I am thrilled to announce that the Getting to Know series is sponsored by TEC Services Group. TEC Services Group is the leading technology and professional services firm in the credit collections industry offering both leading industry solutions along with unrivaled, unbiased, and experienced support. TEC is now extending its services by offering proven, industry-leading technology solutions alongside of our Professional Services to help Clients feel confident in their technology decisions. Learn more at ww.tecsg.com.
Pauline Gaudio loves a challenge. She loves being told that something can’t be done. Perhaps that explains why she has thrived in the credit and collection industry, first as a skiptracer and now as an agency owner. This industry is not for the faint of heart. But thanks to a group of peers supporting and empowering her, Pauline has become a success story. Read on to learn more about Pauline, the book that goes with her everywhere, and where you’re likely to find her on weekends with her husband and dog.
Name: Pauline Gaudio
Job Title: CEO
Company: Collexx, Inc.
Length of time at current company: Eight years
Length of time in industry: 18 years
How did you get your start in the industry?
I needed a job after college. My then boyfriend (now husband)’s mother told me a local law firm was hiring and that they did work with them with the family business. I applied and started my first grown-up job at a collection law firm in the skip tracing/asset location department.
What is your career highlight so far?
Being able, with my husband, to keep Collexx as a second-generation family owned and operated collection agency a little over a year ago.
When or how are you most productive?
After hours when everyone is gone.
Which industry professional do you admire most?
This is hard. I have three that I credit with our agency still being in business today. In no particular order: Joey Nichols, Calder Willingham and Kelli Van Cleave. Kelli introduced me to both Joey and Calder at my first ACA conference and the advice and encouragement from them and from everyone else in attendance gave me the baseline knowledge of what I need to do, the courage to do it, and the encouragement that if I wanted it I could do it.
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
Listening. When someone shares their story I listen for the successes, the failures, the struggles, all of it. I try to learn from what I’m hearing – if someone wants to share, I will listen and apply what I can and take the hard lessons they share without doing it myself.
What do you like most about this industry?
Everyone in the industry. I don’t think any other industry has people like us. Where your competition will help lift you up and encourage you.
What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
For those outside our industry to understand we are not the bad guys. We are not “evil”.
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
I have no idea. I probably would’ve gone to law school and changed careers a few times.
Describe a typical work day.
As a small agency I don’t have typical days. I try to prioritize my time in helping my staff, growing the business, getting the company caught up on technology and keep up with industry news/trends/best practices.
What is your guilty pleasure?
I love to travel and go to concerts with my husband. Weekend trips with our dog are my favorite.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
This is so hard. I’ve been given so many tiny morsels of advice and encouragement by others in the industry that with out every bit of it I wouldn’t be where I am or who I am today. I think the advice that really changed my path in a positive way was being told to update my software before adding new technologies like email and texting. I wish I could remember exactly who told me that because they deserve a hug.
What are you currently reading?
I am not an avid reader – I’m more of an audible girl. However, I decided about two years ago to read every book my dental hygienist recommended. The first book she recommended to me was “Fourth Wing.” My copy of the book is the most well-travelled unread book. I think it has attended every conference with me and remains a loyal travel companion. Maybe one day I’ll actually read it – my hygienist gives me a new recommendation every six months.
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you?
I love a good challenge. Tell me I can’t. Tell me it’s impossible. Odds are against me? Watch me find a way.
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
Heather Stampley at Lake Area Collections.
I am thrilled to announce that the Getting to Know series is sponsored by TEC Services Group. TEC Services Group is the leading technology and professional services firm in the credit collections industry offering both leading industry solutions along with unrivaled, unbiased, and experienced support. TEC is now extending its services by offering proven, industry-leading technology solutions alongside of our Professional Services to help Clients feel confident in their technology decisions. Learn more at ww.tecsg.com.
Pauline Gaudio loves a challenge. She loves being told that something can’t be done. Perhaps that explains why she has thrived in the credit and collection industry, first as a skiptracer and now as an agency owner. This industry is not for the faint of heart. But thanks to a group of peers supporting and empowering her, Pauline has become a success story. Read on to learn more about Pauline, the book that goes with her everywhere, and where you’re likely to find her on weekends with her husband and dog.
Name: Pauline Gaudio
Job Title: CEO
Company: Collexx, Inc.
Length of time at current company: Eight years
Length of time in industry: 18 years
How did you get your start in the industry?
I needed a job after college. My then boyfriend (now husband)’s mother told me a local law firm was hiring and that they did work with them with the family business. I applied and started my first grown-up job at a collection law firm in the skip tracing/asset location department.
What is your career highlight so far?
Being able, with my husband, to keep Collexx as a second-generation family owned and operated collection agency a little over a year ago.
When or how are you most productive?
After hours when everyone is gone.
Which industry professional do you admire most?
This is hard. I have three that I credit with our agency still being in business today. In no particular order: Joey Nichols, Calder Willingham and Kelli Van Cleave. Kelli introduced me to both Joey and Calder at my first ACA conference and the advice and encouragement from them and from everyone else in attendance gave me the baseline knowledge of what I need to do, the courage to do it, and the encouragement that if I wanted it I could do it.
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
Listening. When someone shares their story I listen for the successes, the failures, the struggles, all of it. I try to learn from what I’m hearing – if someone wants to share, I will listen and apply what I can and take the hard lessons they share without doing it myself.
What do you like most about this industry?
Everyone in the industry. I don’t think any other industry has people like us. Where your competition will help lift you up and encourage you.
What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
For those outside our industry to understand we are not the bad guys. We are not “evil”.
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
I have no idea. I probably would’ve gone to law school and changed careers a few times.
Describe a typical work day.
As a small agency I don’t have typical days. I try to prioritize my time in helping my staff, growing the business, getting the company caught up on technology and keep up with industry news/trends/best practices.
What is your guilty pleasure?
I love to travel and go to concerts with my husband. Weekend trips with our dog are my favorite.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
This is so hard. I’ve been given so many tiny morsels of advice and encouragement by others in the industry that with out every bit of it I wouldn’t be where I am or who I am today. I think the advice that really changed my path in a positive way was being told to update my software before adding new technologies like email and texting. I wish I could remember exactly who told me that because they deserve a hug.
What are you currently reading?
I am not an avid reader – I’m more of an audible girl. However, I decided about two years ago to read every book my dental hygienist recommended. The first book she recommended to me was “Fourth Wing.” My copy of the book is the most well-travelled unread book. I think it has attended every conference with me and remains a loyal travel companion. Maybe one day I’ll actually read it – my hygienist gives me a new recommendation every six months.
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you?
I love a good challenge. Tell me I can’t. Tell me it’s impossible. Odds are against me? Watch me find a way.
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
Heather Stampley at Lake Area Collections.
