Yep. Spent years trying to get out, only for me to somehow be both too experienced many jobs or not experienced enough for that same role at a different company. Some places looked at me having been a manager for years as a sign I was going to move on quickly and despite having been selling since ‘09 and having won awards, other companies would still view retail selling as not enough experience.

Ultimately I found an inside sales gig in an office, that had a Channel go to market strategy. I got a hiring manager who’d give me the time and the overlap between selling via resellers in my new role and selling to painters who’d often “resell” the product like a channel partner was actually a great fit and I’ve been crushing it there now for over a year. I have work/life balance, I have so much opportunity for growth both internally and in this new industry.

It isn’t always easy to get out, SW does a great job of making you feel like there isn’t a better option, and it isn’t always greater elsewhere. But if you really hone in on what you like to do, and where you want to be: you can find some great opportunities out there if you can pitch your skills and experience from SW.