I applied to all sales positions I could find. I used the internet applying all over the country, to never have any takers. The positions I tried for were from sales to sales management. Now I found out what problem I had and it was a piece of paper called a degree. I had always been a mustang, that was the way I learned and gained knowledge and the love for the companies I sold for. I invested all I could for all companies I sold for from the time I was eight years old and selling flower seeds and greeting cards.
One day I was looking through the newspaper help wanted section and found and ad that was looking for someone with grocery background and in sales. That seemed like it was right for me. I made contact and an interview was set.
I met with two people one was the vice president of the company the other was the sales manager. The interview went good, I swear I felt like I knew both of them. They were going to be back in contact with me after they interviewed other applicants. One week went by and a second interview was set up. I was offered the position. I accepted and was excited, finally back selling and managing. I was to replace the sales manager as he was moving on to another company.
The company was was a family owned business out of Canada. They had been doing business in the United States for around ten years or so. Mostly north eastern united states and was reaching to the south eastern region too. They had several major accounts and the needed to continue to grow by picking up all of the independent grocery stores. They were a major competitor in the carpet rental cleaning systems. They had a great cleaning system and it was an easy sell.
Again I believed in the product and gave it all I could. When you believe in the product you are selling you become passionate it becomes your life, and the selling of the product become easier.
At first I just maintained the accounts that I had. My territory covered three states and part of another and I had responsibility for nine employees in my area. I was on the road a lot overnights were a given when I took this position. I was given a company van and all of my travel expenses were covered. I had first rate tools to work with and the reps that worked the territories in their area were all good people. Most of them however, were not sales people. I had a mix of men and women. They all were responsible for maintaining their route and they all had storage facilities where extra equipment and supplies were kept.
Their territories were large as an example on person covered the whole state of Illinois. That person would have to spend time away from home on overnight stays. This job was not for everyone. They would go to the account and fill the supplies and clean and do minor repairs on the equipment. You could just imagine on how dirty the carpet cleaners would get
