Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in coaching but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with John Barrows, Founder of JB Sales, located in Boston, MA, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

We provide sales training and consulting services to some of the fastest-growing companies in the world like Salesforce, Linkedin, Amazon, Slack, and many others. We also work with individual sales professionals to give them the tools and resources they need to excel. Our "Why" is: "We elevate the people and profession of Sales so that it's accessible for anyone willing to do the work to create the freedom and opportunities they most want in life." We believe that when Sales is done right, it's one of the best professions in the world, but when done wrong, it's one of the worst. We're trying to help people and companies do it right.

Tell us about yourself

My personal "Why" is: "To share my privilege, influence, and earned experience with family, friends, employees, and anyone who genuinely gives a shit so they can achieve a level of freedom and happiness that allows them to live the life they want." I fell into Sales just like everyone else and have been privileged to be exposed to many different types of sales at many different levels. When I had the opportunity to be a sales trainer for a company I had taken training from in the past, I immediately fell in love with sharing content and approaches that worked with people who wanted to learn. I then went off on my own to build a brand and community of authentic sellers to try and change the perception of sales while having some fun and making a difference along the way.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment is based on the people I work with. I've had employees tell me I've ruined them to ever work in the corporate world again because of the flat, flexible structure we have here at JB Sales. They've told me they've never been happier or more fulfilled in their careers. Many of them have paid off their debts, bought houses and cars, and have the freedom to do what they love with their families. Hearing those stories from them is better than any personal accomplishment or reward I could ever get.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

One of the hardest things about being a business owner is knowing that you are responsible for the livelihoods of the people who work for you and making sure they can support their families. COVID put a spotlight on that for me. Since "Family" is our #1 core value as an organization, we went from focusing on revenue targets to ensure that everyone stayed employed through COVID. You have to lead authentically as a business owner, but you also can't let them see you sweat. I'm pretty transparent and open, but ensuring I instill confidence during tough times and not letting everyone know how freaked out I might be is a delicate balancing act.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Pick a niche. Don't try to be everything to everyone.
  2. Do something that you are truly passionate about. Don't just do it because it's a good idea or tries to take advantage of a trend. Starting and running a business is a grind. If you don't love what you do, you will end up completely miserable and burnt out.
  3. Have a ''Sales first'' mentality. Companies don't fail because they don't have the right product-market fit or their product isn't the best. Most companies fail because they can't sell. If you look at Sales as a necessary evil, then you will fail. Success has nothing to do with WHAT you sell; it has everything to do with HOW you sell.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Sales is not about trying to ''convince'' or manipulate people into doing something they don't want to do. At its core, sales is about helping people solve problems or achieve goals. Sales is also the transfer of enthusiasm; if you believe in what you sell, then it's about finding the right people who need what you have and transferring some of that enthusiasm to them.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://jbarrows.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnmbarrows/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/johnmbarrows
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbarrows/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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