Finding My Way to Palmer-Donavin

I graduated from Ohio University in 2020 with a BBA in Marketing and a Sales Certificate from the Ralph and Luci Schey Sales Centre. Coming out of college, my goal was to pursue a career in outside sales where I could build relationships, work directly with customers, and continue to learn and grow. I was drawn to something different from the traditional tech sales path and wanted an opportunity to build long-term customer relationships.

Palmer-Donavin was a corporate sponsor of the Schey Sales Centre, which is how I was first introduced to the company. Through the Schey, I connected with Palmer-Donavin’s HR team and learned about the Sales Development Program. What immediately stood out was the opportunity to learn the business while developing the skills I would eventually need in outside sales. Rather than being expected to start selling immediately after graduation, I could first build my knowledge of the building materials industry and develop my sales skill set. I was also drawn to the stability of Palmer-Donavin’s sales team and the relatively low turnover among its sales representatives. To me, that was a strong indication that Palmer-Donavin was a place where people could build lasting careers.

From Sales Apprentice to Outside Sales Representative

What I remember most about being a Sales Apprentice was the amount I learned about the business in a relatively short period of time. You enter the program eager to learn Palmer-Donavin’s sales process but quickly realize how many other areas of the company are pivotal to becoming a successful sales representative, including Marketing, Purchasing, Operations, Credit, and more. Spending time with each department gave me a much better understanding of how the business operates, how we go to market, and how to utilize the resources throughout the company to support my customers.

Another part of the program that stood out was the level of exposure I received from day one. As a new hire, I had opportunities to contribute to projects alongside members of senior leadership while also shadowing sales representatives in the field and learning what successful outside sales looked like from a variety of people across the team. Many of the relationships I built during the program became mentorships that I continued to rely on after graduating from the program.

When I eventually took over my own territory covering Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, I felt prepared and confident stepping into the role. I didn’t always know the answer to every question—and to be completely transparent, I still don’t—but the program taught me that success isn’t about having every answer. It’s about knowing where to find it, who to reach out to, and how to leverage the people and resources around you. That has remained one of the most valuable lessons from my experience at Palmer-Donavin.

Coming Full Circle as Program Advisor

After completing the Sales Development Program, I transitioned into an Outside Sales Representative role in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky market. Palmer-Donavin had a long-standing presence and established customer base in the market, but there was an opportunity to strengthen those relationships. From day one, my focus was to show customers that I was going to be a resource for them—to be available, answer the phone, follow up, show up when needed, and ultimately become an extension of their business.

One of the biggest lessons I took from the Sales Development Program was that this is a relationship-driven industry, and those relationships aren’t built overnight. You have to consistently provide value, do what you say you’re going to do, and earn your customers’ trust over time. Often, it’s the little things that contribute to long-term success in sales, and I was fortunate to see those lessons translate into my own territory.

After several years in outside sales, I felt I had gained knowledge and experience that I could bring back to the Sales Development Program and share with future cohorts. Developing people and helping others succeed have always been strengths of mine, and the opportunity to make that a larger part of my career felt like the right next step. Having been a recent college graduate entering this program myself not that long ago also gives me a unique perspective on what our apprentices are experiencing as they begin their careers.

What excites me most is the opportunity to develop sales talent that will contribute to the future success of Palmer-Donavin. Seeing apprentices progress into successful sales careers will, in many ways, feel like a success for me as well. Now, I have the opportunity to build on the program that helped shape my career by developing new training, creating additional field experiences, and giving apprentices projects and opportunities that better prepare them for life in outside sales.

Inside the Sales Development Program

Collin’s experience is a reflection of what Palmer-Donavin’s Sales Development Program is designed to accomplish: give early-career talent the foundation, experience, and support needed to grow into successful sales professionals. Apprentices have the opportunity to learn the business from the inside out, gaining exposure to both the Building Materials and Door Divisions while developing an understanding of how sales connects with the many teams responsible for serving our customers.

The experience extends well beyond the classroom. Sales ride-alongs, customer interactions, sales calls, product presentations, job shadowing, and exposure to different areas of the business allow apprentices to build their industry knowledge while learning directly from experienced Palmer-Donavin team members. Along the way, apprentices focus on six key areas of development: professional growth, industry and product knowledge, sales and relationship building, operational and technical knowledge, time and resource management, and strategic thinking. Structured training is paired with mentorship and real-world application, with apprentices taking on increasingly hands-on experiences as they progress through the program.

Preparing for a Career in Sales

Ultimately, the Sales Development Program is designed to give apprentices more than the skills to land their first sales role—it is intended to provide the foundation for a long-term career. When apprentices are ready to transition into outside sales, they enter the field with firsthand knowledge of Palmer-Donavin’s products, operations, customers, and culture, along with an established network of mentors and colleagues throughout the company.

Collin’s journey from college graduate to Sales Apprentice, Outside Sales Representative, and now Program Advisor demonstrates where that foundation can lead. As Palmer-Donavin prepares to welcome its next generation of sales talent, future apprentices will now have the opportunity to learn from someone who has experienced that journey firsthand—and who has come full circle to help them begin their own.