When Jacques Saint Fleur walked past a Cingular kiosk in 2007, he had no idea it would be the start of an amazing career journey with AT&T.

Fresh out of the military with a background in nuclear intelligence, Jacques was looking for a job that offered flexibility to accommodate his school schedule. He never considered a retail job would give him an enthusiasm for sales and lead him on to the success he’s achieved as a Business Sales Manager.

Old Friends and New Beginnings

Jacques’ career began in an unexpected way – reconnecting with a high school friend working at the kiosk. Jacques’ friend mentioned they were hiring and suggested he apply. After thinking about the opportunity to balance work with his studies, Jacques decided to give it a chance.

His timing couldn’t have been better. Cingular was transforming into the AT&T we know today and at the time had been selected as the exclusive provider of the iPhone. With the surge in interest, Jacques was quickly developing his sales and service expertise. Jacques was a natural at working with people and helping them find solutions. It wasn’t long before he earned his first Service Excellence Award and transferred to one of the highest revenue stores in the suburbs of Boston.

“The popularity of AT&T and the exclusiveness of the iPhone allowed me to rapidly build my customer service skills,” Jacques recalls. “I found my love for sales and realized I could control my income in a way that complemented my educational goals.”

Seeking New Challenges

In 2012, thanks to support from AT&T’s tuition reimbursement program, Jacques finished the bachelor’s degree he started after the military. By 2014, he had received enough recognition and awards for performance he knew that sales wasn’t just a job, but a career. And his was taking off.

He learned early on that successful salespeople aren’t just service providers. They’re creative hunters who continuously seek new business opportunities, and he was ready for the chase.

Jacques made a major career and life decision in 2018. Moving his two kids and wife across the country from Boston to Los Angeles, he transitioned from retail to business sales, accepting a new role in one of the largest markets in the country. It was a bold step that required commitment and determination. The shift was challenging, requiring him to develop new skills and adapt to a role where he had to proactively find business rather than wait for customers to walk in.

“When you’re forced to live outside your comfort zone, you realize how brave and confident you really are.”

Investing in Growth

To excel in his new role and city, Jacques decided to enlist some help and hired a personal development coach. He describes this as the best investment he ever made. Within a year, Jacques had become a top 10% performer, and he stayed at the top for the next several years.

Jacques’ dedication didn’t go unnoticed. In 2021, he was promoted to Sales Manager and given the chance to lead a team of sales executives. It was an even bigger opportunity to demonstrate his expertise and enthusiasm for sales.

Managing for Team Success

It took years of commitment, continuous learning, and more than one step outside his comfort zone to build the career he has today, and he wouldn’t change any of it.

Jacques’ enthusiasm for sales is at an all-time high. As a Business Sales Manager, Jacques’ current focus is helping his team achieve their full potential and meet business goals. “Our job is to understand customer’s needs and provide clear solutions. We don’t need to be experts in everything; we need to be experts in connecting with people.”

Giving Back and Leading by Example

Jacques’ commitment to excellence doesn’t stop at his career. He’s also deeply involved in community volunteer work, helping underserved youth in South Central Los Angeles. Jacques also gives back to the professional community through his service as President of the Los Angeles chapter of the employee group NETwork Black Integrated Professionals and acts as the alumni president of the AT&T Management Development Program.

Reflecting on his dedication to promoting self-improvement and a positive and inclusive company culture, Jacques says “When you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work. AT&T provides the opportunity to be your best self; it’s up to you to take full advantage of that.”

Taking advantage of his opportunities is exactly what Jacques is doing, having been recently honored with the Q4 2024 Apex Award for driving results and creating a winning culture. This recognition is just further proof of what you can achieve with creativity, resilience, and a passion for helping others. Jacques shows what it means to thrive in business sales in today’s dynamic environment.

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