I have been in this business for over 8 years and I never get tired of helping people. Since my first day in the industry I have always tried to do what I could to go the extra mile for the people I work with. Alot of my customers over the years have become friends. But that's what this business is all about..building relationships. Sure the money is important, but what good is the money when you don't love what you do? What joy is there in making millions of dollars when you have no memories of how you got there?
My love for this business came at the age of 21 years old. My father was full time police officer and part time everything else! He was in construction, computers, boats, planes, movies, drums, music you name it, and my father experienced it. The man was the perfect role model on how to truly learn all there is to know in this world. One day he came home with some information about starting up a small sign business. He and I discussed plans to remodel our garage to build a shop. He knew a lot of people in town and they were already lining him up with work. I loved the idea. The idea of doing this with my father..together was even more enjoyable.
We ordered our first machine from Marty Connelly, a Roland Camm 1 CM-24 24" Vinyl Cutter.We purchased Signmate Elite and some supplies and we were off and running. We would work together and come up with our own techniques for application and installation. Some of my more closer customers may have heard my "oven cleaner" technique, feel free to ask and I'll give you the details. Over the next few years, my father and I had our work proudly displayed all over town. There really wasn't anyone else in the area doing what we were doing. Not too mention, the money I was making at 21-22 years old was great too!
Soon my father let me take over the shop, and I ran things myself. I had my first REAL taste of what business was like. I was working construction in Jersey City by day and my sign company on most nights and weekends. I wanted to learn as much about the business as possible, but financially, I had reached my limit, or so I thought.
I was picking up coroplast with my local supplier when a girl there asked me if I was interested in working. She and I had spoken many times before as she was my customer service rep, and Marty Connelly was also working with this company as well. I had dealt with Marty many times. When I screwed something up, he was "THE GUY" to call. So I took the job and off I went. Mind you I started my job one week before 9/11. Had I not taken the position I would have seen the entire day unfold..not sure how I feel about that still. Of course many of you know that "that girl" later became my wife and partner in TyrrellTech NJ, Kelly Ramm.
I started out in customer service and soon went to Equipment. I knew NOTHING about ANY of the machines in the building. I only had a cutter, but the previous guy left and Marty got me a shot at selling the big boys and I took it. I'm never ashamed of admitting that I didn't know much about any equipment other than what I owned. Simply because that's the best way to learn. If you think you know everything..you find out fast that you don't. If you are open minded and receptive to learn, you'll move fast.
Over the years, under Marty's guidance I would do whatever I could to learn the machines as best as I could. I saw many many selling techniques, some good, some bad, but what made me different is that I always marched to the beat of my own drum. I stayed true to myself and never went against my beliefs. Soon Marty and Tim Rossetti (my former boss) realized that I had my own style. I enjoyed going above and beyond the call of duty with my customers. I never had any "formal training" in all the 8 years I was employed with my first company. I only worked with experience and knowledge that others gave to me.
In this business and any business, being a self starter can be key. No one is going to hand you anything in this world. No one is going to come take you by the hand and walk you through life step by step. You have to grab it and take it for yourself. Even in this so called "terrible economy". While everyone else is sitting by and "waiting it out' my strongest customers are making some MAJOR changes to their shops and when things to "turn around" they plan to be light years ahead of everyone else..But I digress..
For 8 solid years I maintained a love for this industry. I have made a lot of friends and learned so much, but most important, I have had the pleasure of having customers come up to me every year at the USSC show in Atlantic City, shake my hand and say "Thank you". Why? What's so good about me? Why am I any different than anyone else? Maybe it's my passion. Maybe it's my ability to sell customers what they NEED and not just look to rob them of every penny in their account and leave them to fend for themselves. Perhaps my role in both sides of the industry have helped allow me to listen to a customer's needs and guide them in the direction they need to be headed into. I talk to people like they are human beings..because that's what they are. Treat people the way you want to be treated.
Sadly, last year, a lot of my passion for the industry died when Marty Connelly lost his battle with cancer and passed away. Next to my father, he was someone who I could truly respect and admire. He showed me everything he knew. He was a good man, and a little bit of my passion was lost when the industry lost him. I miss him. I also needed a change in my career, the company I was working with was headed into a different direction. One that did not agree with me so I moved on. But what next? I truly wanted the chance to be in a place where I could feel as passionate about the industry as I did on day one. I found that in TyrrellTech.
Now some can say, "oh sure you can say that about your OWN company" or "well of course he's going to speak highly about the company he works for now" No. That's not the case. Anyone in this industry who TRULY knows me and has worked with me knows I tell it like it is. I don't pull punches and I don't just endorse something I don't believe in. When I left my last job, I felt like I really needed a path. I was seeking a way to regain that passion I once had for the business. I found that in Craig Tyrrell and TyrrellTech.
He and I share a lot of the same ideas about customer service and satisfaction. How it goes so far beyond pushing 200 boxes out the door a day. How it's so important to stand behind your product, your customers and your team. How you sell the RIGHT equipment to the RIGHT customer. Together my wife and I partnered up with the TyrrellTech family and we are once again living that same dream and sharing that same passion and once again it just feels right. To be up and running and managing my own division in New Jersey is something I have always wanted but never saw myself reaching. It's something I will forever be in debt to TyrrellTech for, and it fuels the fire each and everyday.
The reason I share my story with you is this. MY goal as a Sales Consultant is to help you build YOUR story..YOUR legacy. My goal is to guide you in the right direction and give you the tools and the support you need to succeed. When you take the time to invest in TyrrellTech, you'll see why we do whatever it takes to keep our customers successful. Who knows..maybe the next person who shakes my hand at USSC in Atlantic City and says thank you will be you!
Until then
Thanks for reading...
Dan Ramm
Sales Consultant
TyrrellTech New Jersey
200 Route 31 North Suite 109
Flemington, NJ 08822
888-865-0300 ext 230
Email: DRamm@tyrrelltech.com
www.tyrrelltech.com
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