For all the talk about the fact that this industry is shrinking and not a place for innovators, I give you Tracy Davis, who left a career in digital marketing to join the industry just four months ago. And in that time, she has already started to grasp what makes this industry such a special place. New to the industry or not, Tracy is the kind of thinker this industry needs. Read on to learn more about Tracy, her interesting side-hustle, and why she’s the type of person you want on your team when the going gets tough.
Name: Tracy Davis
Job Title: Director of Digital Strategy and Operations
Company: Quanta Credit Services
Length of time at current company: 4 months
Length of time in industry: In the collections industry – 4 months. I’ve been in digital marketing and operations for more than 20 years.
How did you get your start in the industry?
I was with a large marketing agency with over 65k employees globally for many years. I was looking for a change of pace – somewhere where I could truly have an impact. Fintech startup was the answer and Quanta was a perfect fit for me. I’ve been able to bring my big agency knowledge to the fast-paced environment of a startup – and I love it!
What is your career highlight so far?
It is pretty early in my collections career, but for my overall career (my life before collections), I would say that my work with nonprofit organizations has been the highlight. I’ve helped organizations raise millions of dollars over the years. Knowing that you are having a monumental impact in people’s lives is truly rewarding and quite a highlight.
When or how are you most productive?
Definitely when things get crazy. While some people freeze when they are overwhelmed by too many things flying at them at once, I thrive in that environment. The pressure seems to motivate me.
Which industry professional do you admire most?
I’ve already met some amazing people, but I’d like to hold off on answering this question until I have more time under my belt.
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
I’m not typically one to brag, so this was a difficult question to answer. If I had to come up with something, I guess I’d say that my ability to understand a request and solution it accordingly. I have often been told that I have a gift for translating technical concepts into laypersons terms. This works both ways. I can take vague project requirements and turn them into a technical project plan – and of course, I can execute against the plan.
What do you like most about this industry?
Hands down, it is the people. I’ve met so many amazing people in the short time I’ve been in the industry.
What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
At the risk of sounding repetitive, I think I’m too new to suggest big changes. At this early stage, I think the biggest thing I’d change is the approach to collections. We say things like “it is easy to pay” – when for some (probably even for many), it isn’t easy. No matter how simple your website is or how easy it is to set up a payment plan, in the financial position people have gotten themselves into, they may not see an easy path out. I would love to see more education prior to people winding up in collections – and once they’re in collections, more education about how to manage their way out of it.
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
A loaded question for someone like me! I have been in the music industry, emergency medicine, and digital marketing. I also own a small woodworking company. So what would I be doing if not in this industry? I’d say that is anyone’s guess!
Describe a typical work day
My typical days are often filled with meetings: client meetings, vendor meetings, company meetings, team meetings – you get the picture. My team and I also spend a lot of time building out email and SMS/MMS campaigns. I also spend quite a bit of the day researching and solutioning. With all the compliance concerns around the collections industry, it is my team’s responsibility to ensure that we are implementing based on the regulatory requirements, but also CAN-SPAM and deliverability requirements.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Right now, it is Plant-Based Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Surround yourself with people who are living your dream. You never want to be the smartest or wealthiest person in the room.
What are you currently reading?
“Leaders Eat Last” by Simon Sinek. Great book about being a servant leader.
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you?
I love woodworking. I built my first dining room table for $100 in lumber because I couldn’t afford the table I wanted. After that, I was hooked. During the pandemic, I started a small woodworking company called Women Who Wood with my daughter and my best friend. It has been such a fun experience and a great way to create something tangible as opposed to the digital world I work and live in.
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
Anyone who is interested in learning more about me.
