Lifestyle

From Door to Door Sales To 20k in 10 Days With Trace Johnson

Published

4 years ago

August 4, 2021

Selling door to door is undoubtedly one of the most challenging jobs but it’s also very rewarding. The truth of the matter is that it is not for everybody. Only salespeople can understand the gravity of this statement. However, it has its silver lining. It equips and braces one with the knowledge about their customers’ needs, wants, and concerns. It also trains one to survive in harsh and challenging conditions. That is why it is easier for a salesperson to stay in any other industry.

When Tace Johnson transitioned from a college athlete to a business athlete, he did not know what awaited him. His first opportunity was door-to-door sales. Trace was optimistic that finally, he would make a full year’s salary in just a few months during his door-to-door summer sales. He moved to Chicago to find a better environment for sales. All along, Trace knew that sales was his thing. Unfortunately, it was difficult and that turned him entirely away from sales. He stayed in Chicago for three months before going back to Arizona. And boom! Trace was back to the drawing board.

The Comeback

Trace felt stuck. But a glimmer of hope flickered when Trace met with Dustin Venekamp. Dustin became his new mentor while helping him achieve his goals. Things started working out and making sense. Trace Johnson began to get on his feet again. This time around, it was a mighty comeback. He humbled himself and learned precious lessons.

How Trace Traced His Path To Be A Game Changer

Six weeks into a new business, Trace had already begun making headlines in the industry. He said to himself that he would lead the month in production. He wrote 20K in 10 days on a ten-day road trip that he led, still brand new in the industry.

It was at this point that Trace began to focus on sales and building his legacy. He started to look for top talent to help develop into the salesperson he was becoming. And guess what? Trace became the Top rookie MGA (Managing General Agent) for the whole year for all of 2020.

Lessons To Learn

Find A Mentor

There are many fundamental lessons that you can learn from Trace’s sales journey. One single aspect you can pick is that you always know to humble yourself under a mentor. A mentor will help you identify and correct gaps in your skills and knowledge. They will also help you identify and achieve career goals. They will also encourage and empower you in personal development. Besides, a mentor will also increase your confidence.

Stick To What Works

Another evident lesson is that you learn to stick to what works. Do not spend much time on what isn’t working.

Focus On The Bigger Picture

It would help if you focused on your purpose. Learn to focus on the why behind things. Don’t get stressed by thinking about yourself. You can take yourself out of the equation and go out to serve others. Trace learned to help people and put them first.

Therefore, if you want to be a sales pro, the above tips can jumpstart you. For more information on Trace Johnson’s sales journey, you can connect with him on Instagram; @tracejohnson_

Lifestyle

Why Derik Fay Is Becoming a Case Study in Long-Haul Entrepreneurship

Published

1 week ago

July 2, 2025

Michelle Langton

Entrepreneurship today is often framed in extremes — overnight exits or public flameouts. But a small cohort of operators is being studied for something far less viral: consistency. Among them, Derik Fay has quietly surfaced as a long-term figure whose name appears frequently across sectors, interviews, and editorial mentions — yet whose personal visibility remains relatively limited.

Fay’s career spans more than 20 years and includes work in private investment, business operations, and emerging entertainment ventures. Though many of his companies are not household names, the volume and duration of his activity have made him a subject of interest among business media outlets and founders who study entrepreneurial longevity over fame.

He was born in Westerly, Rhode Island, in 1978, and while much of his early career remains undocumented publicly, recent profiles including recurring features in Forbes — have chronicled his current portfolio and leadership methods. These accounts often emphasize his pattern of working behind the scenes, embedding within businesses rather than leading from a distance. His style is often described by peers as “operational first, media last.”

Fay has also become recognizable for his consistency in leadership approach: focus on internal systems, low public profile, and long-term strategy over short-term visibility. At 46 years old, his posture in business remains one of longevity rather than disruption a contrast to many of the more heavily publicized entrepreneurs of the post-2010 era.

While Fay has never publicly confirmed his net worth, independent analysis based on documented real estate holdings, corporate exits, and investment activity suggests a conservative floor of $100 million, with several credible indicators placing the figure at well over $250 million. The exact number may remain private but the scale is increasingly difficult to overlook.

He is also involved in creative sectors, including film and media, and maintains a presence on social platforms, though not at the scale or tone of many personal-brand-driven CEOs. He lives with his long-term partner, Shandra Phillips, and is the father of two daughters — both occasionally referenced in interviews, though rarely centered.

While not an outspoken figure, Fay’s work continues to gain media attention. The reason may lie in the contrast he presents: in a climate of rapid rises and equally rapid burnout, his profile reflects something less dramatic but increasingly valuable — steadiness.

There are no viral speeches. No Twitter threads drawing blueprints. Just a track record that’s building its own momentum over time.

Whether that style becomes the norm for the next wave of founders is unknown. But it does offer something more enduring than buzz: a model of entrepreneurship where attention isn’t the currency — results are.