Episode Description:

What happens when an engineer who’s great at solving technical problems suddenly gets told they need to sell? For many technical professionals, the shift from “doer” to “seller-doer” is one of the hardest transitions in their career. In this episode, Jessica Nuncio—VP of Business Development and Marketing at Naranjo Civil Constructors with nearly 20 years of experience—breaks down exactly how to make that leap without feeling salesy or inauthentic.

Jessica shares her unconventional journey from receptionist to estimator to leading business development, the MATCH framework she developed to make BD feel natural for technical professionals, and the hard lessons she learned about burnout, boundaries, and what it really takes to win at work and at home.

If you’ve ever felt stuck between technical expertise and business development, this conversation will show you how to bridge that gap.

Listen now and discover how to turn relationship-building into your competitive advantage.

Key Takeaways:

Business development doesn’t mean becoming “salesy”—it’s about shifting from doer to connector and blending your technical credibility with genuine curiosity about helping clients succeed
The MATCH framework (Market research, Attract authentically, Time and trust, Connect and close, Hone and harmony) provides a practical roadmap for technical professionals to approach BD systematically
Burnout warning signs show up in your body, sleep, and emotions long before they show up on your calendar—learning to pause and evaluate priorities is essential for sustainable success
Success isn’t about climbing the ladder; it’s about building bridges that others can cross—investing in mentorship and sponsorship creates lasting impact beyond individual achievement
Your unique differences (including being a woman in construction, a minority, or simply approaching problems differently) can be your greatest strength when you lead with authenticity instead of trying to fit in

Timestamps:

[00:00] Cold open: Why engineers freeze when asked to sell
[00:34] Introduction: The seller-doer challenge for technical professionals
[01:55] Why engineers freeze and what makes them uncomfortable
[05:31] The MATCH framework for business development
[08:08] Jessica’s journey: First-gen college student to VP of Business Development
[11:15] From receptionist to estimating coordinator in three months
[16:28] Discovering the passion for business development
[19:07] Recognizing burnout: 3000% growth and the personal cost
[21:37] Setting boundaries: Learning to pause before saying yes
[25:51] Mentorship, leadership, and empowering women in construction
[29:22] Being a woman in construction: The “mandatory” meeting story
[34:12] Success is about building bridges, not climbing ladders
[36:00] Coach in Your Corner: What is your body telling you?

Guest Information:

Jessica Nuncio
Vice President of Business Development & Marketing
Naranjo Civil Constructors

Connect on LinkedIn: Jessica Nuncio | LinkedIn

About the Host:

Dr. James Bryant is an engineering leadership coach and host of the Engineer Your Success podcast. He works with engineering and technical leaders who want to win at work and win at home.

James helps leaders make intentional decisions about how they lead, work, and live, so success in one domain strengthens the other over time. His approach emphasizes clarity, responsibility, and long-term integrity—acknowledging the effort and trade-offs leadership requires while rejecting the assumption that success must come at the expense of family, health, or presence.

Connect with James on LinkedIn or visit www.eysnow.com