Betsy Weakland has spent decades demonstrating her professional prowess in vendor management, sourcing, and product development. Today, she is thriving as the director of private brands for Pet Supplies Plus in Novi, Michigan.
After graduating in 2003 from Kalamazoo College with a Bachelor of Arts in political science, Chinese language, and culture, Ms. Weakland began volunteering with the Michigan Humane Society. She enjoyed working there so much that she became a full-time adoption counselor and operations coordinator. In 2006, she worked as an administrative assistant for HoMedics Inc., a consumer, packaged goods company. During more than 10 years with the company, Ms. Weakland gained key experience in sales support and product development, serving as a product manager from 2008 to 2016. She transitioned to a role as a sourcing manager for Personal Care Products LLC in Troy, Michigan, where she worked on private brand products that the company produced for major retailers, including Walmart, Walgreens, and CVS. Further, from 2019 to 2021, she was a marketing manager for Waltonwood Twelve Oaks, a senior living facility in Novi, Michigan, a period she considers a highlight of her career.
Ms. Weakland believes the experience of assisting families with placing their loved ones in caring and supportive communities defines her career and notes that it helped her grow as a person. In 2021, she became the global sourcing manager for Cannatron in Oak Park, Michigan, a company that sold and distributed cannabis-adjacent products in the newly legalized Michigan cannabis industry.
Pursuing her passion for animals, in 2022, Ms. Weakland started her current role at Pet Supplies Plus as the director of private brands. In this position, she leverages her expertise in managing relationships with vendors to work with overseas vendors from China, India, and Europe. Thanks to her ability to speak Mandarin, she facilitates effective communication despite cultural differences and potential language barriers. Ms. Weakland works hard to ensure that her team stays focused on company priorities and always fulfills their roles and responsibilities. She guides those around her to become better problem-solvers.
Moreover, at Pet Supplies Plus, Ms. Weakland is responsible for identifying growth opportunities, developing strategies, and ensuring that the company offers a consistent and identifiable value proposition to customers. She is dedicated to making sure the brands she offers are advantageous for store owners and consumers alike. Ms. Weakland takes pride in seeing her team members progress in their careers and take on promotions with roles requiring more significant responsibilities.
Throughout her career, Ms. Weakland has been grateful for the guidance she received from working under skilled leaders and managers. She has learned the technical skills required to be an effective manager and administrator by keeping an open mind and remaining devoted to her professional development. As such, in 2023, she was recognized with a Leading Executive in Retail Award. Ms. Weakland was also named Top Director of the Year of Private Brands by The International Association of Top Professionals in 2024. She believes strongly that her work on consumer goods enhances the quality of life for customers around the country and is committed to ensuring that the products she develops meet people’s needs. When Ms. Weakland is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, gardening, and watching movies, especially comedy and horror titles.