IHLA Convention BIG Turnout – Sold My First Truckload of Hardwood-BIG Deal

The anticipation of my first week on the phones at Cole while the guys were away shaking hands, sipping top-shelf whiskey, and talking hardwood gave me an adrenaline rush. My own little adrenaline rush of course. I had been working in the yard learning inspection, species, and general operations of Cole Hardwood for three months. I cut out a gazillion boards, ingested large amounts of sawdust, I even acquired my first pair of Carhartt overalls. And now it was time. Dave referred to it as ‘immersion.’ Here is how it went down…I’m at my desk…in the middle of everyone else’s desks of course, I mean I am the rookie….I have to catch flack from somewhere and where better to do that from than the center of the office, right? The phone rings…my stomach flips…it’s for Dave. He’s not here because he is at IHLA, do they want to talk to Jen? Our new sales girl? NO. “Ok, no problem, I’ll forward you to his voicemail” Tori says to the caller. This happened a couple times, calls came in for Tom and Randy too and every time my stomach flipped! Man, if I could just get that one person that will talk to me I could get over the flipping!  My desk phone rings! Someone actually agreed to speak to Jen…MUST be a new customer. “Good Morning this is Jen…” We talk, I explain, he reminisces about his first sales call, we have a great repertoire. I check inventory, we have what he wants and he wants a TRUCKLOAD?! This couldn’t be happening, my first call? I quote net price, I fill out my first sales order and then I tear it off and wad it up…I fill out the second, yes that one looks good. Rocky was very nice and eased me into the hardwood sales world with a BANG….I am grateful. Pats on the back and ‘atta boy’s came rolling in and on a Monday too. A few days later Mike suggested I take a picture of my first truckload of hardwood sold while the driver was tarping it. Well I don’t mind if I do! It was quite the accomplishment, my excitement had to be somewhat under wraps…no more squealing like a little girl at the office, I mean I am in the hardwood business now! Call me for your next quote;)