From Account Exec to C.E.O.?

I have studied some people's LinkedIn profiles and noticed there was a trend, a trajectory into some place.


It appears to me that some of the people who have built successful startups, had humble beginnings in Account Executive and Account Management.


Does anyone have plans to build their own business? Whether it's a Fortune 500/1,000 or just doing a Solopreneur type gig?


The fact that you have SDR/AE/SE/CSM experience means that you would be in the right path to owning your own business/becoming an entrepreneur. Understanding business models, sales cycle, cold messaging/calling, pitching, overcoming objections, understanding pain points, negotiating with contracts, etc.


What are your thoughts?

👑 Sales Strategy
🤝 Networking
🚀 Career Goals
7
CoorsKing
WR Officer
4
Retired King of the Coors Knights
You can't start a business if you can't sell your solution both to potential customers, and investors. So yes, you either need the founder or a VERY early employee to have both product and sales skills. Two of my close friends left the sales life to found their own company and said pitching investors is the hardest sale they have ever done in their life. 
APalmoze
Good Citizen
0
Business Development
Interesting
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
3
☕️
CEOs are your first, best, and most called upon salesperson in the company. The AE grind teaches the grit you need to get told 'no' 1000 times during a fundraise, knowing that the yes you need could be that next meeting. The best CEOs I have worked for have also sold the solution in the early days, or are still involved in cycles as the company scales.
APalmoze
Good Citizen
1
Business Development
I love it
softwaresails
Politicker
0
Sales Manager
I agree with this 100%!
AnchorPoint
Politicker
1
Business Coach
Professional sales training provides an incredible platform for anything you want to do in life or business.  Sales skills are life skills.  Period.
GDO
Politicker
0
BDM
Sales skills are crucial for startups. Selling to customers, investors and potential “Human Resources”. 

also being inquisitive, mapping out solutions and being ample to see the big picture (market) are very helpful. 
CuriousFox
WR Officer
0
🦊
You gotta start somewhere.
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References from C Suite

Question
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Breaking into C Suite or VP level positions

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Deal Story
Skerp22 closed a deal for $28.4k to the President, C-Suite departments
Originally met with this prospect over a year and a half ago... they were new to the market and there was a lot of haggling and back and forth. Finally, the president said we'd move forward and connect...
Say congrats!
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Ca
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