When Jessica set out to find a new role, she was really focused on finding something that could accommodate her need to work remotely. Luckily for her, Coast Inc, had just opened up remote opportunities in Michigan, where she resides, as a part of an expansion plan with our clients. She has since learned the ins and outs of day to day client acquisition and has since taken on helping our team add additional Michigan team members. She sat down with us recently to talk about her experience and what she's learned.
Q: How did you hear about Coast Inc?
A: When I was applying for jobs, I was on both Indeed and LinkedIn. When I found Coast Inc., I didn't care what the job was, I wanted to work remote if I could, I wasn't really looking to go into an office. Coast was offering partially remote positions, and it caught my eye. Done, sign me up! I sent my cover letter and resume in. And that was it.
I think I probably applied within a week or so. And then Shannon got back to me and I read everything on [the company]. I'm like an investigator, I call myself a mini FBI investigator. Because I will know everything in anything I could possibly find. And so when I'm looking for a job, and I think it's going to move forward, I would go and look up employee reviews. So that was very big for me as well after I got the promotion. And I was like, 'Okay, now I need to do some more information on what this company is about, and if their values match my values'. I went through a Google search, looking at some previous employees that worked here, it was mixed, right? Now I understand why it was mixed, because this is a certain type of job only for people who want to grow. And then you have those who make excuses. So looking back on it now, those who didn't align with this job, are the ones who make excuses for why they can't get stuff done, and why they can create a future for themselves. They want everything handed to them, in my opinion. And with this job, you have to work your [behind] off. I kind of get it now that I'm here. What those people said aren't even true. They just didn't understand the process.
Q: Did you have any hesitations before you decided to join the Coast Inc. team?
A: I didn't have any objections or hesitations at first. But I was still on the fence. Like, let me see if I can do this because I've never done sales before. This was all new to me. So I wasn't even sure if I was going to be able to successfully do it. So when Anna and Anthony came to train me, I was with Hinda for a few days and my first day, I'm going to be honest, it kicked my [behind]. Like I was I was also very sick my first day of course, like it just had to happen that way. I literally came home and just cried. And it's not because I had a bad day, it was just a lot that we're learning in one week. It's very overwhelming for someone, who has never done sales. And I think me being sick probably didn't help either. So and so that day, I pretty much told myself, 'give it a week or two. If it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out. But just try, all you can do is say you tried, and that's all it matters." So I got through my first week training with Anthony. And by the end of the week, I was feeling really good about myself, and figured that this was something that I could continue to do, and I wasn't gonna give up.
I pretty much told myself, 'give it a week or two. If it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out. But just try, all you can do is say you tried, and that's all it matters.'
Q: What are the top reasons you chose to apply?
A: I like the potential to move quickly. And further your career. Obviously, none of us want to sit here and be in the field for the rest of our lives, right. And so there is huge opportunity for us to grow enough fast pace, and progress and open up our own company like Nicole. And so I really liked all of the potential that it has for us to grow into that position. And it's all based on your pace. How fast you move how or how slow you move. Honestly, if someone wants to spend a whole year in the field, they're more than welcome to if someone wants to progress and open up their own business like Nicole, they can do it as quickly as they possibly could. And so that really caught my eye, I also can be a money hungry person. And the fact that we have uncapped commission really drew me in as well. Some weeks if I'm doing really well like this week, I'm doing really great last week, not my best, but that just pushes me even more to work my ass off harder and do better than next week. I also really liked the fact that they are so focused on training meeting everyone, and everyone has a good relationship, like No person is better than the other. The culture in this company was the number one thing that drew me in, to be honest, everyone is very friendly. It's not like a normal corporate office where everyone talks crap about each other and secretly hates each other. But then they're nice to hear. I can go to anyone at any time throughout my day, if I have a question, and they will be more than willing to help me. And I love that as well versus somewhere else. People get annoyed if you ask questions like, you should already know this. You've been here for three months, 'blah, blah, blah', type of deal. I just really love the culture. I love how everyone supports one another. I love that we do high rollers and cheer each other on. Not only does it support one another, but it also pushes the new people as well, and shows them that, okay, someone like me, for instance, who has no sales experience is literally killing it in the field right now. I want to be like her, do everything I can to get to where she is.
Q: What attracted you to Coast Inc?
A: I would have to say maybe the ability to work on my own. I've always been very independent, I grew up an only child. So I've always been very self disciplined. And I like working by myself. I have no issues with it whatsoever. I do like working with other people, but it doesn't bother me to work by myself. So I liked that I liked that they are merit based. There's like so many things [about working here] and the culture really drew me in.
Q: What is it like to work with Coast Inc?
A: I didn't expect to have so much fun, this is not a normal corporate job. There are very negative connotations from some of the reviews but I genuinely have so much fun and more than I expected, [going to] grocery stores- connections are made and doesn't feel like I'm in a sales position.
Q: How has Coast Inc. helped you achieve your goals?
A: Before Coast, a normal person just sets their goals, right, they don't really do need to push themselves to reach those goals. And so being with Coast, I've realized I'm not going to make my goals happen if I don't actually do anything to move towards them. So at Coast, we make goals every week. And then I also make goals per month as well, for myself. And without putting action items to those goals on how I'm going to reach them each week, or each month, you're not going to hit your goal because you're just gonna write it down. And you'll be like, okay, and you're gonna wait for it to happen. And with each one, emphasize action items to push yourself to reach those goals. Because if you don't, you're never going to do them, and you're never going to reach them.
Q: What are the most significant improvement that have resulted from your work?
A: I would have to say my self confidence and my ability to have a conversation with people, because like I mentioned before, I'm very introverted. I never would go out of my way to speak to someone. Before now, it was uncomfortable for me to go up to speak to someone so I wouldn't. I'm actually training a new person all week. And now I'm like,' Alright, let's go.' I have no problem walking up to a stranger. And I have no problem being more persistent to get someone's attention versus before I would have been timid, I would have just left. Going back to being confident, I am because I'm confident in myself, I'm competent. When I'm working, I know exactly how to get my job done. I would have never done that a year ago, for sure.
Q: What does working with Coast Inc. mean to you?
A: Honestly, I feel grateful and honored to be working here. I know saying it's an honor, it's like a little bit of a extreme. But I wouldn't the person that I have grown to, into in the last three months is someone that I never would have imagined. Without working here, I would not be that person. I'm very thankful to be working here and having the support that I do every day.
Jessica was born in North Carolina but grew up in Michigan. She received her bachelors from Wayne State, where she studied Anthropology. Graduating right at the onset of the pandemic, she was interested in remote opportunities that could help her gain experience but offered her more flexibility.
This interview has been lightly edited for clarity. You can learn more about Coast Inc. here.
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