Electrical Engineer Goes Into Direct Sales

I decided to try my hand at direct sales. I had already discovered that I enjoyed working with people more than working with computer design. I was taking a Dale Carnegie course in Poughkeepsie, when one of the instructors introduced me to Dick Shapiro, a sales manager for World Book in the Dutchess county area. Dick became my mentor. He taught me the rudiments of selling door to door. But he also taught me how to recruit other sales people. My first year was tough, to say the least. I not only had trouble selling, I couldn't even get in the door. But, I fell in love with recruiting! I recruited a school teacher and in going out in the field with him, I learned how to sell. That was the beginning of a thirteen year career with World Book. I was given the Charleston, S.C. territory to build up. It placed last in the nation in sales. Within one year, with some intense recruiting effort, it became the #1 territory in the North America. After three more years in Charleston, I was promoted to Branch Manager in Richmond, VA. There I was over 5000 sales reps in a three state area, headquartered in Richmond.

I prospered in Richmond until the company went out of business in 1992, due to the competition from the Internet. My wife and I had just purchased a large home on a lake the year before. Now, we were back to square one! Wendy and I co-founded Health, Wealth and Happiness, Inc. in 1992. Our sole purpose became one of helping other's find a source of secure income and great opportunity. More on that later!