Women Who Sell With Sarah James

‘Women Who Sell’ is all about showcasing women who sell, and are thriving and challenging stereotypes. We feature real perspectives of what it’s like, the barriers and the breakthroughs.

Here, Sarah James, Sales Development Representative at Pareto shares her take.

How did you get into sales and what makes it the career of your choice?

I worked in B2C for 9 years prior to moving into sales. I worked my way up into management and leading a team and coaching them which I really enjoyed but it was at the point of the business relocating and I was actually made redundant.

It was a really pivotal point in my career and I thought, "What is the next step? Where do I wanna go?" I wanna make the right decision as it's gonna be something long-term.

Throughout the years, people who had met me had always said, "Saz, you've got so much energy and you're great at building relationships, have you ever thought about recruitment, have you ever thought about sales?" So at that point, I thought, right, let's do some research and that was sort of where it all came from.

I'd say my biggest why is culture.

I am massively extroverted, which means that I just love being in a culture that I thrive in and having fun. I don't want to be one of those people that stare at the clock all day waiting to go home. I want to wake up in the mornings and enjoy getting out of bed to go to my job - I don't want to be waiting until Friday to just live for the weekend.

When I realised this industry was offering me to go to networking events, get involved in competitions and win incentives for meals or holidays, I was like, "Is this real?" I am very competitive and I think it's super fun.

I like having those KPIs and milestones because it's great to know what your next promotion can be and what you've got to do to do X, Y and Z to get there. It means I can tick things off and achieve different things throughout each week, month, and year.

Pareto was a fantastic platform that gave me the opportunity because some businesses often want experience so it was great that they actually saw my potential and my attitude and I was fortunate enough to get offered a job here.

Just like any job, there's always gonna be tough days but it's about having that passion and something instilled in you in sales that you should go and get it. That determination of "I'm not going to be beaten. I'm going to achieve this. I'm going to get there. I'm going to do whatever it takes to accomplish or hit that target and get on that incentive meal."

That's exactly why it's nice to be in an industry where your hard work is acknowledged and recognised with these rewards.

Are there any barriers you have faced as a woman working in sales, and how have you overcome them?

I am fortunate enough to be in a business where we have a strong female leadership.

I am surrounded by many inspiring, amazing female role models here at Pareto - actually I think we're probably more female ratio heavy to male. I think that speaks volumes in the fact that we really care about diversity and equal opportunities.

In fact, from day dot, my Sales Director Sarah, took me under her wing and she's probably one of the most successful people that I know in the sales world. This is something that I believe comes down to the fact that she cares - she truly cares about her clients and that's something you can't train, that's something within you.

Females really bring that to the role when we're networking and I think with any relationships we build in life, we truly remember how people made us feel.

I'm still only in the early stages of my career so I'm sure I'll have many challenges that I'll be faced with, but I am surrounded by a supportive network and I definitely have all the women before me who have banged down those doors.

I feel like we're a movement. We are an impact for positive change. We are empathetic, we are compassionate, and we are great at building those long-term relationships and adding value to the role. We do what we do fearlessly and with passion.

I feel powerful - obviously humble from where we've come from - but unstoppable.

What advice do you have for a woman wanting to get into sales and those wanting to advance?

I would say, do not let anybody limit your beliefs. You are the main character in your story.

Be brave, speak up, and ask the questions. Lean on your female network and also those male allies and you can do anything that you put your mind to.

I feel like I have to wrap this up with an affirmation because I am the Affirmation Queen: "The greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time you fall."

If you would like to get involved with the blog series and share your story as a woman in the sales industry, we’d LOVE to hear from you. And head over to Women Who Sell’s LinkedIn for more content.