Monthly Archives: July 2013

Katelyn Wheeldon: Building Skills in the Real World

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University of Iowa sophomore Katelyn Wheeldon entered the business world long before she entered the Dardis Classroom to Career program. As a student at Sigourney High School, Katelyn, now 18, owned her own gift wrapping service and gift basket sales business through the eSigourney Entrepreneurial Academy for Leadership program. Now Katelyn is building up her network in southeastern Iowa and meeting successful individuals that work or own their own businesses, as well.

Below, Katelyn shares what drives her and how the Dardis internship program is building the foundation for a successful career.

Why did you enroll in the Dardis Classroom to Career internship program?
I wanted real-world experience, and I know that sales is important in any field. You will always be selling something, whether that something is a product, service, idea or yourself. Dardis has given me a solid foundation to build upon, which I can continue to build up long after this summer.

What are your long-term career goals?
I’m really interested in public relations and advertising. The strategies behind ads we see every day are fascinating, and there is so much work that goes into that billboard you see on your way to work or a 30-second commercial that you see on TV.

What was the most valuable information you learned in the Dardis Sales Academy?
I learned so much in the Dardis Sales Academy, but the two things that stick out in my mind are active listening and eye contact. Learning that the number one complaint about salespeople is that they talk too much made me try to ask open-ended questions and listen to my customers. Also, learning how to cut out filler words through eye contact helped me give effective presentations and talk to large groups of people.

What goals do you hope to achieve this summer?
My big goal is the Mexico trip, which is awarded to the interns who meet a goal of sales, but my other goal is to get to the point to where I am presenting the clothing to different people at least five times a day.

Do you have a favorite Dardis product?
I really like the ties. It allows men to bring out a little fun and personality in their wardrobe. Plus, you can always find a tie that goes with a Dardis dress shirt or a previously owned shirt.

What advice do you plan to share with all of your clients?
Socks should match the pants and not the shoes. Also, that dress shirt sleeves should be a little long so that the sleeves stick out of the suit coat a bit.

How do you think your role with Dardis Clothiers will benefit you in the future as you begin your post-college career?
Dardis and Dardis Sales Academy taught me skills that I can use in my future career and even currently in my classes. I have taken a sales class before, but actually being out in the real world selling something is totally different. You have to think on your feet and think of answers that aren’t in a textbook. You are tested every day and in every meeting – not just every few weeks with a fill-in-the-bubble test.

Bennet Klostermann: Making the Most of the Dardis Opportunity

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It was a personal phone call with Dardis Academy owner Greg Dardis that convinced University of Northern Iowa student Bennet Klostermann, 21, to join the Dardis Classroom to Career internship program. As they discussed the vision for the program and Bennet’s personal aspirations, Bennet knew the Dardis could provide the “story” he needed for his resume and his eventual career in the medical sales field.

Read on to learn more about this Dyersville, Iowa native’s internship experience so far:

What are your long-term career goals?
I look to be very successful this summer, but I really want to take everything out of these next 10 weeks I can and use them to better myself now and for my future. Dardis is giving us a great opportunity, so I would like to use this to my advantage to ensure I can be successful in the upcoming years.

What was the most valuable information you learned in the Dardis Sales Academy?
The Dardis Sales Academy was a tremendous way of being introduced to the company. We went through 40-plus hours of training on communication and image skills. I found this to be very helpful because this is what Greg and the rest of Dardis team does with huge executives and different companies from all around the world. And for me, the communication aspect of the training was very helpful and knowledgeable. It gave us the tools to be successful when approaching a potential client, giving a speech in front of a group or even during an interview with a potential employer.

What are you looking forward to the most with this summer experience?
I’m looking forward to the chance of growing and expanding my network. This is a great opportunity for us as students to really show who we are and what a hard work ethic can do for you.

How has the transition gone from the Academy to selling the Dardis product?
At the Academy, we talked a lot about goals. I set personal goals for myself, because it challenges you to keep going and to keep pushing yourself even when you’re not having the best days. The best thing that has happened to me so far this summer was when I walked into a business doing a complete cold call, and they already knew who I was and wanted to sit down with me and learn more about what Dardis has to offer. It’s a nice feeling because you know that somewhere along the line, I did my job and made a positive impact on someone and they recommended me around town, which is huge in sales.

Do you have a favorite Dardis product?
All of our products here at Dardis are great. Personally however, I really like our jackets/blazers. It’s a great product, and they go with basically everything. If I had one more choice, I would definitely say our neckwear. The ties are second to none and give everything a great look.

What fashion/menswear advice do you plan to share with all of your clients?
Dress for the job you want, not the job you currently have. A first impression is made within the first seven seconds after meeting someone. It’s necessary that a man chooses models, fabrics and colors that compliment his shape and minimize its faults. If you look good, you’re going to feel good.

How do you think your role with Dardis Clothiers will benefit you in the future as you begin your post-college career?
Not only does it give me a story and makes me stand out, but Dardis also gives me the chance to use my past experiences and learn from them. It is teaching me how to be reliable, how to manage my time and giving me the chance to show that I can work hard and work smarter too. The opportunity I have at Dardis is something that will benefit me for a long time to come, which I am truly appreciative for.

A Successful Start For Intern Elliot Salter

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It’s difficult to believe that 20-year-old Elliot Salter, a finance major at the University of Iowa, entered the Dardis Classroom to Career internship program with no retail or sales experience. After only one week of selling last month, this Dyersville, Iowa native was at the top of the Dardis intern leader board, selling nearly $6,000 worth of merchandise.

Beyond his experience with Dardis, Elliot most importantly wants to help people through his financial services career path, and he believes that the Dardis internship program is the best place to start.

What was the most valuable information you learned in the Dardis Sales Academy?
Confidence is everything. If the potential customer does not believe that you know what you’re talking about, there is no reason for them be interested. Also, people love to buy, but hate to be sold. Every potential customer is different, so a successful salesperson needs to be able to adapt and direct the conversation toward someone else’s needs.

What are you looking forward to the most with this summer experience?
It will be great to have the kind of confidence it takes to be successful in this program. I have already grown so much as a people person, and I am looking forward to learning lessons through the high and low points of my experience.

How has the transition gone from the Academy to selling the Dardis product? Any success stories yet or a goal you hope to achieve?
The transition went very well! It is a lot easier selling a product that you know people need, but what is more important is that they know they need it. The UPS delivery person has already commented on how many of the Dardis packages they have delivered, so I hope to really make their head spin!

Do you have a favorite Dardis product?
I love my black paisley tie. I can wear it with almost any shirt, and it really adds the pop necessary to stick out.

What fashion/menswear advice do you plan to share with all of your clients?
Dress pants fit much different than jeans do. It is an interesting conversation explaining to men that they may not be gaining weight, but the measurements will be different!

How do you think your role with Dardis Clothiers will benefit you in the future as you begin your post-college career?
The skills I have already obtained and will obtain are priceless when it comes to the opportunities I will work for after college. A person who can speak well and look the part of the job they are aiming for would be hard to turn down.

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