Today, we have Amber Hamilton on the pod.

Amber is the co-founder and CEO at RedwoodRISE Ventures, a Virginia Beach-based advisory firm that empowers start-up founders to succeed by providing mentorship, guidance, and resources to help them navigate the challenges of scaling their businesses and transitioning into operational leadership roles.

She has extensive experience developing sales systems that help start-ups ramp up their sales teams as quickly and efficiently as possible.

That’s why I’m excited to have Amber join us today—to dive deep into her sales philosophy and unpack some principles that you can apply in your own business and career.

So, without further adieu, get ready for Episode 21 of the Systematic Selling Podcast 👇

RedwoodRISE Venture's Amber Hamilton shares valuable go-to-market strategies and insights into building the sales "infrastructure" required for long-term success.

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Host: Sean Lyden, founder & CEO, Systematic Selling

Guest: Amber Hamilton, Co-founder and CEO at RedwoodRISE Ventures (https://www.redwoodrise.com/)

Show Notes:

[00:00:00] Introduction

Sean introduces Amber Hamilton, co-founder and CEO of RedwoodRISE Ventures, a Virginia Beach-based advisory firm empowering startup founders through mentorship, guidance, and resources.

[00:01:26] Amber's Background

Amber shares her journey from growing up in Baltimore to settling in Virginia Beach, discussing her education in Communication Studies and Leadership at Christopher Newport University.

[00:04:00] Early Career and Family Life

Amber talks about her initial career plans, including a brief stint in a faith-based organization and her experience as a stay-at-home mom before venturing into event planning and sales.

[00:05:34] Transition to Bridal Industry

Amber describes her entry into managing high-end bridal stores, highlighting her natural ability to see and implement efficient systems and processes.

[00:08:49]

Building a Successful Sales Team

Amber details her approach to hiring and retaining sales staff in the bridal industry, emphasizing the importance of culture, conflict resolution, and practical sales techniques.

[00:15:45] Hiring Strategy for Sales Representatives

Amber explains her criteria for hiring sales reps, including looking for people with service industry experience and the right personality traits for the job.

[00:23:52] Transition to Entrepreneurship

Amber recounts her journey from managing bridal stores to working for a startup, and eventually starting her own business.

[00:29:54] Founding RedwoodRISE Ventures

Amber shares the story of how she met her business partner, Sarah, and how they identified a gap in the startup support ecosystem, leading to the creation of RedwoodRISE Ventures.

[00:43:00] RedwoodRISE's Approach to Startup Success

Amber outlines their process for helping startups, including brand development, target market identification, pricing strategy, and sales operations.

[00:50:21] The Importance of Market Research

Amber stresses the critical role of thorough market research before building products or implementing marketing strategies.

[00:58:53] Overcoming Sales Reluctance

Amber provides practical advice for founders who are uncomfortable with making sales calls, including leveraging personal networks and shifting mindsets about sales.

[01:07:49] The Personal Challenges of Entrepreneurship

Amber discusses the emotional and psychological challenges founders face, emphasizing the importance of separating personal worth from professional outcomes.

[01:13:01] The Baseball Analogy for Sales

Amber shares a powerful metaphor from her sons about baseball being a "game of failure," drawing parallels to the persistence required in sales and entrepreneurship.

[01:15:07] Final Words of Encouragement

Amber concludes with an inspiring message for founders, encouraging them to keep going despite the challenges, emphasizing the importance of their voices and innovations in the world.

This episode offers a wealth of insights for founders and sales leaders, covering topics from building effective sales teams to overcoming personal challenges in entrepreneurship. Amber Hamilton's journey and expertise provide valuable lessons for anyone looking to improve their sales strategies and build successful startups.

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🎙️E21: Sales Systems & Startups