I’m not looking for a get rich quick guide. I’m willing to put in the work. I worked at a novelty shop for two years where I really fell in love with the act of selling. My boss would let us play with the prices so customers would feel like they’re getting a deal. I’ve sold products ranging from $3 to $1,000 all novelty. Even had the chance to travel and sell at county fairs. Did that for two years. Then worked at a mall kiosk selling crystals. Didn’t know anything about them but talking to customers and asking them questions made it fun for me to learn and now I’m knowledgeable in that. The pay was $2.50 below minimum wage and I negotiated but my boss said he could only give me a $1 raise. I told him that didn’t make sense and quit. I work in fast food and it’s been nice learning the business but my passion is sales. I see it when I work register and talk to customers. I don’t know what would be suited for me. My mom tells me to continue my phlebotomy program. (I graduated in medical assisting during Covid and hated it so I took a phlebotomy course and never got certified so I thought to retake the course for the cert) I know it won’t be fulfilling for me. I feel kind of lost. I’m 22F no real education on business but I was lucky to work hand in hand with the owners. My funds for starting a business are so small. But the ambition is there. Any advice or your personal stories would be greatly appreciated.
A good place to start could be working at a digital startup that has good lead flow with a good sales pipeline. Just MAKE SURE that they’re not selling snake oil, or a product or service that doesn’t really work.
This will allow you to experience sales in a way you likely couldn’t if you were to go with a more traditional model that has already scaled and has a set system and process where each department is left to their own specific tasks.
For example, if you could find a Ai tech startup that is starting to grow, you could involve yourself as a sales rep while making good commission but also learning and observing their marketing and service.
If done right, you will come out the other end ready to do whatever you would like to do, because you’ll have at least a good enough understanding of marketing, sales, and service to start your own thing.
That’s why sales reps need to make so much money, it’s hard to keep good sales reps from not starting their own thing.