[7] 7 Sales Lessons from my Great Dane; Ronin
Eight months before I packed my bags for Austin, I found myself on a 22-hour round-trip road trip—yes, 22 hours of questionable music choices, existential crises at gas stations, and a truly alarming amount of beef jerky—to pick up Ronin, my Great Dane. If you’ve never driven that long alone, let me tell you, there’s a point where you start narrating your own life like it’s a dramatic documentary.
Back then, I was a shy preschool teacher in Portland, Oregon. My idea of stepping out of my comfort zone was trying a new coffee order or—gasp—making a phone call instead of texting. But when I finally met Ronin, with his oversized paws, floppy ears, and a goofy grin that screamed chaotic good, I knew life was about to get a whole lot more interesting.
The drive home with him was an adventure of its own. Imagine a 15-pound puppy who had already decided he was a big dog—sprawled across my lap like a weighted blanket I didn’t ask for. Between his little snores, endless snack stops, and my growing realization that I had just committed to a literal horse, I felt the kind of excitement and panic that only comes with making a life-changing decision.
What I didn’t realize at the time was that Ronin wasn’t just my new best friend—he was about to become my unexpected sales mentor. Raising a Great Dane turned out to be exactly like working in sales: unpredictable, sometimes messy, requiring absurd levels of patience, and ultimately, the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done.
Here’s what this 120-pound, couch-stealing, soul-snooping goofball taught me about sales (and life), plus some actionable tips on how to implement these lessons into your own journey.
Lesson 1: No One Has It Figured Out at First—And That’s Okay
The first few weeks with Ronin? Absolute chaos. My apartment turned into a crime scene of shredded shoes, drool puddles, and the unmistakable scent of regret (which I later realized was just his signature smell). But every chewed-up sneaker, every whoops, I peed on the rug moment, was just part of the learning curve.
Sound familiar? That’s exactly what sales feels like when you’re starting out.
I remember my first cold call like it was yesterday: sweaty palms, voice cracking like a teenager in a growth spurt, and enough filler words to make a thesaurus cry. But much like Ronin learning the ropes of potty training, I got better. Slowly. Awkwardly. With a few metaphorical accidents along the way.
💡 How to Implement This in Your Sales Career:
Normalize the awkward phase. No one starts as an expert. Let yourself be bad at something before you get good at it.
Keep a “growth journal.” Every week, write down what went well and what you learned. You’ll be shocked at your progress in a few months.
Practice in low-stakes environments. If cold calling terrifies you, start by talking to strangers in coffee shops or practicing your pitch in front of a mirror.
Lesson 2: Confidence is Built, Not Born
Ronin was not a naturally confident dog. At first, he was scared of everything—the vacuum, the wind, his own reflection. (Which, honestly, relatable.) But with time, exposure, and a whole lot of good boy affirmations, he grew into a dog that owned every room he walked into.
Sales confidence works the same way. No one walks into their first sales job exuding the charisma of a seasoned closer. Confidence is built through practice—repetition, feedback, and a willingness to look ridiculous until you get it right.
💡 How to Build Confidence in Sales:
Use power poses. It sounds silly, but standing like a superhero before a big call actually works. (Science says so!)
Create a confidence playlist. Blast your favorite pump-up songs before prospecting. (Bonus points if you dance a little.)
Celebrate every win. Even if it’s just getting through a tough call or asking a good question, track your progress and acknowledge it.
Lesson 3: Persistence Pays Off (Even When You Feel Like Giving Up)
Ronin never gave up on anything—not on stealing my food, not on convincing strangers to pet him, not on trying to fit in places he definitely did not fit.
Sales is just like that. You’ll get a hundred no’s before you get a yes. You’ll send follow-up emails into the void. You’ll have prospects who ghost you like a bad Tinder date. But persistence pays off.
💡 How to Stay Persistent Without Burning Out:
Reframe rejection as redirection. A no today doesn’t mean a no forever.
Follow the "Rule of 7." Studies show it takes an average of seven touchpoints to close a deal. Keep following up strategically.
Make it a game. Track how many "no’s" it takes to get a "yes" and challenge yourself to beat your record.
Lesson 4: Charm is Your Secret Weapon
Ronin had this thing—he’d tilt his head, bat his absurdly long eyelashes, and people would melt. He could get away with anything just by being his charming, goofy self.
And guess what? Sales works the same way. Clients can tell when you’re being genuine, and genuine sells better than scripted perfection ever will.
💡 How to Find Your Sales Charm:
Be yourself. If humor is your thing, use it. If you’re great at storytelling, lean into that.
Ask more questions. The best salespeople listen more than they talk.
Smile when you talk. It sounds weird, but people can hear a smile in your voice. Try it!
Lesson 5: People Remember How You Make Them Feel
Ronin never met a stranger—only future best friends. Clients are no different. People don’t just buy products—they buy experiences, relationships, and trust.
💡 How to Create Memorable Client Experiences:
Use their name often. People love hearing their own name. It builds familiarity and warmth.
Send thoughtful follow-ups. Instead of generic emails, reference something personal from your conversation.
Be helpful, not just salesy. Even if they don’t buy now, offering value keeps you top of mind.
Lesson 6: Sometimes, You Just Have to Let Go
Losing Ronin was one of the hardest things I’ve ever gone through. But his biggest lesson? Sometimes, you have to let go.
💡 How to Handle Sales Losses Gracefully:
Bless and release. Some deals aren’t meant to be. Don’t waste energy forcing a bad fit.
Reflect, then move on. Take one lesson from every lost deal and apply it to the next.
Remember: sales is a marathon, not a sprint. Keep planting seeds. They’ll grow when the time is right.
Final Takeaway: Missing My Best Work-From-Home Companion
Ronin was more than just my first sales mentor—he was my coworker, my emotional support boulder, and my daily reminder that no matter how crazy life (or sales) got, there was always time for a snack and a good stretch.
Working from home feels different without him. I still catch myself reaching for his ear to scratch absentmindedly during Zoom calls, only to remember he’s not curled up at my feet. Mornings aren’t the same without his dramatic I demand attention sighs, and I miss the way he’d barge into my office mid-pitch, flopping onto my lap like he wasn’t 160 pounds of pure chaos.
There was a rhythm to our days that made the work grind feel lighter—his giant, sleepy face appearing in the background of video calls, his tail thumping the floor whenever I landed a deal, the sheer audacity of him thinking he deserved half my lunch. Now, without him, the silence feels heavier.
But what Ronin left behind wasn’t just a missing presence—it was a whole catalog of lessons that shape how I show up every day. He taught me that sales (and life) aren’t about getting it perfect, but about showing up fully, embracing the chaos, and making genuine connections.
So, in his honor, I try to bring a little bit of his spirit into my day-to-day. To be bold. To wag my metaphorical tail when things go right, and shake off the losses when they don’t. To never stop chasing what excites me (though maybe not with quite the same reckless enthusiasm he had for squirrels).
I miss him every day. But if I learned anything from my giant, drooly best friend, it’s that the most important thing isn’t just to keep going—it’s to make every step of the journey one worth remembering.
💡 Need a little extra road trip inspiration?
🎶 My Ultimate Road Trip Playlist – featuring the questionable music choices that got me through a 22-hour drive and multiple existential crises.
🍫 The Best Road Trip Snack Recipe – Peanut Butter Honey No Bake Granola Bars aka, the only thing that kept me functioning between gas station stops.
Here’s to embracing the chaos, making real connections, and always keeping a good snack (and a Great Dane-sized dream) within reach.