By: Becky Thames
Growing up poor has given me a deep understanding of what hard work is, as well as how it can truly pay off. I grew up in the small town of North, South Carolina, one of three children of a single mother. Despite my difficult childhood, I excelled in school. I graduated North High School with two senior superlatives: “Most Intelligent” and “Most Likely to Succeed.” I made it my goal to live up to those expectations. From a young age, I knew my future would be paved with figures and formulas. I went on to attend Francis Marion University on a full scholarship, which I lost when I transferred to the University of South Carolina (USC). I returned to Francis Marion University, graduated with a degree in Biology and a minor in Chemistry, and went on to receive a Masters in Earth and Environmental Resource Management from USC and a Master of Business Administration from the Citadel in Charleston, SC. I was excited and proud, but fearful of the future because with my degrees, I also earned a ridiculous amount of crippling student loan debt.
I have always been goal-oriented, determined, inspired, and motivated. I love people, and I love watching them succeed. When I came across e-commerce in January of 2014, I never imagined it would not only change my life, but the lives of hundreds of other individuals struggling to stay afloat. Yes, I am a family woman. I have a loving husband of sixteen years, and two beautiful sons, Cameron, 14, and Carson, 12. Yes, I work a full-time job in the water/wastewater industry. And yes, I named myself the “Amazon Queen,” and I love inspiring and educating other women how to excel with e-commerce.
Becky Thames is Laboratory Director for Charleston Water System. Becky has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Francis Marion University, a Master of Earth and Environmental Resources Management from the University of South Carolina, and a Master of Business Administration from The Citadel, and over 22 years of experience in a water and wastewater lab. She is also the founder of Ecom Rockstars, President of Trident Tek Talkers Toastmasters Club, founding Officer of CWS Top of the Line Toastmasters Club, South Carolina Governor’s Quality Award Examiner, South Carolina American Water Works Association Philanthropy Committee Chair and a member of the Water Environment Association of South Carolina (WEASC) Laboratory Committee.