Women's History Month: Brandi Bishop

A veteran of the industry speaks about her experiences in the workplace.

By Peak Design

March 21^st, 2023

Here at Peak, we have some downright badass women. Women who are experts not just at their job functions, but also at navigating the often unwelcoming waters of the professional world. Women who are making history as we speak. So we interviewed a few of them about their experiences getting to where they are.

First up is Brandi Bishop, our Soft Goods Development Manager. Brandi just started at Peak this past year but is a veteran of the industry, having worked in everything from stage to shoe design. From here, please enjoy her words.

Q: How did you end up where you are now? Is this the career you originally envisioned?

This is not the career path I envisioned for myself. I started my professional life building architectural models and props for theatrical performances. After realizing that I couldn’t make the type of living I wanted on that path, I transitioned to design. I spent a year as a footwear designer, then moved to product development.

I ended up at Peak after I took a 2-year sabbatical from my career path due to burnout. During that time, I reconnected with my passions and took a part-time job in order to pay the bills. Toward the end of that break, I began to miss the collaboration and teamwork that comes with being a part of a product creation team. Peak Design was looking for a Product Developer, so I applied. I went to college with Art and had met Lockett years prior on a business trip, so I knew a little about the company. It also turns out that Lockett’s uncle is someone that I worked closely with for the decade prior to my sabbatical, so there’s a lot to be said about building and maintaining relationships; you never know when you’ll reconnect with people from your past. So, I interviewed and was offered the Product Developer role. The role was an individual contributor level and my background was in managing product development teams, systems, and processes, so within a few months, I was promoted to Soft Goods Development Manager.

Q: Was there anything in particular that drew you to Product Development?

The moments in my career that I find most fulfilling are when I spend time supporting, coaching, and building others up. To me, product development is bringing the ideas of others to life, so it scratches that itch and allows me to use my creativity in a methodical manner.

Q: What's a project you're particularly proud of?

My favorite project ever was when I worked in theater. The director requested that there be a goat in the show. A live goat wasn’t an option (we tried), so I built a lifesize goat prop with a movable jaw so it would look like he was eating. It was super campy, but who else can say they made a “talking” goat?

Q: Did you face any unique challenges (whether related to your gender or not) while on your path to your current position?

Where do I even begin? I have had managers that:

Told me: “In your career, you’ll have to work twice as hard as the guys just to get to the same level as them.” He chose to perpetuate a cycle instead of breaking it. Also, he wasn’t wrong.
Threatened to fire me or ignored me in meetings, whenever I voiced an opinion that was different than his, even though it was done in a professional manner.
Publicly insulted my work in large cross-functional meetings, even when other department leads were praising it.
Told me my emails sounded rude and that adding exclamation points would really soften my tone!
Told me that breathing heavily in a meeting made me come off as rude (I was congested).
Offered me a job above my experience level because he wanted to spend more time with me. My skin still crawls when I think about this, and yes, he told me why he wanted me to work for him.
Told me I was unproven after being promoted for proving I could do the job.

These situations are real and still happen to varying degrees. I’ve spoken to women early in their careers that are still being sent dick pics by their supervisors. As I’ve gotten older, I don’t get the dick pics; instead, my experience, skills, and voice are devalued. It takes a lot of energy to constantly show up and say, “I matter.” You see, my manager wasn’t wrong, I do have to work twice as hard to make sure my opinions hold equal value in a room full of men.

The problem is that, culturally, we expect people to make space for themselves in a room instead of the room creating space for everyone.

Q: What does equity look like to you, and what are some roadblocks to getting there?

This is such a big topic that I will answer with a simple statement: Equity is equal opportunity to education, pay, and advancement.

I find that traits that are considered to be more “feminine” are considered undesirable or cause someone to receive lower remarks on reviews. For example, someone that is quieter may be told they need to speak up; however, I have seen these “quiet” individuals speak up and be ignored. The problem is that, culturally, we expect people to make space for themself in a room instead of the room creating space for everyone. Just because someone isn’t loud, assertive, or aggressive does not mean that their opinions and work are of lesser quality. Until we can make space for all voices, we will limit the diversity we see in a room. The way we look and the environments we grow up in shape how we respond to different situations; and if we expect, or even subconsciously desire, everyone to react the same way that we do, the people we work with continue to look just like us.

Q: How do you take care of yourself and your mental wellbeing?

I have a daily yoga & meditation practice. I've been doing this for almost 10 years and it has made me a much more patient person. Also, practicing healthy boundaries is one of the best life lessons I’ve learned.

Q: What advice would you give to other women who may be facing challenges in achieving their goals, whether they be professional or otherwise?

As I write this, I write it for myself just as much as others: Stop accepting less than you deserve. You know what you're worth. You know your value. You know what you contribute. Stand up for yourself, because by doing so, you’re paving the path for the women that are next.

Q: Are there any other women whose work you would like to bring attention to?

Most definitely; Grace Bonney is the author of “Collective Wisdom” and “In the Company of Women.” These books are a compilation of women sharing their stories. Reading these short interviews lifts me up in times when my motivation is low.

The other night I met Carolyn Buck Luce, the author of “EPIC! The Women’s Power Play Book.” She has had an epic career path being a diplomat and high-level executive on wall street that now coaches female leaders.

Anne Devereux-Mills started Parlay House, an inclusive community of women that inform, nurture and inspire. Parlay House hosts events with the intent to empower and create a universal sense of belonging for women of all ages, race, and sexual orientation. It’s a space to connect with one another over intimate conversations and form meaningful bonds.

There are many more women who inspire me and support me as a professional and a human being, but I'd rather leave you with this quote by Kavita N. Ramdas:

We need women who are so strong they can be gentle, so educated they can be humble, so fierce they can be compassionate, so passionate they can be rational, and so disciplined they can be free.