[jdileo]

In the U.S. & around the world sales pro's earn multi-six & 7-figure incomes (Read: more than most physicians, attorneys, engineers, etc.), yet most founders fail to recognize their import. For example, startups regularly task a co-founder or, gulp, initial admin hire to engage a prospect list or subset thereof. It is an enormous mistake that yields suboptimal adherence to best-practice and crucially, a flawed data set that a founder may clumsily use to forecast growth, churn etc.

The sales talent required to build processes, identify most promising inbound/outbound prospect funnels, execute script/price-point analysis & closing ratio's, etc. to bring a v1 to market is immense. Respectfully, your friend is woefully unqualified to serve your startup well. A B2B with pricing model you've suggested requires a 10x pro.

Where are you located? Website?

[goatherders]

This x 10000. A salesperson is not a task where mediocrity is acceptable. Without sales nothing else you do matters. A great salesperson and crummy product have a chance at success. A great product and a crummy salesperson are doomed to fail. No product or service can outrun bad sales.

Your friend isn't a salesperson. If his pedigree and smarts can help then fine. But he isn't a salesperson. Candidly, you are the salesperson until you have 7 figures of revenue. I'm serious. No one knows the product like you. Find other people to do the other things and dive into selling.

[Blackstone4]

I completely agree that an excellent sales person is worth their weight in gold. Right now I don't know any. I would love to meet some.

I'm based in London but I was in the US for the last 4 years. Moved back because of with the visa situation it was just easier.

[osullivj]

B2B enterprise sales is all about networks and contacts. A late 20s MBA will have none of these. You need someone who can work their existing extensive network as well as cold call, and get you in the door in front of real budget holding decision makers. I've worked on rates & FX trading systems in London for 20 years and know several guys like that who all do commission and equity points comp deals. PM me via contact details if you want to connect.

[Blackstone4]

Thank you for the offer. Do you know anyone in the alternatives space? with domain knowledge of private equity?

[markfer]

For what it's worth, I do weekly consulting and coaching with founders who don't have sales experience. If you're interested, we can talk a bit further.