Pepper Talk with Hayley Beirne ⋆ Eleven Peppers Studios

Pepper Talk with Hayley Beirne

It’s time for another Pepper Talk!

Just a little background before we get started, Hayley works as a Proposal & Business Development Manager doing opportunity capture, proposal management, and business development. She’s been with Eleven Peppers for 8 months.

1. Do you have any nicknames?
Hayls, Hay, HayBae

2. What is the first thing you do when you wake up?
I try to be up before my kids, so I can sneak in some quiet time in the front room recliner and maybe get a cup of coffee. 60% of the time, it works.

3. What is your favorite part about working as a proposal manager?
I am super competitive. I love words. And I love analyzing things: breaking them down into their smallest components and understanding what makes someone or something tick. I get to marry all of those passions in this job: I figure out what customers need, and then I do all I can to score an 11P WIN.

4. How did you get started in this industry?
Kind of by chance. I majored in English in college and thought maybe I’d want to work in publishing or even teach. But a friend knew a SDVOSB (service-disabled veteran-owned small business) who was looking for an entry-level marketing professional, and I built up my marketing and proposal skills from there.

5. What are your favorite tools of the trade?
I am digging Monday lately for project management and collaboration. But I’ll always be a good old-fashioned notebook and pen girl.

6. Rapid-Fire Round:

Caffeine or no: Oh, we’re besties.

Sweet or savory: Sweet all the way.

Favorite TV series: There is so much great TV these days, it’s hard to choose! But I think of a “favorite” as something that brings me joy and “The O.C.” and “New Girl” have never let me down.

Favorite place to travel: I don’t know. That’s a big bucket list item for me when the kids get a bit older. First up is a West Coast trip to visit family in California and Washington! And I’ve never been out of the country, but Italy is at the top of my list.

Hobbies: Playing music with my brother (I’m inept with instruments, I sing), watercolor painting, reading, gardening, baking, finding new things to cook with my husband or son. I also love to be outside any chance I get! There are so many great trails in Harford County, so I enjoy exploring those.

9. Okay, admission time… What is your favorite task/project you work on?
Lately it’s opportunity capture: teasing out all the components of an opportunity and seeing if it’s a great match for our skills and our Peppers. It’s fun to me! Bring it on.