Say hello to Buz, an Emerging Enterprise Account Director on our Enterprise Sales team. Buz began his #FiveStarCareer in February 2022, after previously being a business owner and United States Marine Corp veteran. Take a look as he shares what drew him to sales, why he loves working at Yelp, and more.
How did you know you wanted to work in sales?
Meeting people, forming relationships, problem-solving, and enjoying positive outcomes are the basics of a job description for a role in professional sales. I may not have known I wanted to be in sales at a young age, however, these were the things that brought me joy. It was something I naturally gravitated to after college when thinking about my career.
What is your advice to someone interested in sales?
Sales is a human transaction with a timeless foundation. My advice is to listen more than you speak, be yourself, and be unboring. Always remember that even professional athletes need coaches, so it’s important to be open to learning every day.
Tell us about your journey at Yelp
I am a United States Marine Corps veteran. I have lived the life of a musician, and I also worked as a digital strategist in the marketing space. I started a business in 2006 where I learned how to develop and execute digital marketing goals, social media, paid search, and SEO strategies. After I sold my company, I started to focus on helping other businesses succeed through the things I learned.
Yelp transitioning to a remote-first work model presented to me an opportunity I would have otherwise not received. Since Yelp was a remote company, I no longer had to live near an office to pursue a #FiveStarCareer. Because of this, I was finally able to apply and work for Yelp! I wake up every day so grateful to be associated with a company that delivers for local communities, our users, and client partners. Yelp is also extremely aligned with my own values. Yelp is the total package!
What does a typical day look like in your role?
My wife is a special education teacher, and our daughter is a sophomore in college, so days in our home start early! Give me a little exercise, coffee, and a good breakfast, and I am ready to kickstart my day. Working from home can make it harder to turn it on and off, so I keep a light on my desk. When the light is on, it’s office hours. When it’s off, I try to disconnect.
My days are full of research, outreach, problem-solving, meetings, and interacting with awesome people. At the end of the day, I organize and tee myself up for a positive start for tomorrow.
How do you stay motivated to hit your goals when you’re having a tough day?
Attitude dictates altitude. I’d tell you whose quote that is, but then you’d know how old I am! Positivity is a must if you’re going to spend your day creating a positive outcome. Unfortunately, that’s not always as easy as we’d like. My family’s health and best interests keep me focused. We create our own outcomes, and I like to spend as little time as possible having a tough day, so I change my attitude as quickly as I can to get back on track. Sometimes, all it takes is a walk around the neighborhood. I also have a great manager who always makes himself available to help.
Want to work with Buz?
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!
