Women Who Sell With Mia Collins
‘Women Who Sell’ is all about showcasing women who sell, and are thriving and challenging stereotypes. We feature real perspectives of what it’s like, the barriers and the breakthroughs.
Here, Mia Collins, Principal Business Development Manager at Stripe OLT shares her take.
What is your job title?
Principal Business Development Manager .
How did you get into sales and what makes it the career of your choice?
I never actually planned on working in sales. I was invited to an assessment day the day before my final exam at University and was one of the very few who were offered a place. From there, I quickly fell in love with everything sales was about—pitching, strategising, and building relationships.
After a few years, I found my niche in Cyber Security sales, where complex and impactful selling aligned with my skills. What makes sales my career of choice is that it’s never boring. Every day is an opportunity to learn and make a real difference—whether it’s helping a client overcome a challenge or making an organisation-wide change.
Are there any barriers you have faced as a woman working in sales, and how have you overcome them?
Honestly, I haven’t faced significant challenges as a woman in sales—in fact, I see it as a superpower. Unfortunately, women are sometimes underestimated in male-dominated industries like Cyber Security, but I’ve learned to lean into my expertise and let my results speak for themselves. Building confidence and being prepared to demonstrate the value I bring has been key in my success.
What do you like the most about being a woman in sales?
My absolute favourite part of sales is relationship-building. There’s something so rewarding about turning what starts as a conversation with a complete stranger into a genuine, trusted partnership.
And of course, the buzz of closing a deal. That moment when all your hard work, persistence, and strategy come together, and you seal the deal—it’s a rush like no other. It’s proof that the process works, and it’s incredibly satisfying knowing that both sides walk away with value.
What advice do you have for a woman wanting to get into sales and those wanting to advance?
Sales can be challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding when you see the impact you’re making. Be curious, ask questions, and learn as much as you can about your industry—you don’t have to have all the answers upfront, just know where you can find them when you need to
For those wanting to advance, seek mentorship and learn from someone whose career aligns with your goals – having a mentor has been fundamental in me understanding how to take myself to the next professional level. Most importantly, stay authentic—people are drawn to genuine connections, and that’s where long term sales success comes from.
If you would like to get involved with the blog series and share your story as a woman in the sales industry, we’d LOVE to hear from you. And head over to Women Who Sell’s LinkedIn for more content.
