An unexpected twist: Nicki’s journey to a career in sales

Say hello to Nicki, an Enterprise Agency Development Director on our Agency Sales team! Today, Nicki is sharing a look into her journey at Yelp, her advice to someone interested in sales, what motivates her, and more!

How did you know you wanted to pursue a job in sales?

I had no idea that I wanted to work in sales! I was pre-med in college until I decided I’d rather study Shakespeare at Oxford! Then I wound up in media planning. After 15 years, I was persuaded to try Partnership development. Then another tech company actively recruited me to join their new agency development team. I kept saying, “I don’t know… I am not a salesperson.” But I LOVE it and appreciate all of the twists and turns in life.

What is your advice to someone interested in sales?

Find a company that represents what you are truly passionate about. It is much easier to sell something that you genuinely believe in. Identify that place and take any job to get your foot in the door.

What does a typical day look like in your role?

I spend the first 30 minutes of my day reading industry news (blogs and the LinkedIn Sales Navigator. I have alerts set for all of my agencies to stay up to date on anything new I should be aware of prior to diving into my emails. I dedicate time to sending client outreach, meeting with Yelp sales directors to strategize, and prepping for client meetings. The best part of the day is meeting clients and sharing the value of our platform.

How do you stay motivated to hit your goals when you’re having a tough day?

My team is truly invaluable. We chat throughout the day and share ideas, and sometimes we have a good vent session. With the help and support of my team, it isn’t that hard to get out of a funk and get focused. I believe in Yelp and Yelp believes in me.

Tell us something you learned from the Yelp Sales Development Program that made you a better salesperson

The program was a great way to connect with others and hear their unique strategies to “sell” Yelp. I love hearing the stories and examples everyone shares in their presentations. It always inspires me to improve my pitch!

How does Yelp support your work-life balance?

Yelp provides a true sense of community (such as group chats and community emails) while allowing us to be autonomous. I feel empowered to set my own hours and trusted to do my job independently. These things ultimately create an enormous work-life balance. Additionally, the time eliminated by a commute gives me much more focused work times.

How does your manager remind you that your work is valued?

My manager is amazing. He is always available to brainstorm or join a meeting. He offers continuous encouragement, always giving credit where credit is due.

Tell us about a community that you are proud to be a part of at Yelp

I like being a part of YelpParents. I am always inspired by listening to other parents share their challenges and wins.

Want to work with Nicki?

With the help of our comprehensive training program, ongoing support, coaching, and development opportunities, you can take your career to the next level at Yelp, whether you’re a seasoned sales professional or just starting out in the industry. Check out our open opportunities and apply today!