My Farewell Letter to Sales Talent Agency

Delivered electronically / June 24th, 2024

Hello Team STA and to all dear STA friends and colleagues past and present.? This letter is for you.?

It is with a mix of emotions that I write to inform you that my entrepreneurial journey with Sales Talent Agency will officially come to an end as I will depart the company effective today, Monday, June 24th, 2024.??

Seventeen years ago, Jamie and I embarked on a journey to create a company that would not only be a leader in its industry but also a place where people could thrive, innovate, and grow. Together, all of us, have built something truly remarkable, and I am immensely proud of all that we have achieved.?

No matter how smart we thought our strategy, success or failure came down to one thing: our team. Over the course of the past 17 years, we have had 202 people work at Sales Talent Agency. We set the bar high for taking risks on hiring and investing in people who represented high potential, yet unproven, talent. For many of you, we were your first job out of school and I have truly delighted to watch so many of you reach incredible milestones! I have taken great enjoyment in helping mentor, train and coach so many of you. Your hard work, dedication, and passion have been the driving force behind the success of Sales Talent Agency and I have personally felt inspired to learn and grow from all of you.?

Together, we have shared some of life's biggest moments: promotions, engagements, marriages, babies, life travels, big moves, pet ownership, home ownership, and so much more. All of you will and continue to hold a special place in my heart.? Together, we really did climb mountains (literally and figuratively) and I have no doubt that Sales Talent Agency, and each of you individually, will continue to thrive and reach new heights and I look forward to seeing the incredible things you will accomplish in the future.

Some noteworthy business highlights that we can all be proud of:?

• Going from zero to 7,025+ projects!??
• Working with 2,010+ unique clients!
• Billing nearly $100,000,000 in revenue!?
• 250+ client reference letters!?
• 350+ positive Google reviews!?
• Launching Canada’s largest student competition and introducing thousands to sales!?
• And so much fun along the way!?

The decision to leave has not been an easy one. Sales Talent Agency has been a significant part of my life, and I have cherished every moment working with such a talented and dedicated team. Whether we worked together for a very long time, or a very short time, I want to thank each and every one of you for participating in my own personal founder journey. Together, we built an amazing company, friendships were made and I have memories to last a lifetime.?

Although I am stepping down from my official position, Sales Talent Agency will always remain a part of me. It was the first logo I ever helped design and I will never forget the feeling of cashing that very first cheque. Going from zero to one was certainly the most fun!?

And whilst I know this is the moment I should gracefully step back, I hope you'll allow me one last opportunity to share some reflections and lessons I've learned during my tenure—insights that have guided me throughout my career and life and that I hope will be helpful to you in the future.?

1. You can do anything you dream, so dream big. Sales Talent Agency started as an idea, we worked hard and we committed to elite execution. If you have an idea, know that you can make it happen, as long as you dream big and execute well.
2. Act as an owner - owners take the garbage out when nobody asks them to. Be scrappy, do what you say you are going to do and be so good they can’t say no! Remember: how you do anything is how you do everything.?
3. Never take a no from someone who does not have the authority to give you a yes. Tenacity is a powerful tool, use it and develop it.?
4. We’re here for a good time, not a long time, so never stop learning and having fun. Be grateful for every day.?
5. Hard times come and hard times go. Always remember that.?
6. Sales solves everything. It’s also the funnest part!?
7. If you want to build a family, don’t delay. There is never the ‘right time’. Building my family alongside Sales Talent Agency was hands down the best thing I ever did.?

And finally, while there are so so many, I leave you with some of my fondest memories:

Making our first promo video:?

That one time I nearly got arrested doing a collections call:

Our first candidate wall of fame:?

Endlessly growing our wall of client references:?

Representing Sales Talent Agency to the world and on behalf of all of you:

And of course all the fun had along the way:?

For now, I walk away with a box full of cards and a bank full of memories.? It gives me great pleasure and pride to know that Sales Talent Agency heads into its next era with an incredibly strong foundation and team ready to continue doing great things.?

And of course, a final thank you to Jamie for all we built together. I have no doubt you will continue to do great things and I wish you all the success, health and happiness in the world. Oh, what a long strange trip it’s been!?(*LI addition, I hope you won't kill me for posting this picture!)

With heartfelt gratitude and best wishes to all. Keep on rockin’ in the free world!?

Sonya Meloff Co-Founder, Sales Talent Agency (exited)

#STAtoday