Since this post is longer than usual, I’d suggest starting with some energizing music.
Let’s get going!
This interview is the first unique part of Insightful Voices‘s series, ‘Strategies from Industry Experts‘ The focus is on revealing the strategies behind the growth and global expansions of companies.
Wanna reach out to Magdalena? Find her on LinkedIn.
Your journey into sales is impressive, with over a decade of experience. Can you share what initially drew you to this field and how your early experiences shaped your approach to sales?
Interestingly, my path into sales began by pure coincidence. As a teenager, I was looking for some casual work and found a job at a small boutique in my hometown. Sales in a local boutique are a world apart from what you find in big shopping malls. Everything is based on relationships and trust. Your main task is to give good advice and help the customer, not just sell something.
At that time, I didn’t understand these differences but looking back, I’m grateful for starting my journey in such a customer-centric environment.
My next jobs also involved sales. I believe we have a natural predisposition to certain tasks or jobs. Mine involve sales and business development. Over the years I switched from b2c to b2b sales, working my way up from a sales consultant to management, until I finally matured to found MW Sales Solutions.
MW Sales Solutions is all about helping startups and innovative companies craft impactful sales strategies. What inspired you to start your own company and what do you enjoy most about working with early-stage businesses?
Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working with numerous startups and I kept noticing recurring mistakes: lack of market research, weak strategies, burning through budgets and poor hiring decisions. It became clear to me that I could make a difference by helping these companies navigate these common mistakes – that’s why I started my own company.
But beyond that, there’s something about the dynamic, ever-evolving nature of startups that resonates with me. I feel “in the right place” when I’m in an environment where change is constant, new challenges and opportunities for growth arise. What I enjoy most is being a part of the founders’ journey and contributing to their long-term success.
As a Sales Director at Ari10, you’ve been at the forefront of driving business growth in the rapidly evolving world of FIAT-Crypto gateways. What has been one of your proudest achievements in this role?
When I joined Ari10, the sales team was virtually non-existent. The company had just come out of a period of strong bull market performance but lacked a concrete strategy to sustain its growth. Initially, I was brought on board for a short-term project—to develop a sales strategy. However, after only a month I knew that I wanted to be part of the company and luckily for me, its CEO Mateusz Kara also wanted me on board.
Since then, I’ve built the sales department from the ground up, brought in a talented team and focused on acquiring key customers. I’ve also learned a lot along the way and I really appreciate the people I work with.
Over the past year and a half, I had the opportunity to represent Ari10 at international conferences, which has been a rewarding way to connect with global industry leaders.
You’re known for your expertise in Web3 solutions and helping businesses enter this space. What excites you most about the future of Web3 and how do you see it transforming sales strategies for B2B companies?
Web3 is still at the beginning of its journey and I think we will all be surprised by the new developments that will come into effect. This vision alone excites me. 🙂
But when it comes to sales, I think sales strategies will begin to incorporate tokenized assets, where companies can offer token-based incentives or loyalty programs to partners and customers. I also believe that over time a large part of our interactions will move to the Metaverse.
Another thing that is already happening is the use of cryptocurrencies and blockchain networks to enable instant cross-border payments without the need for traditional banks or intermediaries. For B2B companies, this means a significant reduction in transaction times, especially in international markets where payments can be slow and expensive.
You’ve spoken about the importance of having the right people around you in business. Can you share an example of how having the right team has influenced your success and why you believe this is crucial for any startup?
Absolutely! Having the right people around us, whether in our personal or professional lives really does make a huge difference. In a business setting, having a team with diverse skills can truly transform an organization. There’s plenty of research to back this up, but I’ve also experienced it myself.
Personally, I’ve always been the “activator.” I’m pretty good with throwing new ideas, crafting strategies and driving the team forward. But I’ve learned that I’m not great at repetitive tasks or deep analysis. Early in my career as an entrepreneur, I fell into the trap of constantly chasing new ideas without testing them thoroughly, which is actually a common challenge for many founders.
Things started to work out when I teamed up with someone whose strengths were management and analytics. This balance allowed me to focus on my strengths while ensuring that the business operated efficiently.
When it comes to start-ups, diverse teams can pivot quickly because they bring multiple perspectives to the table. This adaptability is really crucial for startups, which often need to change course rapidly in response to market feedback.
Throughout your career, you’ve helped businesses avoid costly mistakes. What are some of the most common mistakes you see startups make in their sales approach, and how can they avoid them?
One of the biggest mistakes I see is a lack of clarity around the target audience. Many startups try to sell to everyone, but this approach never works. Without a clearly defined market, businesses end up wasting their marketing and sales budgets on ineffective activities.
Another mistake is over-hiring before achieving product-market fit. Many startups expand their sales teams too quickly, which often leads to inefficiency and frustration.
Lastly, as mentioned earlier, constantly changing strategies without validation can be destructive. I’ve seen teams burn through their budgets trying new ideas without giving enough time to see real results.
Looking ahead, what are some of your big plans and goals for MW Sales Solutions? Are there any new services or initiatives you’re excited to launch in the near future?
The end of the year is approaching and this is always an intense period for us – companies are preparing for the next year, often still have budgets in reserve and are looking for help with building and implementing new strategies.
Our focus will be on building and implementing these strategies for our clients.
Looking into next year, we’re excited to launch a series of training sessions and workshops tailored specifically for companies aiming to strengthen their sales processes.
You’ve balanced multiple roles throughout your career, from consulting and training in sales to leading in Web3 solutions. How do you manage these responsibilities, and what advice would you give to others who are juggling multiple hats in their professional lives?
It’s definitely a challenge and I’m still learning how to manage it efficiently. One skill I’ve developed is prioritization. Not all tasks are equally important, so I prioritize based on urgency and impact.
Delegation is another key lesson. Trusting others to handle tasks without my direct involvement has been crucial, as has implementing automation in various processes. By automating repetitive tasks, I can focus on what truly requires my attention.
And the last thing I’m still learning – it is important to rest. Each of us has a different level of “endurance” but what’s crucial is being able to notice when our bodies need a break and giving ourselves permission to pause and recharge.
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