Despite her 20-plus years as a highly regarded professional, Vicki Rosetti-Applewhite admits to moments of insecurity.
“Like a lot of women, there have been times that I have doubted my worth,” says the Gulf Coast native, owner of Core Strategies powered by Sales Xceleration. “Maybe fear of failure or fear of measuring up to others’ standards may be a better way to describe this.”
Nonetheless, Rosetti-Applewhite has persevered on the path to success, collecting educational and career accolades that include “Young Careerist” for the Lighthouse Business and Professional Women and the University of Southern Mississippi Munro Petroleum Business Student of the Year. Her current role has her devising and implementing sales strategies for small- to medium-sized businesses. She categorizes her typical clients as operations with revenue ranging from $5-$50 million. They generally don’t need a high-level sales executive on the payroll indefinitely, Rosetti-Applewhite explains – but they benefit from the expertise she provides on an outsourced basis.
“It has been a good fit for me and my lifestyle,” she says. “I love projects, and helping others become successful. And, I really love working for myself.”
For others looking to advance in their lives and careers, Rosetti Applewhite says don’t be afraid to ask for help and “just keep moving forward.” Any person’s most powerful asset is her mind, she maintains, and she urges others not to discount their own abilities.
“It’s easy to say things like ‘be brave’ — but the most empowering thing to do is to learn to control your thoughts in a productive and positive way,” she says. “You truly can do anything that has been put in your heart as an idea or a dream if you can overcome your own self-created fears and doubts.”
Outside the office, the “well-disguised introvert” has been married to her husband, Roger, for seven years. She also donates time to the Mississippi Arts Commission, the Bacot McCarty Foundation, the Friends of the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center of Arts and Education and the Walter Anderson Museum of Art.
“All of my volunteer efforts are focused on using art to improve lives in our community and in Mississippi,” she says.
Community, to Rosetti-Applewhite, is a place where people feel a sense of belonging and can use their unique gifts for the common good.