Every sales rep remembers that one gratifying takedown that solidifies, in his or her mind, that they have found their true professional calling. For Stephanie Keating Phillips, that moment arrived at the tender age of 24, when a large national account win translated into a payday that would enable her to put a down payment on a house.
That was a good day, in more ways than one. Phillips, now the director of production print and solutions for Advanced Imaging Solutions (AIS) in Minnetonka, Minnesota, had graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a double major in education and communications. But even before she walked down the aisle to grab her diploma, Phillips knew a future as a school teacher no longer resonated with her.
But one of the underpinnings of impactful education, a curious mind, steered her to the company started by her father, Mike. Thus, that profitable day that illustrated her curiosity for sales only galvanized her thinking. She was at home, in more ways than one.
“It made it abundantly clear to me that this path I was on in sales was the right path for me,” said Phillips, a 2023 ENX Magazine Difference Maker. “Not just for the financials, which of course were great, but it confirmed that the time and efforts I was putting into my career were paying off.”
It’s safe to say that the world of sales dovetailed with being a collegiate softball player, stoking her competitive fires. The relentless effort required to excel on the softball diamond—practices, strength and conditioning, and game play—had long since prepped her for a business community that dictates maximum effort for desired results.
“First and foremost, I like to be successful. I like to win,” she said. “I am competitive and absolutely love the thrill of a sale. I love our company. I value all our employees and enjoy watching the success of each of our team members in what they do for AIS. I am lucky enough to work with my dad and two brothers, so being able to come to work every day and be with them, there is no amount of money that can take the place of building this company with them.
“I really truly enjoy making a difference in a client’s environment. Whether it is a cost saving or a more efficient workflow, the joy of making people happy is extremely rewarding.”
Core Values
Don’t get the impression that those “competitive fires” have shaped Phillips into an uber-aggressive sales cutthroat, however. She’s long followed the motto of “Work hard, stay humble and be kind,” which can at least be partly attributed to her father’s influence. It was Keating who showed her what hard work looks like, and she values the legacy he is creating at AIS, which includes taking care of the team and its client base.
Certainly, 2022 dealt Phillips and Co. its share of curveballs. It was one of the most taxing years for the production print team, from equipment and parts issues to the supply chain chaos. And while 2023 is shaping up to be a growth year, she hasn’t forgotten the contributions that helped AIS get through its darkest hours. Hard work and consistency, she said, will keep the dealer trending positively.
“It took an entire team to get through these challenges and I admire each part of the group that contributed to getting through it,” Phillips noted.
On the home front, Phillips and her husband of 18 years, Chad, have two daughters—Bailey, 27, and Ella, 16. The Phillips are diehard Minnesota sports fans, particularly the Vikings and Twins. An avid golfer, she’s recently developed a passion for pickleball; however, the family thinks it’s more of an obsession, a key ingredient in fostering passion.
