#127 The SDR DiscoCall Podcast – Connor Grimes

In Episode 127 of the SDR DiscoCall Show, Neil Bhuiyan sits down with Connor Grimes to explore a sales journey that didn’t start in tech and didn’t follow a straight line.

From pubs and retail to fuel sales and eventually tech, Connor shares how he learned through experience, early success, and the challenges that came with it.

He opens up about the realities of sales performance, leadership, and the personal mistakes that forced him to reset and grow.

This is a conversation about accountability, resilience and figuring things out as you go

At the time of recording, Connor was Business Development Lead at Willo and has since moved on to a new role, as an Account Executive at Sadie

Listener discretion: This episode includes discussion around alcohol, personal mistakes and their impact on professional life.

Watch the video episode on YouTube:

YouTube: https://youtu.be/puoyMvixlcs

Guest Links

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connorgrimes/

Key Takeaways

• Sales careers rarely start in tech and often evolve through different industries
• Early environments shape how you handle pressure, targets and rejection
• Asking top performers for advice can accelerate results quickly
• Commission success early on can change motivation and confidence
• Leadership brings different challenges beyond individual performance
• Mistakes in professionalism can become turning points for growth
• Moving into tech sales requires adapting from volume to quality
• Understanding the SDR role is critical for hiring and team success
• Building relationships across teams improves long-term performance

Chapters & Timestamps

• 00:00 – Introduction to SDR DiscoCall Show
• 01:16 – Meet Connor Grimes: A Sales Dad’s Journey
• 04:23 – Connor’s Career Path from Retail to Sales
• 11:00 – First Taste of Sales Success
• 17:13 – Challenges in Sales Leadership
• 17:54 – Work-Life Balance During Lockdown
• 22:00 – Transitioning from Fuel Sales to Recruitment
• 27:57 – The Leap into Tech Sales
• 30:38 – Quality Over Quantity in Sales
• 33:16 – Alcohol, Professionalism and Consequences
• 37:53 – Learning from Mistakes
• 40:14 – Finding Redemption and New Opportunities
• 44:43 – Alcohol and Workplace Relationships
• 50:25 – Advice for New Sales Professionals
• 56:38 – Understanding the SDR Role
• 01:02:43 – Key Lessons for a Young Salesperson

Soundbites

• “Ask questions and build relationships in sales”
• “I still have a lot of love for Leeds”
• “I’m an Arsenal Gooner by choice”