Hey friends, it's Chris Dabbs here, and I'm thrilled to share with you my wild ride through the world of entrepreneurship. Join me as I tell you about my early days selling office supplies in school to "mastering" the art of corporate and telesales. It's a tale packed with valuable takeaways, surprising twists, and a whole lot of heart that I hope will inspire anyone eager to leave their footprint in the bustling business landscape.
My Early Stint in Sales
My journey into sales started quite simply with some office supplies my dad would bring home. As a youngster in London, I found I had a real talent for selling. I'd sell these items at school and even worked at a local shop, sharpening my skills in chatting and connecting with people. Little did I know, these humble beginnings were laying the groundwork for my entrepreneurial drive.
My Motorcycle Delivery Adventure
Zooming into the early '80s, I was steering my own motorcycle delivery business I started with friends after a postal strike grew the industry, with the demand for quick delivery soaring. The hurdles were huge, but so were the wins. We embraced new tech to keep us ahead, and I learned just how crucial it is to adapt to what the market wants.
Learning and Finding Guidance
While running deliveries, I was also grinding through a part time MBA. It was tough, but it showed me how crucial a formal business education can be. I also got incredible guidance from the London Enterprise Agency, which really helped me refine my business approach. Their mentorship taught me the power of solid client relationships and the need to find a business partner who had strengths in areas like admin and tech.
The Challenge of Funding
Getting funds for a business is tough, and my path was filled with rejections from banks. But after hearing "no" from twelve banks, lucky number thirteen gave me a £3000 overdraft. Talk about a lesson in not giving up and playing the numbers game!
A Game-Changing Partnership
At a business expo, I won a free stand, and that's where things really took a turn. With a tight budget, I used my friends' design gear to make some eye-catching marketing stuff, which impressed my girlfriend, a savvy businesswoman. She jumped on board as my partner, and we started a fresh chapter together.
Support from an Unlikely Source
In a cool twist, a competitor in the delivery biz actually offered us help instead of competition. He sent over one of his top people to mentor us, which was incredibly generous and totally transformed our startup.
The Ups and Downs of Telesales
Selling business services came with its own hurdles. I learned that being honest and clear is key to building trust with potential clients. Even without formal sales training, I managed to get clients and grow our team to ten people. But I won't sugarcoat it—telesales can be tough on your emotions, and it's important to find support and share stories with others in the sales world.
Building Trust in Sales
Getting clients to switch suppliers is a big deal. It's all about earning their trust, tapping into what drives them, and offering them value when they need it most. These points are the big players in making sales decisions, and they're vital for anyone who wants to make it big in sales.
Let's Team Up
As we wrap up this chat, I want to invite you all to get involved with the podcast. Drop me your thoughts, join me as a guest, and let's learn from each other. Telesales is all about the numbers, and changing our mindset can make it a whole lot more rewarding.
I can't wait to dive into the nitty-gritty of telesales in upcoming episodes, but for now, a huge thanks for coming along on this journey with me. Let's push forward together, make some cash, boost those sales, and create a community where we all support and lift each other up.
Thanks for tuning in, and let's remember, in the sales world, we're all on the same team.
Keep the conversation alive, and let's turn our shared experiences into our collective triumphs.
