and relax. It’s healthy, you’re outside, and it’s good activity. Where we play—I’m an animal lover—and there’s so much wildlife on the course and birds on the course. I love it! I wish I could play much more.

Interview by Chantel McCabe

Learn more about the Dormie Network experience, or check out more stories on how one woman built relationships through golf and an organization that empowers women through the game.