Discover the transformative tale of a woman who overcame her deep-seated aversion to sales, a profession once deemed undesirable in her community. This narrative explores how she shattered her own misconceptions, learned to market her unique skills, and ultimately embraced the power of selling as a means to independence and financial freedom.
Growing up in pre-civil rights Mississippi, Joyce M. Coleman, like many of her peers, was instilled with the belief that certain professions were more respectable than others. Sales was not one of them. In her hometown of Locust Hill, door-to-door salesmen were met with wariness, and the idea of making a living through sales seemed fraught with uncertainty and risk.
In those days, the image of a salesperson was often associated with unreliability and instability. Despite this, there was an unspoken acknowledgment of their financial liquidity—local fishermen and other sellers always seemed to have cash on hand. Yet, for a young black girl in Mississippi, the path to success was envisioned through education and traditional employment, not through the unpredictable world of sales.
Coleman's journey took an unexpected turn when she entered corporate America. There, she learned that selling was an integral part of life. Her first "product" was herself, as she persuaded a world-class airline to hire her as a stewardess in 1968, and later, to accept her into a management position. She continued to climb the corporate ladder, eventually becoming the industry's first black corporate female executive.
Coleman's success in corporate America was built on her ability to sell—not just products, but ideas, capabilities, and most importantly, her own value. She adhered to the principles taught during her childhood: to always put her best foot forward, to be knowledgeable, to give more than she took, and to respect others.
Selling, as Coleman came to realize, is a universal activity. Whether it's ideas, products, or services, everyone must sell something. Even the revered figures of her childhood—teachers and preachers—had to convince their audiences of their value. Excelling in sales means delivering on promises and providing added value that customers are eager to share with others.
The realization that one's destiny and wealth are not entirely within one's control while dependent on a corporation was a pivotal moment for Coleman. The layoffs of hundreds of thousands of people, often through no fault of their own, underscored the importance of self-reliance. Drawing on her expertise and the lessons learned from her corporate experience, Coleman began to develop and market her own creations.
No matter how exceptional a product or service may be, it must be effectively marketed to reach potential customers. Coleman recognized that her expertise would not be discovered through passive means; she had to actively promote it, just as she had done for her corporation.
Coleman's initial reluctance to engage in sales was rooted in childhood misconceptions. Over time, she came to appreciate the act of providing value to others, whether through products, services, or knowledge. Each expression of gratitude from those she helped reinforced the positive impact of her newfound appreciation for sales.
Today, Coleman continues to seek out new opportunities, sharing them with friends and leveraging modern technology to build wealth. Her journey from sales aversion to embracing entrepreneurship serves as an inspiration for anyone hesitant to step into the world of selling.
For more insights into the transformative power of sales and entrepreneurship, explore Joyce M. Coleman's work at Locust Hill Publishing and subscribe to her newsletter, "The Business of Life," for practical tools that enhance living, including self-improvement, wealth-building, family issues, and recipes.
Copyright 2001 Joyce M. Coleman. All rights reserved, except as noted above.
