Anyone else thinking of leaving sales?

Hi All - I've been in tech sales for ~9 years now and think I'm getting to a point where I'm looking to move on from it. Not that I don't love the game, I just feel it's time to try something new. I'm thinking of starting my own business but not really sure what exactly. Open to any ideas.


Is anyone else feeling this way? Or am I isolated in this?

๐ŸŽˆ Mentorship
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23
Beans
Big Shot
31
Enterprise Account Executive
All the time.

But where else am I going to make this much, with this flexibility, with no tangible skills.ย 
FamilyTruckster
Politicker
5
Exec Director, Major Accounts
Now thatโ€™s a can-do attitude. Love it
RealPatrickBateman
Politicker
1
๐Ÿ”ชAmateur Butcher๐Ÿ”ช
@Beansย has a point here lol
CuriousFox
WR Officer
7
๐ŸฆŠ
I think we all have thought about it, especially on hectic days. ๐Ÿ˜†
goose
Politicker
7
Sales Executive
Canโ€™t say Iโ€™m thinking of leaving but the draw of starting a business gets stronger every day.
FormerStartupJobHopper
Tycoon
3
AE
Totally get the urge. Not that I know shit about this, but I would start on the side and only when you have a firm idea. Don't jump ship on a wing and a prayer
UrAssIsSaaS
Arsonist
2
SaaS Eater
I have no interest in leaving sales right now, in fact just took on a new role at a new company, BUT longer term (like 10 years) I would love to start my own business as well. Something in the home services industry.ย 
butwhy
Politicker
1
Solutions Engineer
Same, in 10ish years I would love to go back to the arts or do something very non-tech.ย 
dwightyouignorantsale
Politicker
2
Account Executive
I have thought about it, yes. But the extreme flexibility I am given in this job, with the ability to travel to cool places, while making as much money as I do would be really tough to find in another industry. It all depends on what you want, honestly. If you are burnt out and donโ€™t enjoy it anymore and want to put in the grind elsewhere, then maybe now is your time.
mitts2
Politicker
2
Account Executive
Often but then I tell myself that I'm good at it, make good money, and few things will compare to the feeling of seeing a completed DocuSign in your inbox.ย 
Sunbunny31
Politicker
2
Sr Sales Executive ๐Ÿฐ
Every time I lose a deal.ย  ย 

But then I work on others and realize there is nowhere else I'd make this kind of money with this amount of flexibility.ย ย 

I admire the entrepreneurial spirit of others, however.ย  ย Might be something to consider once you have enough of a financial cushion to take a leap.
CaneWolf
Politicker
2
Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
2
โ˜•๏ธ
Saying you want to start a business, but don't know what business is like going into a tattoo shop and asking the strung-out dude in the corner to pick something from the book for you. Bad plan from the start.

I wrestle with leaving it all behind every year or so. I've been at this going on 12 years, and I feel like I have a skillset that could turn into a consulting gig, but I did security and benefits, so I always swallow my hopes and trudge on.
FromaBlankPerspective
Politicker
1
District Manager
Not looking to move now (love the money, flexibility and usually the job), but everyone once in awhile I ask myself how long I actually want to be chasing a number. Been in the game for over a decade though so I'll stick it out a little longer!
RedLightning
Politicker
1
Mid-Market AE
Eventually, I'd like to get out of the trenches and move into mangement or enablement type roles when I'm older. I don't want a monthly quota when I'm married/have kids
RealPatrickBateman
Politicker
1
๐Ÿ”ชAmateur Butcher๐Ÿ”ช
Yeah sure, I thought about it once. Then I asked all my friends (not in sales) what they are making. Sobered me up REAL QUICK. S.A.D.N.E.S.S. BABY!!!!
happyhunter
Politicker
0
spittin' sunshine
I'm using sales to someday start my own wellness business sooo I feel you 100%. But if that wasn't my long-term plan, I'm not sure wtf else I'd do...
WomenWantMeFishFearMe
Politicker
0
AM
No.
cw95
Politicker
0
Sales Development Lead
oh, dittto.
DungeonsNDemos
Big Shot
0
Rolling 20's all day
I could see myself doing my own thing down the road, but for now it's not worth it to me.ย 
I concur with others that you should start a side project of something you're interested in and see if it's viable to stand on its own legs.
cw95
Politicker
0
Sales Development Lead
Numerous times. Many many numerous times.
EmptyCupOfTea
Valued Contributor
0
Growth Marketing Manager
I've come across so many salespeople who went on to start their own business, so this is completely normal.ย 

One piece of advice I would give you is that sales and running your own business are 2 very different things so please please please do your research before jumping ship.

Some things you will have to think about and start doing are:
- chasing invoices
- take care of all the legal things
- there's no guaranteed paycheck at the end of the month
- doing all the admin work
- being your own boss
- taking complete ownership of the success or failure of your businessย 
- recruitmentย 
- training new employeesย 
- learning to be a leaderย 
- learning to take a step back from sales and let your employees do itย 

There are others but I felt like the list was long enough already!
ChrisSellsHisSoul
Fire Starter
0
Owner
I left the game and started my own business. The sales skills make it way easier.

Less certainty, but setting my own OKR's/quota and closing 100% of everything for myself feels rad.ย 

The hardest part of entrepreneurship is selling yourself. If you've been at it for 9 years you've for sure got the skills to do it.
Juancallclose
Catalyst
0
Director
Would love to but I make a lot of money doing this and not sure what else I can do to replicate.
3

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