Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Donna Schmucker. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Donna, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

The best way to learn something is to dive into it and make mistakes. I was very intimidated when I first started with GEN-Y because my desire to be the best I could be was strong, and my field knowledge was very limited. I wanted to excel and come up with the best possible marketing plan and portfolio I could. However, I had very little real-world experience to lean on so I had to jump right in. Looking back, I think I could’ve researched the market more earlier on. I did a great job of asking questions, but didn’t dive into our targeted demographics and analytics as much. The skills that helped me the most would have to be my adaptability, creativity, and boldness. Thankfully, I had very little standing in the way of learning more. I was heavily supported by my coworkers and leaders within the company. They walked alongside me and taught me so much in the beginning of my career.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I got into this industry through a mutual connection who introduced me to GEN-Y Hitch. I was in my senior year of college, studying Marketing and Advertising. GEN-Y had a position open for a Marketing Director, so I applied and got the job right after college. I was looking to be a part of a team that values hard work, integrity, and continuous improvement. Manufacturing has always been about more than just producing products. It’s about solving real problems for people who depend on their equipment every day. At GEN-Y, we design and manufacture heavy-duty towing products and equipment that help contractors, RV owners, farmers, and everyday truck owners move what matters safely and efficiently. What really sets our company apart is our commitment to engineering and durability. We focus on building products that are not only innovative but also overbuilt to handle the toughest conditions. One example is our patented TORSION-FLEX Technology, which helps reduce shock and stress while towing. That kind of engineering allows us to solve a real problem for our customers by making towing safer, smoother, and more reliable – all while being made in America! Beyond the products themselves, what I’m most proud of is the culture we’ve built within the company. Our team takes pride in what we do, and we believe strongly in investing in our people supporting our customers, and standing behind what we make. We’re committed to American manufacturing and continually looking for ways to grow while staying true to our core values. Through our work, we aim to create products that our customers can trust and a company that people want to be a part of. Whether it’s a dealer, a customer, or someone joining our team, we want them to know that we take pride in doing things the right way and building something that lasts.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Growing our social media pages has been a fun challenge. When looking at the market, our social following is the strongest compared to all of our competitors. We were able to grow so quickly because of our ability to get in front of the camera and be relatable to our audience. I think many business accounts struggle to put a face to the brand and connect with their followers. By engaging in funny videos, going live, responding quickly to comments and messages, we were able to grow relationships with our customers. They feel a personal connection to us. We’ve had numerous followers express their fondness of our relatable content and that they look forward to watching our videos pop up on their feed.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

Be genuine! I’m invested in my team’s success and want them to see/feel my genuine interest in seeing them grow in their roles and beyond. Building trust is also vital. I hold my team accountable and I expect them to hold me accountable to things I promise I will do. If I don’t lead by example, why would my team trust me? Communicating clearly and frequently is also important. I set clear goals and keep lines open to my team to avoid misunderstandings and make people feel heard.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.genyhitch.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/genyhitch/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/genyhitch/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/5398872/admin/dashboard/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrbGOcQU6wYYPCpcLkRsBRg