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”

Neil Bhuiyan sits down with Kirsten McCoy, SDR at Patchworks, to explore how confidence in sales is built through experience, not certainty.

Kirsten didn’t follow a traditional path after leaving school. While others around her had clear plans, she was figuring things out in real time, eventually stepping into sales through a contact centre role at Scottish Power. It was here she experienced the reality of sales early, targets, pressure, rejection, and learning by doing.

The conversation goes deeper into the personal challenges that shaped her. Kirsten opens up about living with anxiety, navigating difficult relationships, and the isolation she experienced during COVID, including losing friends to suicide.

Rather than something that disappears, she shares how anxiety is something she has learned to manage through honesty, support and self-awareness.

Listener Discretion:

This episode includes discussion of anxiety, trauma and suicide. Please take care while listening. Support resources are listed below.

Guest Links

• LinkedIn: Kirsten McCoy
• Company: Patchworks

Key Takeaways

• Confidence in sales is built through action, not waiting to feel ready
• Not knowing your path early on is normal and often where growth begins
• Contact centre sales builds resilience through real conversations and rejection
• Anxiety does not go away, but learning to manage it changes everything
• Speaking openly and asking for support improves both mental health and performance
• Being dropped in football developed resilience that now shows up in sales
• Coaching provides belief and structure when you don’t yet have it yourself
• Identity outside of work strengthens how you show up professionally
• Enjoying your work directly impacts performance and consistency

Chapters & Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction to the SDR DiscoCall Show

01:12 – Meet Kirsten: An SDR’s Journey

04:18 – Kirsten’s Path to Sales

09:36 – Overcoming Challenges in Career Choices

11:57 – Lessons from Scottish Power

12:46 – Lessons from Scottish Power

15:24 – Transitioning to New Roles

18:26 – Exploring Account Management

21:18 – Navigating the Pandemic

24:08 – Career Progression and Opportunities

27:01 – The Impact of Social Media on Sales

39:37 – Career Progression and Opportunities

41:37 – Building a Strong Foundation in Sales

44:43 – The Importance of Coaching and Mentorship

49:17 – The Role of Sports in Personal Development

55:50 – Navigating Anxiety and Mental Health

01:06:34 – Advice for the Younger Self

Soundbites

• “Ask questions and accept help”
• “Resilience is key in sales”
• “TikTok opened new doors for me”

Support & Resources

• UK & Ireland: Samaritans - 116 123 / jo@samaritans.org
• USA & Canada: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - Dial 988
• International: https://www.befrienders.org/
• Global: https://findahelpline.com/

In this episode, Sonia Gonzalez Guillonneau shares her journey from childhood in Spain to becoming a sales coach and founder of The SDR Coach based in Madrid.

Sonia reflects on her early entrepreneurial spirit, including selling bead bracelets as a child, and how those early experiences helped shape her understanding of customer care, value creation and independence.

The conversation explores Sonia’s move to the UK, navigating language and cultural barriers, and how she built her early career in tech sales. She shares lessons around resilience, seizing opportunity and developing confidence early in your career.

Neil and Sonia also discuss the realities of personal growth, the importance of authenticity and kindness in business, and how self-awareness plays a key role in building a meaningful career.

For anyone navigating their own career journey, Sonia shares honest reflections on overcoming adversity, embracing growth and continuing to evolve both personally and professionally.

Guest Links

• LinkedIn: Sonia Gonzalez Guillonneau
• Company: The SDR Coach
• Sonia's Podcast - Watch on YouTube
• Sonia's Podcast - Listen on Spotify

Key Takeaways

• Resilience is a core mindset for navigating career development
• Early entrepreneurial experiences can shape long-term business skills
• Overcoming language and cultural barriers builds adaptability and confidence
• Curiosity and an opportunity mindset accelerate career growth
• Empathy and compassion remain important human qualities in modern sales
• Authenticity and self-awareness are key to building meaningful professional relationships
• Kindness in business can strengthen connections with customers and colleagues

Chapters & Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction to the SDR Disco Call Show

01:29 – Meet Sonia Gonzalez-Guillonneau: Sales Coach and Podcaster

02:32 – Sonia’s Passions: Travel, Creativity and Sports

03:29 – Launching the “Kindness in Business” Podcast

05:29 – Sonia’s Journey into Sales: Early Influences

12:22 – Entrepreneurial Spirit: Selling Bracelets at a Young Age

14:36 – Moving to the UK: Challenges and Growth

20:11 – University Experience: From Film Studies to Art History

25:31 – Starting a Career in Sales: The First Job

26:50 – Navigating Corporate Transitions

29:31 – Building Relationships and Seizing Opportunities

35:17 – The Drive for Independence and Success

42:06 – Challenges in Sales: Gender Dynamics and Personal Struggles

50:53 – Navigating Relationships and Success

54:26 – The Journey to Coaching

59:37 – The Reality of Self-Employment

01:12:34 – Advice for the Next Generation

01:18:10 – Outro

Soundbites

• “Life is definitely not linear.”
• “You’re stronger than you think.”
• “Keep learning and evolving.”