In this episode, Taylor and Mike discuss the challenges of transitioning from the excitement of starting a new venture to the discipline required for execution. We reflect on the uncertainty of entrepreneurship and the temptation to return to a more stable income in tech sales, highlighting the emotional rollercoaster of pursuing a business.takeaways

• It's easy to get excited about starting something new.
• Transitioning to execution requires discipline and hard work.
• The fun part of starting can quickly turn into a challenge.
• Grappling with the decision to stay on an entrepreneurial path is common.
• Uncertainty is a significant aspect of starting a business.
• The temptation to return to a stable job can be strong.
• Riding the wave of entrepreneurship involves ups and downs.
• Paying oneself is a milestone in the entrepreneurial journey.
• Forecasting can bring both hope and anxiety.
• The emotional reality of entrepreneurship is complex.

This is a Founder Series episode where we give a status update on how we're using our tech sales skills to be a non-tech business. We cover the last few months and discuss a couple other topics including the implications of AI on the job market, particularly in tech sales.

In this episode, Brian Mullin, former Global Sales Development Leader, reflects on his life as he turns 40, grappling with feelings of isolation and dissatisfaction in the tech sales world. Call it a midlife crisis or a calculated change in direction, but Brian decides to buy a flooring franchise. Drawing inspiration from his great grandfather's joyful demeanor, Brian is chasing down fulfillment through running a local business and controlling his own destiny and time.

In this episode, Heather discusses her journey in tech sales, emphasizing the importance of personal growth and self-belief. She went down a few routes of entrepreneurship including short term rentals and buying a home service franchise, but it finally clicked when she fully bet on herself. Heather highlights the entrepreneurial nature of tech sales, where individuals are responsible for their own revenue and strategies, and how this aligns with her personal development journey.

She shares the exact steps she took to get where she is now.

Takeaways from today's episode:

• The journey in tech sales can uncover personal growth..

• Betting on yourself is crucial for personal development.
• Imposter syndrome can hinder self-belief and growth.
• Tech sales provides essential tools for success.
• An entrepreneurial mindset is vital in tech sales roles.
• Responsibility for revenue fosters a sense of ownership.
• Alignment between personal and professional goals is key.
• Continuous development is necessary for overcoming challenges.
• Self-belief is foundational for achieving success.

Heather's website below:

https://www.heatherfoidart.com/

In this episode, we dive into Chris Edwards' bold leap from the corporate consulting world to entrepreneurship through acquisition. Chris was climbing the corporate ladder, but as he looked ahead, he didn’t see the person he wanted to become. The cushy paycheck wasn’t enough—he wanted something more.

Instead of staying on the path he no longer believed in, Chris took a leap. Within just three months of starting his search, he acquired a business, packed up, and moved to Steamboat Springs, Colorado. He navigated the highs and lows of running a company as the sole owner using SBA debt. But over time, he improved every key metric, growing and optimizing the business.

Three years later, Chris exited, successfully selling the company and proving that the risk was worth it.

🔹 Climbing the corporate ladder doesn’t guarantee fulfillment.
🔹 If you don’t see a future you want, it’s time to create your own.
🔹 Buying a business can be a faster path to entrepreneurship than starting from scratch.
🔹 The ups and downs of ownership teach lessons no job ever could.
🔹 Taking the leap can lead to both financial success and personal freedom.

Chris’ story is proof that you don’t have to spend your life in a career that doesn’t inspire you. If you’ve ever wondered whether you could own a business instead of working for one, this episode is for you.

So many in tech sales land know there's a shelf-life on their career path -- but what do you do after? We're documenting our journey along the way.

In this episode of Life After Tech Sales -- Founder Series, Taylor and Mike share their monthly status updates as they transition from tech sales to entrepreneurship.

• We discuss our personal highlights, sales successes, and the challenges they face in building their businesses.

• The conversation emphasizes the importance of setting clear goals, networking, and learning from experiences.

• We also explore strategies for scaling their businesses and the lessons learned along the way, ultimately encouraging listeners to take action and pursue their entrepreneurial dreams.

Also, if there are any social media people out there that want to take us on as a client in exchange for some shoutouts/sponsorships, we'd love any help we can get!

In this episode, we dive into Tim Perreira’s incredible journey from climbing the ranks in tech sales to finding his true purpose outside of corporate America. Tim started his career in sports sales before transitioning into tech, where he quickly became a top performer—earning President’s Club and even becoming the #1 seller globally. But behind the success, he was silently struggling with depression and burnout.

After hitting 83% of his quota, he was placed on a performance plan and eventually laid off. Instead of returning to tech, Tim took a different path—starting a clothing company from the ground up, sourcing high-quality suppliers internationally and building an amazing product. As he documented his journey on LinkedIn, something unexpected happened: his candid posts about mental health resonated deeply, sparking conversations with countless high-performing men facing similar struggles.

🔹 Crushing quotas doesn’t always lead to fulfillment.
🔹 Being laid off can be the push you need to build something of your own.
🔹 Sharing your struggles can create unexpected opportunities.
🔹 Community and purpose matter more than titles and commissions.
🔹 True success is about finding fulfillment, not just financial wins.

Now, Tim is a coach and community leader helping high-achieving men realign their careers and lives. This year, he’s taking on his biggest challenge yet—walking across America to raise awareness for men’s mental health. If you’ve ever felt stuck chasing success that doesn’t feel like success, Tim’s story is a must-listen.

Employee to Entrepreneur Series with Dylan

In this episode, we continue exploring the journey from tech sales to entrepreneurship. Dylan, a former SaaS account executive, shares his story of navigating the ups and downs of tech sales, learning the ins and outs of the industry, and ultimately deciding to break free and start his own business.

Feeling stagnant in his career, Dylan took a bold step—he and his brother built a company in a niche that most people overlook: helping new airport employees get their security badges and clearances. With no competitors serving this space, they saw an opportunity and went all in.

🔹 SaaS sales teaches valuable business skills—but is it enough?
🔹 When you feel like you’ve plateaued, it might be time for something new.
🔹 Finding an underserved niche can be the key to business success.
🔹 Good years from tech sales can allow you to bootstrap your own company.
🔹 Reigniting passion and energy by building something of your own.

If you're questioning what’s next after tech sales, Dylan’s story is proof that betting on yourself can pay off. Tune in to hear how he made the leap!

Employee to Entrepreneur Series with Ilan

In this episode, we dive into the changing landscape of tech sales and what it really means for our careers. Ilan Kopecky shares his journey from job loss to entrepreneurship, navigating financial uncertainty, and finding purpose beyond corporate life. We explore the shift from loyalty to transactional relationships in tech, the challenges of starting a business, and the mindset needed to build something of our own.

• Tech sales loyalty is fading, and turnover is at an all-time high.
• Job loss can be the push we need for self-reflection and reinvention.
• Entrepreneurship gives us financial freedom and fulfillment.
• Finding the right niche can open doors we never expected.
• B2B franchises can be a great avenue for B2B sellers
• The best way to grow is to take risks and put ourselves out there.

If you’ve ever wondered what’s next after tech sales, this episode is for you. It’s time to take control and see what else is out there.

In this episode we hear from Mike and his journey to Italy to source top notch suppliers -- but wouldn't you know it -- in a cafe, Mike introduces himself and finds his relatives -- insane story! Taylor recaps a pitch from the tech sales days that prepared him for a pitch here in January. Don't miss our survey on lifeaftertechsales.co!

This is a Founder Series episode where Mike and Taylor review their progress, wins, losses from the previous month and look forward to the current month. We covered planning a trip to Italy, being forced to finally hire due to tearing a knee, and what we want to see out of ourselves over the next six months. Just another day of demystifying entrepreneurship.... maybe...

After 12 years of gaining skills and scars in tech sales, Taylor called it a day. After meeting a salty termite operator named Dan, Taylor realized he could use his experience from tech sales to build a non-tech business -- a sustainable wood preservation business. With 2 young sons and motivation to control his own destiny for the long term, he started Best Structure Preservations.

After 25+ years in 'Corporate America' -- Mike quit. After years of burnout, he took a trip to Italy to get his mind right, but landed on his passion. With a family to support, but more importantly to lead, Mike started Importing Italy and is bringing in high-quality, hard-to-get ingredients into the US. Using skills and scars from his former tech life, he is taking this new chapter head on - this is the first episode of his journey.