Ask an Expert – Devon Wetter

Interviewer: What is your name?  

Marble: Devon Wetter 

Interviewer: What is your position at Six Red Marbles? 

Marble: Business Development Representative 

Interviewer: What does that position entail? 

Marble: As the BDR at Six Red Marbles, I play a role in driving the growth and expansion of the company. In this position, the primary responsibility is to identify, connect with, and qualify potential leads that align with the company’s goals and objectives. This involves inbound and outbound business development and acting as a liaison to effectively resource manage and convey the value we can provide to a potential customer. BDRs are often the first point of contact for potential customers, and they work to establish relationships that can lead to long-term partnerships. In these early stages of potential collaboration, it is essential to cultivate meaningful discovery to ensure alignment on SRM’s services and the client’s vision and needs. 

Interviewer: What is the best part of your job? 

Marble: The best part of my job is the continuous learning and adaptation as a professional, especially in the world of education. Being a BDR requires continuous learning about the company’s offerings, industry trends, and the competitive landscape, and I could not have better colleagues to support my strategic efforts in this capacity. Staying informed about changes in the market enables me to adapt my strategies and messaging, refine my pitch, overcome objections, and engage partners more effectively. I also really enjoy working with my Marketing team to leverage relevant content and communications to potential customers. I couldn’t do it without them. Lastly, the best part of my job as a former educator is talking to educators—ALL day long!  

Interviewer: What do you wish people knew about your work at Six Red Marbles? 

Marble: Most people would find my job tedious and, in some cases, defeating with outreach to so many audiences and a lot of change month-to-month. Challenges and obstacles are inevitable in business development. As a stubborn optimist, I like to see these as opportunities rather than roadblocks. This perspective encourages my creative problem-solving, enabling me to find new angles and think outside the box to connect with potential customers. At my core, I am a relationship builder who thrives on developing meaningful connections and helping others. Beyond outreach and lead generation, BDRs aim to foster these long-term relationships where building rapport in the early stages can significantly influence a customer’s decision to move forward with SRM. 

Interviewer: What is a trend you see happening in the education space that you’re excited about?  

Marble: The two trends in the space that excite me most are competency-based Education (CBE) and social emotional learning (SEL). Competency-based education is gaining traction as a model that focuses on students’ mastery of specific skills and knowledge rather than time spent in a classroom. This approach is often discussed in my conversations I have with potential customers, and I view CBE as particularly valuable for adult learners and professionals seeking to upskill in a rapidly changing job market. Additionally, I highly appreciate the growing recognition of the importance of SEL in fostering well-rounded, empathetic, and resilient students. Schools and institutions across the nation are increasingly integrating SEL into curricula with the help of SRM, helping students to develop crucial life skills like regulation, empathy, and effective communication.  

These trends are not only exciting but also indicative of a broader shift toward a more student-centered, flexible, and holistic approach to education. As these trends continue to evolve, they hold the potential to make learning more engaging, effective, and accessible for all. 

Interviewer: What is one interesting fact about yourself that you’d like to share? 

Marble: One interesting fact about me is that I was in the final rounds of casting for a trivia game show called The Lucky 13, which just premiered in July on Hulu and ABC. I’m extremely passionate about trivia and consider myself a trivia guru—a grand collector of random knowledge and facts. The prize was a million dollars, and there’s no chance I’m not going for it again! Working to compete on a show like this was a thrill, and it only fueled my love for trivia even more. My love for trivia started when I was a kid watching the Game Show Network with my dad. In all the cities and places that I have lived, I regularly participated in local trivia nights. Now in NYC, I’m always looking for the next trivia challenge!