“Practice makes progress” isn’t just the best advice that Linda Dameron has ever received; it is the mantra that has helped propel her to four promotions in 12 years at Crown Asset Management. And she’s nowhere near being done yet. Then again, being outside of her comfort zone is where she thrives. Read on to learn more about Linda, her love of couponing, and the adventures that she has been able to have thanks to her obsession with Groupon.
Name: Linda Dameron
Current Role/Job Title: I am currently the Director of Consumer Accounting managing a team of two Staff Accountants and one Senior Accountant, collaborating with servicers to ensure and maintain account balance integrity between systems of record.
Company: Crown Asset Management, LLC
Length of time at current company: I am coming up on my twelve-year work anniversary this May.
Length of time in industry: I have been in the industry for twelve years this May.
How did you get your start in the industry?
I was juggling college with being Room Mom, PTO President, and Vice President of the Friends of the Library when an acquaintance asked me why I was working for free. With the astounding realization that I could get paid for my services, I prepared myself to start a career while earning an actual salary for my efforts. Four weeks before graduating with my bachelor’s degree, and what felt like hundreds of applications and several interviews later, I landed a Cash Receipts Accountant position with Crown Asset Management, LLC.
What is your career highlight so far?
The highlight of my career has been the progress I have made both professionally and personally. I have received multiple promotions over the years, moving from Cash Receipts Accountant to Staff Accountant to Senior Accountant to Accounting Manager to Director of Consumer Accounting with aspirations of promoting even further. Stepping out of my comfort zone by attending various conferences has also allowed me to network with some remarkable people within the industry.
When or how are you most productive?
I find that I am most productive when a deadline is looming, not necessarily out of procrastination, but rather so I can organize my ideas and create a realistic timeline for all the necessary steps required for completion. It is also best when I am working towards reaching a goal that impacts others. I find it motivating to prioritize completing projects or assignments that will help others over something that will only help myself.
Which industry professional do you admire most?
The individual I admire most is actually no longer working in the industry. I was fortunate to meet Amber Westbrook at the 2021 Women in Consumer Finance conference. She was her authentic self during the Salon Session: Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff for Women, confidently providing her thoughts directly to the author even when met with unbelievably blank stares from the audience. I immediately knew that I had to connect with her, and we have been great friends ever since.
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
I am extremely good at finding a positive spin on most negative situations. I have found that focusing on the negative impact leads to overthinking and overall delays attaining the desired outcome; therefore, I strive to be optimistic and push past the negativity. Unfortunately, some interpretate this characteristic as being too nice. So of course, my response is to plaster a big smile on my face and push forward.
What do you like most about this industry?
I am most impressed with the collaboration and willingness of everyone to share information, especially after attending ARMTech and meeting several individuals that were open to discussing their knowledge about payment portals when they learned that was the reason for my attendance. I have learned so much during follow up discussions and other networking opportunities. The inclination to help others succeed is inspiring.
What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
One thing I would like to change about this industry is the negative image that is portrayed about it. I have dreams of educating school aged children about finances and aiding those seeking to obtain financial freedom.
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
There are so many other things that I would like to do, even while working in this industry. I aspire to do all the creative things such as write children’s books, paint murals, plan parties, and entertain through music or singing. The possibilities are endless!
Describe a typical work day
The work day varies but is typically filled with meetings, problem solving, collaboration among various departments within the organization, and assisting servicers with consumer accounting related processes. Only recently have I altered my mindset in believing I must complete everything by end of day and have become satisfied with knowing that there is bountiful work to be encountered tomorrow.
What is your guilty pleasure?
My guilty pleasure is couponing. It takes a lot of time to gather all the potential deals and can be disappointing if something is out of stock, but I find it rewarding for my groceries to accompany a receipt full of significant savings. There have even been a handful of times in my couponing days where the cashier ended up paying me for my grocery haul.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice that I have ever received is to rephrase “practice makes perfect” into “practice makes progress.” Changing my perspective with this saying has pushed me to take on more risks without the unnecessary fear of imminent doom.
What are you currently reading?
I participate in multiple book clubs to get a variety of genres under my belt and expand my network. We recently wrapped up Jon Acuff’s “Soundtracks” and Stephen King’s “Fairy Tale.” Lucy Broadbent’s “What Would Ted Lasso Do?” and Andrea Owen’s “Make Some Noise” are up next. I would also highly recommend “Unoffendable” by Brant Hansen and “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens.
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you?
I am obsessed with Groupon and Pinterest. Groupon has provided entertainment beyond my wildest imagination with skydiving, air shows, and bull riding to name a few. Pinterest helps bring out my creativity when planning my children’s birthday parties, making homemade gifts, and searching for new recipes to try.
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
I would like to see Kat O’Brien answer these questions. I had the pleasure of meeting her at the 2022 ACA’s Visionaries conference last November and can only imagine the spunky answers she would provide!
