Peter Solway is the founder of The Founder Sales Solution, where he helps founders and early-stage businesses scale their sales engine.
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1) To kick things off, could you tell us a little about your career background and current role?
I’ve been building businesses across various industries from the ground up for the last 12 years. I’ve covered industries of retail and wholesale, technology and enterprise software.
Of note, I’ve led capital raising efforts of ≈ $500K in a pre revenue company, and built the first $500K ARR in an enterprise software company leaving with a 100% year on year growth trajectory.
Currently I’m sharing my sales and business building skills with founders who’re looking to sell more effectively, make their first sales hire, and build their first sales team.
2) What does a day in your life look like for you? Can you take us through a recent workday?
Yoga and meditation to kick off the day. My business day shifts between working with founders on their businesses, building industry partnerships and strategically developing my go to market business model.
3) Does your current role allow for flexible or remote working? If so, how does that fit into your life and routine?
It does. Personally, working from home isn’t my favourite experience, but I’ve got my set up in my living room which has allowed me to navigate this time of COVID.
I love being around people and their energy, so with things starting to open back up I’m looking to move into a co-working space soon. Oh, and I love meeting my clients in person, so whenever possible I like to do that!
4) What does work-life balance mean to you and how do you work to achieve that goal?
As a baseline I don’t commit to working outside normal hours. This doesn’t mean I don’t, it just means it’s optional and I’ll do it if I’m feeling inspired, there’s a good opportunity, etc. to work on. It helps to avoid the I work X amount of hours per week badge of honour that’s previously left me burning out.
In addition I really look to live a life that is set up to align with what I value most right now. I have a process where every month I do a ‘wheel of life’ review (it’s a thing in the personal development space, if you’re not across it I highly recommend Google)!
It allows me to check in and see where each area of my life is at and how I’m feeling about that in context of the rest of my life. From there if I need to make a shift in working hours, social activities etc. I do it. For example, last month I wanted to try something new and meet new people, so I joined a beginner Salsa class.
5) In the past 12 months, have you started or stopped any routines or habits to change your life?
Significantly. I become a bit of a master at setting up ideal schedules based on my values. However, I’ve discovered this doesn’t allow enough flexibility for the rollercoaster that is life. So now, I still set my schedule and routine, but every now and then take that little bit of extra rest if it’s needed, work a little longer if it’s needed, or say yes to something spontaneously.
6) Do you have any favourite books, podcasts or newsletters that you’d like to recommend?
I’m loving BE 2.0 by Jim Collins and Bill Lazier. To balance it out, I love my Australian Yoga Journal subscription, skimming through a couple articles here and then helps keep me grounded and connected to looking after myself.
7) Are there any products, gadgets or apps that you can’t live without?
I love Simplenote. It’s kind of like the notes app on iPhone, except it works across all platforms.
I’m also a lover of the Bullet Journal. It’s great because It captures everything from sales meeting’s, to my feelings about life all in one place and well organised.
8) If you could read an interview about work-life balance by anyone, who would that be?
9) Do you have any last thoughts on work, life or balance that you’d like to share with our readers?
Build a life you love in alignment with what you value most. It’s ok to work hard when it aligns with what’s important to you, but if you’re doing it because you feel you have to, it can become a slippery slope.
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