Episode 8 - Charlie Keable

“My maths teacher told me I’d always be ten steps behind. That just pushed me to prove him wrong.”

In this episode of The Spark Inside, hosts Christian Hewgill and Becca Knight talk to Charlie Keable, two-time Niterra Salesperson of the Year, about his journey through the automotive world. Starting with aspirations of becoming a Formula 1 mechanic, Charlie took a different path, working his way up from valeting and warehouse roles to leading sales for one of the UK’s top automotive parts suppliers.

Charlie shares the challenges and strategies of selling in a competitive market, the importance of building relationships, and the lessons he’s learned from his early career setbacks. He also dives into his passion for DIY van projects and classic cars, showing how his personal and professional lives are fuelled by a love for everything automotive.

Whether you’re considering a career in sales, love hearing about unique career paths, or just want advice on persistence, this episode offers plenty of inspiration.

Key Moments:

[00:00:00] Introduction: Summer cars and favourite drives

[00:06:29] Guest Intro: Welcoming Charlie Keable

[00:08:01] From Valeting to Sales: A journey through the automotive industry

[00:10:03] Early Aspirations: From bodywork to Formula 1 dreams

[00:13:32] Building Client Relationships: Charlie’s approach to sales success

[00:23:53] Advice for Aspiring Salespeople: Thick skin and long-term planning

[00:27:03] The Spark that Ignited: Turning criticism into motivation

[00:29:13] Passion Projects: DIY van builds and family camping adventures

Featuring: Charlie Keable

Presented by: Becca Knight and Christian Hewgill

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Podcast Website: www.thesparkinside.co.uk 

The Spark Inside is an 18Sixty production brought to you by Niterra UK Ltd.