It’s not uncommon for some to enjoy their dream job as simply an extension of where and how their career path has prepared them. For Denine Woodrow, 
President and Manager of dp Woodrow & Company, LLC, a full service business development firm, her career preparation has provided the skills to recognize and define a company’s brand while establishing great business-to-business relationships. “I have met some of the most amazing people in my work and have had the opportunity to work with products, markets, and people around the world,” says Woodrow.
And although she admits that what she is currently experiencing is some of the “HARDEST work” that she has ever done, Woodrow is thrilled about the opportunities that she has to “make exciting things happen” to benefit her clients and when considering this opportunity as a dream job, she considers herself to be “very fortunate to have the opportunity” to use her expertise to benefits others.
Prior to opening her consulting firm in 2005, Woodrow worked for over 20 years establishing new business opportunities for companies such as E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Company, Inc., The Dow Chemical Company and DST Systems. Her responsibilities included creating brand awareness, strategic planning and expansion into emerging markets for new and existing products.
At dp, she focuses on providing her clients with a strategic business plan that includes market feasibility, program profitability, and product marketing. The company also offers international expertise by working with businesses such as the Australian Wool Organization, Lenzing Plastics, and Advansa, which is known as Europe’s polyester leader.
Woodrow’s international experience extends as far as Australia, where Lenzing Plastics is located. This company is one of the world’s leading producers of polyolefin and fluoropolymer products. Lenzing requested the assistance of dp to develop a go-to-market strategy for placing high-end technical performance products. dp was instrumental in prioritizing their product offering with the current needs and direction of brands and retailers in the US. Specific target segmentation was developed and is currently being implemented.
If you do not recognize the names of Advansa and AWI or Lenzing Plastics, perhaps companies that are a little closer to home may help. dp has made the acquaintance of a fairly popular retail giant by the name of Brooks Brothers and has also assisted US based New Merino in their trends and development.
For New Merino, the goal was to enhance their brand. Involved in third party certification process for tracing Australian wool from farms to retail, New Merino’s brand was not where it needed to be. The result includes a process where “pure, ethical and sustainable farm practices” are the focus, says Woodrow. Additionally, “dp has worked collaboratively with other brands and retailers to ensure that trends and development needs” are matched with New Merino.
With Brooks Brothers, the goal was to develop “opportunities and marketing strategies.” If you’re not familiar with this organization, Brooks Brothers is an apparel retailer that provides both business and casual clothing for men and women.
The company is known for their classically modern apparel that celebrates high quality and impeccable customer service. The goal for dp was to specifically engage Brooks Brothers in opportunities to expand their business. In additional to “preparing a business plan that outlines consistent and profitable market segments,” dp focused on “building their business and target customers that are consistent with their demographics,” says Woodrow. By balancing their “strength with their brand and product line, – Brooks Brothers was able to enter the market in a more focused way and [has demonstrated] a profitable portion to the Brooks Brothers portfolio.”
Although dp’s success stories are too numerous to review, I can share with you that Woodrow’s passion and dedication to serve her customers, or partners as she prefers to call them, is just part of the reason why this company is excelling. And Denine Woodrow has fortunately tapped into something that only some of us have the opportunity to experience, a dream job.
