Author: Karen Bazela, VP of Sales, Shoals Technologies Group
As the VP of Sales at Shoals, I’ve had a front-row seat to our company’s remarkable journey. Shoals has not only been a pioneer in the Electric Balance of System (EBOS) industry but has also set the standard for quality, safety, and customer focus in solar power. My commitment to advancing women in manufacturing is personal as well as professional. I joined Women in Manufacturing (WiM) in 2017 as chair of our women’s network employee resource group, inspired by WiM’s mission to support women across the industry. As I became more involved, joining the executive networking group provided invaluable peer support, and serving on the board allowed me to help grow the membership and enhance resources. Often the only woman in various teams or meetings, I found camaraderie and encouragement through WiM, which has strengthened my journey and given me a deep sense of belonging and empowerment.
Attending the Women in Manufacturing Summit in Boston recently offered me fresh insights on navigating change, thanks to a powerful talk by Sam Rapoport, the NFL’s Senior Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Although Sam’s efforts were focused on bringing more women into the NFL, her takeaways offer valuable guidance for driving change across any organization, not just in sport.
Here’s how Sam’s lessons align with the innovative spirit, commitment to quality, and customer-centric approach that define Shoals:
1. Shoot your shot
Sam’s first lesson —“shoot your shot”—is about taking bold risks to achieve significant change. This aligns perfectly with Shoals’ own ethos. From the outset, Shoals has been bold, essentially creating the EBOS industry by innovating beyond what the market demanded. Whether it’s introducing new electrical and wiring solutions that streamline solar installation or integrating the automotive industry’s rigorous safety and quality standards into solar power, we have never hesitated to “shoot our shot.” This boldness has allowed us to set the bar high, creating simpler, safer, and more efficient systems that last the lifetime of the project.
For example, our patented flagship trunk bus solution, the Big Lead Assembly (BLA), has transformed the solar power industry with its streamlined design. The BLA minimizes the need for materials and labor, resulting in time and overall project cost savings. It also provides a lifespan of over 35 years, matching the growing longevity of solar installations. We took another bold step by introducing our battery energy storage (BESS) solutions. Recognizing that the success of electrification relies on integrating energy storage with solar projects, we anticipated that our customers would need BESS alongside the EBOS solutions we’ve been delivering. For our global customers in countries like Spain, France, and Australia, we have focused on developing solutions tailored to their specific needs, land conditions, and regulations, rather than trying to adapt our US-based solutions to fit all markets.
2. Start with the people who care
Sam’s advice to “start with the people who care” perfectly aligns with how Shoals has built our products and processes. Our growth has been fueled by those who are passionate about innovation, doing things differently, and consistently exceeding industry standards. Starting as a small shop making automotive components in Alabama, Shoals has evolved into a leader in the EBOS space and a major player in the solar power industry. This transformation is the result of the intuition, boldness, and dedication of the pioneers who laid our foundation.
Today, that same spirit thrives within the Shoals family. Take Mickey King, our Senior Integration Engineer. His team collaborates closely with customers — developers and EPCs — from the early stages of project design, helping them optimize layouts to use less wiring and labor, streamlining installations. We also have a dedicated long-term customer care team lead by Nick Valcho that supports our customers even after installation, ensuring they’re well taken care of. Mickey’s philosophy is simple: always exceed standards—go beyond what’s required by regulation.
As we roll out new solutions and enhance existing ones—supported by an ambitious product roadmap—it all begins with Shoals’ engineers and our leadership team, who are dedicated to going above and beyond expectations.
3. Criticism is a compliment
Sam’s perspective that “criticism is a compliment” is an approach we’ve embraced at Shoals. Our dedication to disrupting the industry and taking a different approach often attracts extra attention. But whether it’s refining our EBOS solutions, improving our internal processes, or introducing new ways to cater to customers’ needs, we welcome any feedback from project owners, developers, EPCs, independent engineers and other customers. In fact, we solicit feedback from our customers and partners, because we are committed to continuous improvement and resilience even in challenging circumstances. We know that it often leads to product and process enhancements that further distinguish Shoals in the marketplace. This is exactly how our 2kV EBOS and wiring solutions were developed. It began with an EPC and a project owner utility requesting us, along with a tracker and a solar module manufacturer, to collaborate on a higher voltage solution for their solar project. It’s this willingness to listen, learn, adapt, and collaborate that keeps us at the forefront of the solar industry.
4. Hire the best person
One of Sam’s most impactful suggestions was to “hire the right person.” At Shoals Technologies, we take this a step further by focusing on building a sales organization that thrives on collaboration and synergy. Our innovative sales pod structure is designed to bring together dynamic, hard-working individuals who not only excel in their roles but also enhance the overall customer experience.
We understand that the best teams are made up of individuals who complement each other’s strengths and share a common goal of delivering exceptional service. By prioritizing the recruitment of passionate and skilled professionals, we create an environment where creativity flourishes, and the customer journey is seamless. This collaborative approach ensures that we are not just meeting our clients’ needs but exceeding their expectations—building lasting relationships based on trust and excellence.
In essence, hiring the best people isn’t just about filling positions; it’s about curating a team that embodies our values and provides the highest level of service in the industry. At Shoals, we are committed to this vision, ensuring that our sales organization remains at the forefront of innovation and customer satisfaction.
Author: Karen Bazela
Moving Forward: Shoals’ Commitment to Excellence and Innovation
Sam’s insights at the Women in Manufacturing Summit reaffirmed the strategies that have been key to Shoals’ success. As we continue to grow, we are dedicated to maintaining the traits that set us apart: innovation, quality, safety, longevity, and customer focus. This way our journey will remain more than growing a business; it will be about transforming an industry.
Discover how to optimize your solar or energy storage project by leveraging Shoals’ industry-leading renewable energy expertise and cutting-edge EBOS solutions.
