Here's what Joel had to say:

What motivates you?

My motivation is my customers and the desire to meet and exceed their expectations. A sincere "thank you" at the end of a project goes a long way.

What sale am I most proud of?

I couldn't pick just one. I've been selling for 22 years, and the sales I am most proud of are the ones that seemed unobtainable, but through perseverance and hard work we were awarded the projects.

What is the best sales advice you were ever given?

I always remember a quote from Zig Ziglar: "I believe that you can get everything in life you want, if you will just help enough other people get what they want." Serving your customers to meet their needs, not yours, results in long-term relationships and successful sales.

What do you do when someone says "no"?

I ask why. If I don't learn from my mistakes, I risk repeating them. I believe every one is an opportunity to learn something new. The only way to improve is to constantly be learning from others.

What is the hardest thing about sales?

One of the most difficult things about sales is getting in to see the prospective client. Many salespeople give up and become discouraged when they can't get an appointment. The difference between successful salespeople and average salespeople is that the successful ones know how to get the appointment.