Valerie Fishman - Director of Sales
YOLO Colorhouse - Portland, OR
Start Date: March 2008
Valerie Fishman is Director of Sales for YOLO Colorhouse, an environmentally responsible paint company based in Portland, OR. It was one of the first paint companies to come out with zero VOC paint and, according to Valerie, the only paint company that produces 100% non toxic products. Valerie's job is to take reorders from existing clients and grow the company's national distribution. She manages the internal sales team as well as much of the customer service outreach.
Valerie didn't start out in a green job. Most of her career has been spent in sales and sales management in traditional and online media. It was while working for Clear Channel Radio in San Francisco that she decided it was time her career held more purpose for her. In 2007, she drew up a proposal for a green program that would help the company save money and lead other media organizations on a path to a more sustainable future. The program was approved, and she began to implement it.
She and her husband moved to Portland at the end of 2007, where she found a job ad for YOLO online, applied for and got the job.
"I was originally attracted to work at YOLO Colorhouse because of the environmental values of the organization," says Valerie. "I also liked that it was women-owned and women-funded, and a small start up business. I love start ups."
"I've been working in business for 15 years and I see how much of an impact sustainable businesses can have in creating a green economy," she says. She says that, even if you don't work for a green company, "there is always something we can do, and the more each person does, the more we learn from each other, influence others, and create a green economy."
Valerie graduated from University of the Pacific where she majored in communications and minored in sports sciences.
