Meet Krysten Wharton, Sr. Assistant District Manager, and read about her career journey at AMP.

I started at AMP June 2019 (time flies when you are having fun). I quit my job 3 months prior with no plan as I was working long hours, and it was a very cut throat industry. I had a photography business at the time and that got me by, but I knew I wanted more for myself. I interviewed with Lindsay Sullivan, and immediately fell in love with AMP. I had no idea that a company existed that helped small businesses. The company culture she talked about to me sounded amazing.

The first few months were honestly a blur. I remember driving to DeKalb for what was a week long training, and asking myself multiple times “Can I really do this work?” I made a commitment to myself that I could, and that I would always give it my best to be great. Connie LaPak and Kevin Franz both provided me with words of encouragement that have stuck with me over the course of the last two and a half years. Those words truly helped shaped the trajectory of my career. I also owe a lot of credit to Lindsay Sullivan, Brian Franczak, Rick Tough and Chad Campbell as they are all so selfless, and truly understand how to be great at this work. They definitely help to hold me accountable.

When I think about AMP and words to live by a couple quotes come to mind. I’m extremely competitive, and competition has always been a huge part of my life. My email signature includes the quote “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take- Wayne Gretzky” as it really is true. In work and in life in general, you have to take chances. You can’t be afraid of the unknown. Some of my best and most memorable sales at AMP have come from being uncomfortable. Kobe Bryant also coined the term “Mamba Mentality”. One of my favorite nicknames throughout the Central Region is Mamba Shark. Mamba Mentality is basically a way of thinking — a way of life — and never settling. Kobe Bryant was someone who always consistently elevated his game. I try to do the same here at AMP, and that is something I try to show others in the organization. Don’t compete against the next person, compete against yourself.

I love that every day at AMP is different, and a new chance to change lives (including my own). Working in different parts of the state, meeting people with different lifestyles or views has always been important to me. I take bits and pieces from every community I work in and it helps me to appreciate how much work goes into running a successful business. When I can go into a small business and have a conversation with a business owner, I may not know everything the business does or how it operates, but I know I can rely on asking great questions to get them to open up. Watching business have success, and go from a home-based business, to having success outside of their community is always so rewarding.

I try to always soak in information like a sponge. When I realized that was the key to success here at AMP, I ran with it. Being Rookie of the Year Runner Up in 2019 was a huge accomplishment for me. I had only been with the company for 6 months, but I worked so hard so it was really cool to be recognized amongst my peers — all of the rookies were really incredible. Securing President’s Achievement Award 3 years in a row also feels really good. The requirements get slightly harder each year to make sure reps are stretching themselves in a good way. To know my sales, both revenue and by product, have increased each year since I started shows me I can do anything I put my mind to. I tell new reps this all the time. The recognition I have received that I am most proud of is being in the Top 10 Trainers in the company the last two years. To know that I work hard for myself, but can also show how hard work pays off with other reps is invaluable to me. I learn just as much from being out with other reps and leaders on training days. Those days are truly my favorites.

For anyone looking to grow with the organization, be a sponge! Pay close attention on training days. Work on AMPU. Listen to the morning success calls and the new Podcast AMP has. Ask questions and raise your hand to do more. I constantly think about evolution not only for myself but for the company, and our culture is so amazing. We have so many resources at our fingertips, and being able to take the tools you are given in initial sales training, work hard at them and make them your own — the sky is the limit at AMP. I am forever grateful for all of the opportunities this company has provided me.