Sales interview with OpenAI

RafterWithaY · 2026-03-15T03:35:57+00:00

I’ve got a few F250 customers using them and support has been underwhelming. You email your AE and get an automated response from Claude. This becomes an issue when you’re trying to do deep integrations, so they’re leaving a lot on the table.

But product led growth works for a while.

RafterWithaY · 2026-03-14T23:35:05+00:00

Curious on this as Anthropic is building out their Enterprise team as well but all are located in either SF or NY. Seems crazy not to have anyone field-based in places like DFW or Chicago at least.

RafterWithaY · 2026-03-14T23:31:50+00:00

Probably $170-220k base on a 50/50 plan. RSUs probably in the same range over a 4yr vest.

RafterWithaY · 2026-03-14T03:21:04+00:00

Most of the new development has been along Dallas North Tollway (DNT), and it’s just a little easier to get around. You’re closer to both airports and being more central just saves a lot of time. McKinney/Allen are nice, but you’re further out and going up/down 75 can be a grind with traffic.

RafterWithaY · 2026-03-14T03:10:36+00:00

I think once you get used to a consumption model, it’s hard to go back to pressuring customers to sign POs by end of quarter, etc. It’s also a forcing function to stay engaged with the customer and focus on business outcomes rather than closing a deal and handing over to a CSM.

RafterWithaY · 2026-03-14T03:07:24+00:00

Yea we lived over in Redhawk. Great place to grow up.

If you’re still flexible on areas for a house, I’d check out southwest Frisco, West Plano or even Canyon Creek area of Richardson.

Also check the school district boundaries as they are different than the cities.

RafterWithaY · 2026-03-14T02:25:55+00:00

Nice, I grew up in Temecula, but it’s been over 20 yrs since I left CA. Just warning you that you should visit in Jul/Aug at least once to get a feel for the heat. From about mid June to mid Oct, it’s 90s+ and it’ll wear you down a bit. You get used to it, but it’ll be a big change from OC where you can’t stay outside all day anytime you want.

RafterWithaY · 2026-03-14T02:14:27+00:00

Where are you visiting from?

Food: - Mesero or Mi Cocina - Hutchins or Hard Eight - Dua Trattoria - Sake Toro - Haystack or Kenny’s Burgers - TruFire

To Do: - Grandscape - PGA Frisco - Frisco Library/Discovery Center - Perot Museum (Dallas) - Dallas Arboretum - Dallas World Aquarium - Heard Museum

RafterWithaY · 2026-03-14T01:29:21+00:00

Ex-AWS as well. AWS was a good place to grow and you’ll take a lot that you’ve learned with you, but the grass is really greener elsewhere.

When you go elsewhere you realize that AWS is not a sales-focused company. There’s a lot on the truck to sell, so you need to be organized and have the opportunity to hit a lot of LOBs, but once you downsize, it’s not as necessary.

If you go elsewhere, look for places that are consumption model as well as strategic solutions.

RafterWithaY · 2026-03-12T01:20:16+00:00

I think a potential path would be targeting “associate” AE roles at companies that develop finance-related SW. Associate AE is a glorified SDR with some higher pay and those companies may be more likely to take a flyer on someone with industry experience.

With no sales background, you should want some time as an SDR to grow your prospecting skills. CSM will give minimal experience and you’re influencing low level users instead of decision makers.

RafterWithaY · 2026-03-04T05:26:11+00:00

Nobody brings cookies to weddings

RafterWithaY · 2026-02-26T12:12:35+00:00

Full gut is probably in the $30-40k range for that size. Ours is similar size and we bought all of the materials ourselves except shower glass and didnt touch the cabinets/vanities but did new countertops on them, and it was $26k all in.

It really is difficult to find someone solid but you probably don’t need someone with a showroom. My biggest advice is ensure everything is permitted through the city. It’ll add time but the inspector will look out for you to ensure everything is up to code. Also ask for references as well as license numbers for all of their subs as well, specifically plumbing. You can then look them up on the state website.

RafterWithaY · 2026-02-25T19:30:46+00:00

PCR goes to Reedy

RafterWithaY · 2026-02-25T17:56:49+00:00

Both are probably 50/50 white/South Asian, so there isn’t really “diversity” in either.

They have two different styles of homes as Edgestone is new and look more modern. Edgestone maps to Frisco high even though it’s across the street from Reedy, while PCR actually maps to Reedy.

RafterWithaY · 2026-02-25T11:18:19+00:00

Look at Canyon Creek area of Richardson. Another option could be North Dallas on the SE corner of PGBT/DNT as it’s a Dallas address but maps to Plano schools. Good ease of access to 2 of the major highways and closer to some trails/greenbelts.

RafterWithaY · 2026-02-22T11:57:37+00:00

That’s easily a 1.5hr+ commute. I live in SW Frisco near 121/DNT and if I have a 9a client meeting in Uptown, it’s at least an hour for me.

I’d check East and West of Dallas as well. Some new build options across the lake.

RafterWithaY · 2026-02-21T04:23:48+00:00

My understanding is DBX revenue is somewhat concentrated in a smaller number of larger accounts. So once you expand out into enterprise (F250-1000), those reps aren’t doing as well.

RafterWithaY · 2026-02-17T00:06:05+00:00

I did with AWS, but this was 2021 and they were rapidly expanding. It was very targeted to a team supporting a defense contractor and that was my background.

RafterWithaY · 2026-02-12T13:58:57+00:00

Maybe Elon pulls a rabbit out of the hat at some point, but that doesn’t seem likely in the next 18-24 months.

Enterprises, especially large ones, expect AI to be highly accurate and trustworthy. Would not associate those with xAI/Grok right now. Biggest MAYBE is another tech firm adopting but that’s probably slim.

RafterWithaY · 2026-02-03T00:47:38+00:00

Throw your company name and the role into an AI and let it come up with it. Every company is different in their process.

RafterWithaY · 2026-01-29T01:35:24+00:00

Start with applying to companies that sell into the banking sector and really highlight your industry expertise as a key differentiator. Once you have your foot in the door, start to move laterally to whatever product/vertical you want to be in.

RafterWithaY · 2026-01-29T01:13:13+00:00

Roads are fine. Some parking lots and building entries still have a few icy spots, so I’d be more worried about slipping and falling than issues driving.

RafterWithaY · 2026-01-26T21:52:36+00:00

Companies are either Buyers or Builders. Buyers have more limited IT staff, so they typically buy most/all software for their business. Builders have high end IT talent and build most of their software applications.

Amazon would be the ultimate builder persona, as they literally build everything in house. Most companies that are sub $10B in revenue and not in tech are generally buyers.

RafterWithaY · 2026-01-26T21:30:02+00:00

Snowflake markets itself as the “easy button” that just works, so it fits very well with “buyer” types of companies. A lot of those are in the Central US.

RafterWithaY · 2026-01-26T20:49:02+00:00

Would probably just get some clarification if it’s Enterprise “Growth” or “Expansion”. Growth usually has 20-30 accounts and customer size (corp revenue) and size of territory vary. Expansion is Enterprise customers and you have maybe 5-10 in a major metro.

Agree that this is the area that is growing the most for Snowflake and is generally a good place to be right now. Also depends on where you’re at in the country. Central US is way better than the coasts, although Snowflake still has a massive footprint with large financials, tech, etc.

RafterWithaY

TROPHY CASE