Popcorn profile picture
Popcorn profile picture

Popcorn

Sales Professional

Contributor
Fire Starter

Should I Accept this Role????

Got offered a job in the fintech industry with growing startup. Original product was geared toward trucking industry. Think Venmo for trucking industry. They want me in their new division selling fuel cards to owner operators (truckers) by cold calls. Base 50k/OTE 100. Been trying to get into software sales and this is my first offer. Account executive title. Let me know your thoughts. Not sold but open to hear from you all.

📞 Cold Calling
☁️ Software Tech
💰 Compensation
23

42 comments

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buckets1
Politicker
8
AE
Hard pass. It might have the AE title but this does not sounds like a true software AE position. You’d be better suited taking a BDR role at a good logo or a startup with a more strategic selling motion and a path to promotion.
Popcorn
Contributor
2
Sales Professional
Agree. Even though I have 5 years selling experience in my industry, like you said it may be better to get experience somewhere else where I actually learn to sell software and move up. 
buckets1
Politicker
0
AE
@Popcorn what do you currently sell?
Popcorn
Contributor
0
Sales Professional
I sell Athletic Equipment and apparel to colleges and high schools. I work for the largest distributor in the country for this industry. But it’s just a tough industry as a whole. That’s why I’m looking into software/tech sales. I’m open to other opportunities/industries
Popcorn
Contributor
0
Sales Professional
@buckets1 
buckets1
Politicker
0
AE
@Popcorn makes sense. You may have the best luck trying to find an AE role in edtech and then you can pivot into another type of tech after that. Most tech companies want you to start at BDR if you don’t have tech experience. However from what I’ve seen best way to skip this level is finding a company/hiring manager that values experience of selling into the same industry.
braintank
Politicker
2
Enterprise Account Executive
No
Popcorn
Contributor
1
Sales Professional
My gut says no too. Can I ask why you say no? 
braintank
Politicker
3
Enterprise Account Executive
Cold calling truckers to sell them fuel cards doesn't sound lucrative or enjoyable.
Popcorn
Contributor
1
Sales Professional
Yea I thought so too. Originally thought I was interviewing for their contactless payment service which they are known for and then during interview they told me they are starting new division. They are trying to sell the “move up in the company” deal and also offered 20k in equity. Their main goal is to go public. Lots of good reviews from the company but obviously selling fuel cards to truckers cold doesn’t sound fun or lucrative like you said. 
braintank
Politicker
4
Enterprise Account Executive
A desire to go public isn't a differentiator. Virtually every start-up has this goal. Very few will make it.

As others said the experience you gain could be difficult to translate to lucrative B2B roles. Cold calling truckers to sell them fuel cards is very different from calling IT directors to sell them 7-figure SaaS deals. 
Popcorn
Contributor
1
Sales Professional
Great insight. I appreciate your response as that’s where my thinking is at as well. No transferable experience is what I’ve been thinking. 
Diablo
Politicker
2
Sr. AE
Hey Popcorn, sounds to be not very difficult job. But it’s not a tech and the amount of hard work you’ll have to put could be way more higher.

As an AE, I like to understand the problems and explain how can I solve them, do a demo, build a POC etc etc. If you think this is a good one for you, take your call
Jewcan_Sam81
Politicker
1
Account Executive
Yeah, gross, don’t do that
Beans
Big Shot
1
Enterprise Account Executive
How is selling fuel cards tech?
Popcorn
Contributor
1
Sales Professional
That's my same question. I guess they are lumping fuel cards in with "fintech"???
ActuallyGurvin
Valued Contributor
1
SDR
Nah bro, you definitely can do better. This role will limit you for sure
Sunbunny31
Politicker
1
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
This doesn’t sound like tech at all. It’s B2C cold sales. No thanks.
TheNegotiator
Arsonist
1
VP of Sales
B2C sales are stupid easy.  It could just as easily be a great opp.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
0
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
Not if he’s trying to break into fintech sales. This is a whole other animal. Your point taken, but it’s just not what OP was interviewing for or interested in.
TheNegotiator
Arsonist
1
VP of Sales
Agreed, but if it’s closer to fintech than what he’s selling now, it’s still as win.
Popcorn
Contributor
1
Sales Professional
It's a lot closer to fintech that what I am doing now. I sell athletic equipment and apparel to small colleges and high schools. 

The issue after doing some research is the card only gets 5 cents off a gallon. After talking to some people in the industry, there are some cards that get up to 80 cents off a gallon. Not sure where the upside in trying to convince a truck driver to get the card. Only advantage I see is that the card can be used at any station. 
TheNegotiator
Arsonist
1
VP of Sales
That’s pretty brutal.  Yeah, don’t sell something without an edge.
TheNegotiator
Arsonist
1
VP of Sales
Yes. Fuck all the negativity, I say yes.

idk how long you’ve been looking, but if it’s >2months, definitely yes, as long as it’s not a huge pay cut or anything.

lots of sales jobs are hard, so what? That doesn’t mean they’re impossible.  If you need a break to get into the industry, carpe diem that shit.

you could just as easily call a major trucking firm on day 1 and close a fat deal. Otherwise you start getting real industry experience to make the jump in 4-8 months.
Popcorn
Contributor
0
Sales Professional
TheNegotiator, where are you the VP of Sales at? I just started looking back in December. Got with a recruiter and he was the one who put me in touch with this company. I understand your POV. Base Pay is the same. Not afraid of hard work. I am confident in my abilities. Just don't know how selling fuel cards is going to help me down the road if I look at other opportunities in the tech sales world? I won't know how to run a demo or anything. I could be wrong but I am open to hear from others. 
TheNegotiator
Arsonist
1
VP of Sales
I sell IoT technology. Post-seed, about to go for Series A. 

Look man, I’m not saying selling fuel cards is going to improve your life.

With the context of the data you’ve provided, if selling fuel cards is closer on the spectrum to Fintech than the job you have now, take it. Work your way through the spectrum toward what you want.  If you have to do some shitwork along the way, thats life.

You’ve described this company as one you’d like to be at, but the specific job they want you to do is not the fit… so get your foot in the door, and upgrade later.   What’s wrong with that?

Sales is sales. Don’t let anyone tell you different.  If you can persuade and sell, you can succeed selling anything. It sounds like these guys even have an interesting value prop. Something special about their offering. Selling that on a resume is not that hard, and ultimately it gets you closer to your dream job.

If there is software/interesting tech behinds these cards, I say it’s the right move.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
1
🦊
I wouldn't personally, but do what's best for you.
Pachacuti
Politicker
0
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
Where are you coming from? Is this a significant boost for you or are you just trying to get your foot in the door and taking a pay cut to do it?
Popcorn
Contributor
0
Sales Professional
I am currently in sales for the largest distributor in the country for athletic equipment and apparel (Nike/Under Armour). Base pay is exactly the same as I have now. The issue with my current job is there are 5 other reps in the area that have been with the company for 10+ plus years and they aren't going anywhere. They have the good accounts already and there are only so many schools in the area I can call on. We already dominate the market. I had done everything I could with what I started with. No more room for growth. Hit my ceiling.  
Pachacuti
Politicker
0
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
I get it.
Selling fuel cards to truckers just doesn't seem that exciting and not sure where the 'software' comes into play here.
I would keep shopping the market.
MCP
Valued Contributor
0
Sales Director
Sweat shop that won’t help u with learning the ropes of sales. Much like telecom, recruiters for real sales jobs will avoid u when they see your resume.
justatopproducer
Politicker
0
VP OF SALES -US
Nope
DungeonsNDemos
Big Shot
0
Rolling 20's all day
Sell something you can be excited about and stand behind. If you keep that as your criteria when looking, you will eventually find the perfect fit. 
Kise
Executive
0
Account Executive
I took an entry level SDR role at a buzz-y SaaS startup. Best decision I’ve ever made.
If you’re competent, you’ll stand out from recent college grads and move up quickly.
The SDRs who currently support me who are straight out of college are ok, but they lack proportionality and perspective.
Popcorn
Contributor
1
Sales Professional
Good insight for sure Kaiser. Definitely competent and have a strong work ethic. Pick up on things quickly. Guess that's what made me successful in my current role. I want to be able to actually get software/tech experience. Not sure I would get that with this role. Where are you an Account Executive now? 
Kise
Executive
0
Account Executive
I’m at Carta now but cut my teeth at DocuSign
payton_pritchard
Executive
0
RSM
Venmo for trucking? Why is it better/different from Venmo?
Popcorn
Contributor
0
Sales Professional
Good question. Really not sure. Guess it does more than just exchange and accept money. 
jefe
Arsonist
0
🍁
Not my cup of tea.
IanJ
Executive
0
Enterprise Business Development
Selling to Owner Operators sounds like tiny deal size. 
Is $50-70k more than enough for you to be above your bills?

Also sounds like they don't have sales history and you're taking a big leap of faith to believe their OTE.
Have you met their other AEs?

JdiggityR
Executive
0
Enterprise Account Executive
Thats not Software. That sounds like Prepaid gift cards. DECLINE!
bandabanda
Tycoon
0
Senior AE Mid Market
Based on all the comments, I’d say no too. Get trained by Aspireship or Vendition, and they can help you find a great company in tech. Free training + recruiter help.

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