We are talking with Jennifer Abernethy of The Sales Lounge. I encourage you to visit her website and see what she offers!
1. Can you tell us what business you are in?
Yes, I’m in the business of helping people attract and retain clients to grow their business. In other words, I’m a Sales Expert! I have over 23 years Award Winning Sales Experience and now help others see that sales is fun, rewarding and yes, takes work, but if done authentically, anyone can make their business successful! I also help companies and individuals grow their brand via social media.
2. How long have you been doing your business?
I left Corporate America after 19 years as a National Account Executive in December 2006 and haven’t looked back! I started my business in a spare home office that is now the official sales lounge headquarters and work with clients all over the globe!
3. How many hours a week do you usually work?
Hmmm…that’s an interesting question, because you know…for the first time…my “work” doesn’t feel like work so I haven’t actually “calculated the hours” but I will say…I am working more than I did when in the corporate world. Because I’m going to early morning and late night networking functions. In addition, I am not only the Sales Executive, but I’m wearing many other hats, some of which are new to me…like Accounting (and if anyone knows…if you are a seasoned sales person, chances are you don’t like accounting.) But I do it because I want The Sales Lounge business to be ultra successful and to help people all over the world.
4. Tell us what an average work day is like for you.
If I’m not delivering a Sales Lounge class/workshop on Social Media or Sales Strategy, I am attending a networking event or speaking at a luncheon or breakfast, or working via phone with one of my global clients as their Sales Stylist and Business Strategist. (Jennifer is America’s first Sales Stylist, which helps people define, then refine their selling style so clients can become the best they can be and put their unique handprint on the lives of their customers.
5. How long did it take your business to become profitable?
I invested a lot of money initially to get The Sales Lounge.com up and running, but have been lucky as last year, 2008, we became very profitable. We have very little debt and put most of the earnings back into the business to get us to the next levels.
6. What is the best piece of advice or tip you could give someone who wants to get started in a home based business?
Don’t think of yourself as having to sell…think of yourself as having to market your business and services. You can’t be shy about telling people about what you offer and how you can help them. Always think of who can benefit from your services/or products and then get yourself in front of that audience. Be interested in others versus worrying about being interesting. Also, look at your energy…are you enthusiastic about what you do? If you are not, how can others buy from you? Be proud of what you offer to people and share it with the world.
7. Anything additional you would like to share?
Look at how you spend your time…at the end of 2007, I wasn’t where I wanted to be in terms of dollars earned. I took a long hard look at where I was spending my time and resources and found I was having too much fun at too many of the same luncheons and fluff meetings. Once I looked at that, I began spending my time at more relevant events, and it became more about business versus social and my business grew tremendously and yet, I still had fun! Then I looked at ways I could make my Sales Lounge programs fun, relevant and super results oriented…once I implemented that plan…my business grew tremendously.
Jennifer Abernethy is President of The Sales Lounge.com. She Serves as a Global Social Media Strategist and America’s Premier Award-Winning Sales Stylist. She has sold Tens of Millions in Products and Services over her career and now helps entrepreneurs and global sales teams grow their business and brand through authentic and results oriented strategies. She can be reached at jea@thesaleslounge.com or 571-223-3887. For her FREE sales tips and strategies get her ultra hip ezine at www.thesaleslounge.com Her Blog Sales Bartending launches in January 2009!
Thanks for sharing with us, Jennifer!
