At the age of fifteen, my sales career began. However, I started working much earlier, at the age of nine. I initially cleaned a neighborhood jewelry store, then became a stock boy at the local grocery store, eventually working my way up to my own paper route. My parents always stressed that if you want anything, you have to work for it and earn it. When I was twelve, I told my dad that I wanted to get my own newspaper route. He remarked that it would be great, but I would need a bicycle for it. I expressed that I was aware of this, which is why I was asking him (hoping he’d buy me a bike!). His reply was that there was a lawnmower in the garage, and if I mowed enough lawns, I could buy a bike. So, that’s what I did!
At the age of fifteen, my big discovery happened. I got a job at a full-service gas station and learned about something called TBA—an acronym for Tires, Batteries, and Accessories. If I sold those items, I would be paid a commission. While I provided great service by washing windows, checking tires, oil levels, and fluids, I was also earning extra money in the form of commission. I quickly learned that I didn’t need a formal education to be in control of my own destiny; I could make as much as I wanted in sales. My own initiative, desire, self-determination, and hard work would earn me what I wanted.
I met my wife at that gas station. She came in driving her ’57 Chevy, which had overheated and needed water. Even at that young age, I knew very quickly that she was the one! We were married three and a half years later and have now been happily married for 52 years.
Once we were married and I realized my responsibilities, it was time to get serious. I began a career in retail sales, climbing the sales ladder. I started as a salesperson, earning hourly pay plus commission, and rose to assistant manager, then manager, district manager (in charge of 32 stores), and finally general manager.
My career then transitioned to various sales training companies, where I learned all I could about sales and sales management. At the last company I worked for, I was promoted to Vice President of Sales and oversaw a twelve-person staff of salespeople. In 1996, I started my own company.
To date, I have written three books, developed numerous training programs on sales and sales management, and traveled to all fifty states, nine Canadian provinces, and numerous other countries around the world. I teach sales training, provide consulting, speak for many trade organizations, and have written articles for multiple trade publications.
As the father of three and a very involved grandfather to six, I have learned that the same principles that apply to business also apply to raising children and teenagers. These principles are what I will be sharing in this blog.
What I know is this: It is the consistent application of proven, sound principles that enables a person to be successful in business as well as in life.
Brad Huisken has written for the following Magazines/Trade Publications:
JCK – Jewelers Circular Keystone Magazine
Reed Elsevier Inc. –
ExpertBusinessSource.com Business Magazine –
Canada The Jeweler Magazine –
Jewellery Focus Magazine – United Kingdom
NHFA – National Home Furnishings
Retailer Now Magazine – Furniture
Music Inc.
WHFA – Western Reporter – Journal of the Western Home Furnishing
Southern Jewelry News – Midwest Jewelry News
The Stuller Standard
In-Store Magazine
National Shoe Retailers Association
National Jeweler
NPA National Pawnbroker Magazine and many state association magazine
Professional Apparel Association
Today’s Pawnbroker Magazine
International Bowling Industry Magazine
and more …
Brad Huisken has spoken for the following Organizations:
The Small Business Advocate – Jim Blasingame
JCK – Reed Expositions – Jewelers Circular Keystone Trade Show
JCK India – Reed Expositions – JCK – AIM 2008 & 2009
JCK Toronto –
IJL – International Jewelers London
Nationwide Jewelers – Australia
NAMM – International Music Products Association
AIMM – Association of Independent Music Merchants
NSRA – National Shoe Retailers Association
New Balance Shoe Company
PAA – Professional Apparel Association
CBG – Continental Buying Group –
IJO – Independent Jewelers Organization
RJO – Retail Jewelers Organization
JA – Jewelers of America
CLSDA – Collateral Loan & Second Hand Dealers Association
NASMD – National Association of School Music Dealers
NPA – National Pawnbroker Convention
Dixie Tri-State Pawnbrokers Convention
Ohio, Washington, Oregon, Texas, Missouri, Florida State Pawnbrokers Associations
Mid-West Pawnbrokers
South Eastern Pawnbrokers
Southern Pawnbrokers Association
HFA / NHFA – National Home Furnishings Association
WHFA – Western Home Furnishings Association
PGA – Worldwide Golf Exhibitions
BPAA – Bowling Proprietors Association Of America
State Jewelry Associations – Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas, New York, Illinois, Connecticut, Washington, Oregon, Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Dakota, North Dakota, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Hawaii, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, Atlanta Jewelry Show – Columbus Jewelry Show
New York JA Show – Midwest Jewelers Association
Middlesex Chamber of Commerce
WERA – Western English Retailers Association
Yehuda Diamond Company – Royal Asscher Diamond Co., Eight Star Diamond Co., Odiro Diamond Co., NACTA – North American Celtic Trade Association
And more…