There is no better way to catapult oneself into emotional and mental maturity than through going door-to-door.

While going door-to-door, you inevitably meet thousands of people, from different backgrounds, cultures, and norms.  It is the most comprehensive non-traditional educational experience I can imagine.  You talk to people about the things that they believe in, how they think, and what they place value on.  You are able to see how they treat their spouse and their children, how they treat strangers, and how they keep their living room. 

Door-to-door sales will give a person an entirely new perspective – on themselves, on society, and on life.  The experience helps you define who you are, who you want to be, and how you can become that version of you.

I am now almost four years out of college and I work in Global Advertising Sales for Microsoft.  I am also a writer, illustrator, and entrepreneur.  In every sphere of my life, I apply the lessons that I learned from Southwestern Company every single day.  I am more confident, more empathetic, more organized, more decisive, more disciplined, and more poised than I would be without that experience.  To this day, I carry a copy of the check that I earned selling books in my wallet.  Not so I can go around bragging about the amount of money I made, but as a tangible reminder of the summer job which gave me the gut, the tenacity, the work ethic, and the strength of character I have today.

Going door-to-door with Southwestern Company taught me the power a positive attitude and the importance of goal-setting.  I learned sales skills, self-motivation skills, and ultimately how to run my own business.  I recognize that although we cannot always control our circumstances, we certainly can control how we react to them.   Southwestern Company has made me a more valuable employee, a more compassionate friend, and a more dependable person.

Selling door-to-door is an experience unlike any other.  It takes hard work and perseverance to develop character; and going door-to-door is a place to do just that.

I ran my own business with Southwestern Company for three summers (2003-2005), and did manage to sell a few books while I was at it.  I found it humorous that all these years later, my grandfather still held onto the tarnished reputation of door-to-door salespeople - despite the fact that his beloved granddaughter was one of them!

The simple fact is this: he probably would have let a Southwestern Company student dealer in had one shown up on his doorstep.  I say that because Southwestern students are well-instructed and adequately trained prior to their departure onto the bookfield.  These students are taught to always act professionally.  This means:  being respectful and courteous at all times, abiding by all county and city laws, acquiring all necessary permits, and adhering to community rules or standards.  Southwestern students are instructed to be pleasantly persistent, not pushy; and assumptive, not forceful. 

I am certain that there are many people with the same mindset as my grandfather.  That is, until they come across a humble, polite, and sincere young person associated with Southwestern Company.   My guess is that this mindset changes when a person has such a positive experience with a door-to-door salesperson.  I made many, many friends during my time selling books – and I can say without a doubt that these people were glad I came by.

Unfortunately, there are several organizations which do not properly train their sales forces, and it’s these ‘bad apples’ that tarnish the bunch.  But, if Southwestern continues to instill the same morals and instructions that they have been for the past 150+ years, I would only assume that the tide will slowly begin to turn, and door-to-door sellers will be greeted with open minds and open hearts.

If my grandfather opened the door to see a cheerful, friendly, and articulate young man or woman, I would bet that he’d stick around to hear the pitch.