Helping People First: Turning a Sales Career into a Workforce Movement with Michael Cole

Welcome to Sales & Cigars—where the only smoke we blow is from cigars.

This week, Walter sits down with Michael Cole, founder of Next Level Technician, for a conversation all about helping people—the true heartbeat of sales, business, and leadership. What started as a way to connect a few underserved young people with skilled trade jobs turned into a national staffing and training company with real community impact.

From hospitality to sales to entrepreneurship, Michael's journey is rooted in one belief: if you help enough people, you'll get what you need. This episode unpacks what it really means to add value, lead with integrity, and grow something meaningful—even when you're sweating payroll or navigating tough setbacks.

In This Episode:

• Why helping people is the foundation of lasting success
• Michael's unexpected leap from sales to staffing founder
• The moment he realized he had something important to build
• How green tech training is addressing the skilled labor shortage
• Real talk: surviving client bankruptcy, making payroll, and staying the course
• Lessons in management: challenge your team and watch leaders emerge
• The power of consistent effort—and just showing up

Critical Ideas:

• Always be looking for ways to add value—as a salesperson or entrepreneur
• If you haven't sweated payroll, you haven't truly run a business
• Give your team room to grow—and your managers will become leaders
• Serving others first opens up new doors for everyone involved

Connect with Michael Cole and Next Level Technician:

• Website: https://www.nextleveltechnician.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/next-level-technician/

Connect with Walter Crosby and Sales & Cigars:

Website: Helix Sales Development

LinkedIn: Walter Crosby

Instagram: @wcrosby248

Facebook: Helix Sales Development

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Keep savoring those cigars and stay sharp in sales! Until next time, keep listening to Sales & Cigars—the podcast where the only smoke we blow is from cigars.