Episode 8: From Jail to Tech Sales Leader: Jack’s Transformative Journey

December 2, 2024

The Host

Will Koning

Will Koning is the CEO and founder of meritt, a company reshaping the way businesses hire top talent. With a passion for helping people find and create career opportunities, Will has dedicated his career to helping young professionals break into high-performance commercial roles, regardless of background. He was the creator of the UK's first SDR bootcamp, through which he hired and trained hundreds of SDR's, giving them their first roles in sales.

As host of the meritt podcast, he brings fresh insights on recruitment, leadership, and the evolving job market, sharing his expertise in building teams that perform at the highest levels. Will's commitment to innovation and meritocracy drives both the company and the conversations he leads.

Show Notes

Episode Guest

Jack Knight

At 19 years old, I was in a jail cell. 5 year drug addict, double college dropout. I threw my life away. But Jesus Christ met me in that jail cell, and showed me all He had given me in life to live a life of impact, but because I was living life my way, I was ruining it. He told me that if I'd live life for Him, He'd give me a new life. I said I'm in, and He came through. He opened doors for me that I didn't deserve, and gave me value and purpose when I had none. Since then, I've had the honor of leading multiple world-class SDR organizations that have generated millions in pipeline and revenue, and have invested in young sales professionals, helping them both realize and fulfill their God-given potential.

Join Will Koning, CEO and co-founder of meritt, as he sits down with Jack Knight, founder of Sword Advisory and a former jail inmate who turned his life around through faith and hard work.

In this inspiring episode, Jack shares his personal story of overcoming addiction, finding purpose, and excelling in the world of sales. They discuss the importance of hustle, self-discipline, and the skills learned as an SDR that can propel one to success in the business world.

If you're looking for motivation and practical advice on breaking into tech sales, this episode is a must-watch. Tune in to learn more about Jack's transformative journey and get actionable tips on landing your next big sales job.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
00:45 Jack's Transformative Journey
01:50 Life Lessons and Faith
02:59 Overcoming Addiction and Finding Purpose
06:21 Entering the Sales World
08:35 Building a Career in Sales
11:40 Advice for Aspiring Sales Professionals
13:34 The Importance of Hard Work and Discipline
19:12 Navigating the Job Market
22:57 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Transcript

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