Biz Goforth Pursues Productive Partnerships

When Biz Goforth started in sales in 2019, her first goal was to form intentional interpersonal relationships. That ability to cultivate connections among colleagues and customers continues to be an asset to her sales strategy and execution, and it helped earn her the 2026 Sanitary Maintenance Sales Leader Award. A self-described helper, Goforth believes in assisting others with any problem they bring to her attention.

“She is someone whose behavior elevates the brand, strengthens partnerships, and sets a standard for others to follow,” says Ryan Butler, Sales Manager at CLR Pro. “End users remember her because she makes the process enjoyable while never compromising professionalism.”

Goforth, a Manufacturing Account Manager for Grainger, knows that to develop partnerships with personnel in the commercial cleaning industry, you need to be consistent. As a mentor to new sellers on her team, she often advises them to start by showing up.

“Consistency, dependability, and responsiveness matter,” she asserts. “Taking small moments to connect with people can lead to big wins.”

This dogged determination is how she landed a challenging client. Although this customer was known for his lack of interest in sales representatives, she approached him as another person she could support.

“Even when he told her no, even when he chose someone else, she kept showing up with professionalism, service, and visible effort,” Butler describes. “Over time, he went from not being interested, to asking for her by name. He eventually called her his ‘go-to’ and publicly recognized her work online.”

That is who Goforth is: a sales representative who exceeds expectations by doing what she believes is right. She is guided by her genuine interest in others—a mindset that enables her to think outside the box when identifying solutions.

“The core principles I lead with are starting with the customer to understand their roles, processes, and challenges. This helps find ways to provide real solutions that assist them in their day-to-day operations,” Goforth says.

According to Butler, Goforth has the talent to take a problem and formulate a multi-level solution. For instance, when faced with a hard water and maintenance challenge, Goforth designed and tested a strategy to tackle it.

“She took the initiative to test the solution herself, document the outcomes, and translate those results into a simple, repeatable process her peers could rely on,” Butler notes. “Her approach quickly became the reference point others used when trying to elevate their own customer interactions."

The trust placed in Goforth is a direct result of her steadfast reliability in matters big and small. She is the team member others look to for career guidance, and customers seek out for problem-based solutions.

“Her leadership is not loud. It is steady, thoughtful, and driven by results. She brings clarity to complex situations, raises the performance or people around her, and models exactly what it looks like to lead from the front,” Butler says.

Goforth inspires momentum, an essential element in an industry that is ever evolving. Rather than relying on old customs, she engages in thoughtful discourse to offer solutions that address present problems and prevent future concerns.

“What drives tangible wins is a value rooted in curiosity—creating space for meaningful dialogue, deeper understanding, and solutions that truly align with client needs,” Goforth posits.

This sentiment is echoed by Butler, who describes Goforth as a “solvesperson” instead of a “salesperson.” He lauds the lengths she goes for her customers; these behaviors contribute to her success as a sales leader.

“She is willing to climb a ladder to the roof to test a cooling tower, walk to a mechanical room to prove performance on a chiller, or pour a descaler on a cracked sink or fountain so the customer can watch the results in real time,” he voices. “She turns the everyday pressure of selling into a moment of discovery.”

Taylor Vraney is an Assistant Editor for CleanLink.com, Facility Cleaning Decisions, Contracting Profits, and Sanitary Maintenance. 

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