St. Louis-based C & B Lift Truck Sales sounds like your typical business. They do everything related to forklifts from selling them, to service and even stocking their parts. But one thing is different: this company is run by a woman, Melinda Barbaglia.
With the forklift industry usually being dominated by males, this company is clearly unique.
C & B was started back in 1976 by Charlie Barbaglia, Melinda’s father. Melinda, who holds a graduate degree in marketing from Webster University, never intended to become a part of the company. Upon graduation, she had her eyes set on a position in pharmaceutical sales.
But before she could make the leap, her dad asked her to help out in the family business. Now, Melinda runs the company with help from her sister, Teresa Pippen. The two siblings have run the company single-handedly since their father retired on his 60th birthday back in 2005.
But forklifts and their operation was a long ways from sales. To catch up, Melinda immersed herself in learning everything she could about the equipment and the forklift business. Now, she is so well-educated on the subject that she qualifies as an instructor for OSHA safety courses.
While Melinda takes care of sales and service, Teresa, who holds a communications degree from Maryville University, takes care of the paper side of the business, such as bookkeeping and the day-to-day operations of the office.
