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Why did I start Quartz?

Picture me, three years ago: a miserable workaholic lost at a corporate sales job in Canada. My kids had just moved out and I found myself aimless and lonely, and had thrown myself into my career in a very unhealthy way. I was also recovering from some serious side effects from a surgical infection which had almost cost me my life.

I started on a journey of self-discovery. I didn't know where I was headed but one thing I knew for sure was that I didn't want to be where I was — physically, emotionally or career-wise.

If you had checked my track record, there's no question that I've been successful:

• "President's Club" member at sales jobs, never missing a sales incentive trip — six-figure earner from year one.
• Top seller at my bar and restaurant jobs as a server (guest cheque average) through sheer hustle and sales acumen.
• Increased revenue overall as sales leader / shift leader / restaurant manager through process improvement.
• Bought my first home on my own by 30.
• Raised two thriving individuals as a single mom.
• Hobby of buying and fixing up homes for fun and profit.

But as I moved into my forties, I knew that was the time I was "supposed" to start my power-earning years. What I found is the harder I worked, the harder I would hit that glass ceiling. The joy I felt helping people with my products and services was more and more elusive and the gap between being my authentic self and my sales persona was getting larger and larger. The idea of diving even deeper into typical corporate culture was the thing of nightmares for me. I did not feel "successful". I wanted to work. I wanted to affect change. I just couldn't see how that would happen if I kept doing the same old thing, following the same old rules.

I wanted MORE — more freedom, more influence, more positive outcomes, more joy.

It took three more long years to get to where we are today. I moved from one tough job to one that was even tougher, I broke my ankle, then I was diagnosed, treated for, and beat breast cancer. It was a tumultuous few years, but the things that kept me going were my new-found love of a small town in Mexico called Sayulita and the vision for a different kind of life.

I rediscovered my joy of singing, met loads of fascinating and authentic people, and learned how to be fully in the present with my new "family" here in Sayulita.

In December 2019 I had managed to work through the long list of obstacles and moved here to Sayulita for what I hoped would be forever. I planned to sing at night and to work during the day in I.T. sales, but at an easier pace. Covid was an unexpected development. Singing in public was out of the question and I also parted ways with my employer.

I found myself helping my "family" here in Sayulita with the challenges Covid brought their way — in their businesses and in their relationships. I also connected online with some colleagues whom I respect greatly. I discovered that my listening skills, my storytelling skills, my objectiveness, my 15 years in hospitality and 15 years in corporate sales, along with raising two wonderful children as a single mom, meant that I was uniquely qualified to coach. I wanted to share my sales acumen, my nurturing and my experience with others. I realized that there is a better way to engage with humans, in a spirit of mutual aid rather than greed.

How I define success today

• Freedom to be your authentic self.
• Feel joy in what you offer.
• Sleep easily at night.
• Work only as hard as you want to.
• Be profitable.
• Only having to say yes to things that are good for you and your customer.
• Feel value as a human being separate from what you "do".
• Have time to enjoy authentic friends and worthwhile hobbies.

So, why did I start Quartz Sales Consulting?

With the encouragement of some good friends in industry, I realized that not only can I enjoy my definition of success, but that I can help others enjoy it too. I do believe, with every fiber of my being, that sales and marketing for technical professionals can be ethical, elegant, effective and profitable.

The best person to sell their talents is the technician themselves. I have a PEOPLE-FIRST philosophy that drives an honest, kind and transformative experience for the people I work with. By transformative, I mean helping people create companies that are inclusive, kind, ethical, and successful. If we put our hearts and our personalities forward, and lead with authentic kindness, we can create a whole new way of being successful and responsible stewards of our world.

Thanks for reading today. If I've piqued your curiosity and you want to learn more, please drop me a line at anne@quartzsalesconsulting.com.