From navigating a high-stakes maternity leave during the pandemic to stepping in as interim CEO during a health crisis, Chrissy Dunlap, Chief Revenue Officer at BirdieBox, knows what it means to lead with heart and grit. Her journey is a masterclass in balancing personal adversity with professional leadership, and she shares it all on this week’s episode of Real Leadership.
From her start in the sports industry to leading one of the most innovative players in a $250 billion gifting industry, Chrissy’s story is packed with insights for leaders across all sectors.
In this episode, Chrissy dives into how BirdieBox scaled its unique gifting model, built partnerships with industry giants like the Dallas Cowboys, and navigated pivotal moments, including the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With humor, candor, and actionable insights, Chrissy shares stories about overcoming challenges and building a people-first company culture.
Episode Highlights:- The Power of Personalization: How BirdieBox is redefining corporate gifting by blending psychology with curated, high-end products.
- Leadership in Crisis: Chrissy’s journey navigating COVID-19, balancing maternity leave with professional responsibilities, and leading a team through uncertainty.
- Scaling with Intention: The pivotal moments that propelled BirdieBox from a small startup to a leader in corporate gifting, including a key partnership with the Dallas Cowboys.
- Sales with a Purpose: Chrissy’s philosophy on active listening, staying curious, and creating authentic connections in sales.
- 00:01:47 – Chrissy’s serendipitous start in the sports industry and her rise to leadership.
- 01:28:57 – What makes BirdieBox a standout in the $250 billion gifting industry.
- 14:10:24 – How BirdieBox pivoted during COVID-19 with “COVID care packages.”
- 25:03:79 – A meeting with the Dallas Cowboys that changed everything for BirdieBox.
- 35:12:70 – Chrissy’s advice for leaders on active listening and staying curious.
Love this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe to Real Leadership for more candid conversations with leaders who make, move, and process. Stay inspired—follow us on LinkedIn for updates on upcoming episodes and actionable insights.
Connect with Chrissy Dunlap on LinkedIn or explore BirdieBox’s unique gifting solutions at BirdieBox.com.
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