Lessons in Selling: Personal Experiences in High School and Beyond
When I was in school, it wasn't always about traditional teaching and learning. Sometimes, selling became a part of the curriculum, and these experiences taught me valuable lessons in entrepreneurship and interpersonal skills. Let's dive into the stories of selling in high school, college, and even quirky holiday traditions.
Selling Services as an Artist in High School
It's worth noting that selling didn't come naturally to me. In my younger days, I had nothing to sell due to my family's financial situation. Growing up broke meant I couldn't even afford to pay attention, much less sell anything. But as I grew older, opportunities began to present themselves.
During my time in middle school (MS) and high school (HS), I began selling my artistic services to fellow students. I would interview these students as if they were my clients, ensuring that the art perfectly matched their needs and visions. My role as a coach helped them present the final project as their own work. It was a win-win situation: the students received the art they needed, and I gained valuable experience in client consultation and artwork management.
Full-Time Sales in College
Jumping ahead to college, my journey took a significant turn. I found myself working full-time while attending school. This experience proved to be a unique blend of personal and professional development. I worked in a trophy shop, designing and fabricating trophies for many schools and colleges in South Carolina, including the University of South Carolina. Beyond trophy design, I also joined the sales team, specifically focusing on sports trophies and plaques. The work involved developing strong sales strategies, customer relationships, and a keen understanding of the needs of schools and sports teams.
High School Band Fruitcake Adventure
One of the most memorable sales experiences from my high school days was selling fruitcakes. These fruitcakes, coming from a company in Texas, were known for their unique packaging. Each fruitcake came in a metal tin adorned with a map of Texas, along with pictures of famous landmarks such as the Alamo, Sam Houston, and Santa Ana. The fruitcakes themselves were exceptional, and they sold like hotcakes despite their high price.
Despite the challenges, the fruitcakes were surprisingly easy to sell. The profits from these sales were impressive and allowed our school band to acquire a grand piano, choir robes, and even replacement bassoon parts. These parts were incredibly valuable, especially given the Cold War context. It was puzzling how our school managed to obtain these parts from Czechoslovakia, a communist country, during that time. The tales of how we managed to procure these items continue to intrigue me to this day.
In conclusion, through these experiences, I learned valuable lessons about perseverance, creativity, and the importance of understanding customer needs. These memories will always hold a special place in my heart, reminding me of the entrepreneurial spirit that can thrive in the most unexpected settings.