Selling repurposedMATERIALS

Damon Carson has successfully owned and operated repurposedMATERIALS since 2010 and has seen tremendous growth throughout the years. Carson, a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University, has since worked in the waste management industry which led to the establishment of repurposedMATERIALS. With headquarters in Denver, Colorado and the addition of four other locations in Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Philadelphia, and South Carolina.

The company is engaged in buying and selling a surplus of industrial materials that can be used for future business purposes. For example, one of the industries Carson heavily relies on for continual profit is old, used firefighter hoses. Also, conveyer belts from the mining industry are highly lucrative. Now, some of the industrial materials Carson buys are quite interesting as many come from various, common structures that we see virtually every day.

For instance, the waterproof vinyl canvases on advertising billboards can be repurposed and sold to farmers and ranchers as pond liners for sustainability. More notable examples include a collaboration with Buffalo Wild Wings to create tables through the use of old gym floors, wine barrels used for plant pots, and old military cargo parachutes to be resold to zoos and outdoor weddings as a canopy. Although, possibly the strangest repurposed material could be the public works street sweeper brushes that are converted into livestock backscratchers; particularly, one of Carson’s biggest buyers is CNN founder Ted Turner for his herd of bison.

What Every Business Student Needs to Know About Selling?

While the materials acquired to repurpose are pretty much readily available, it takes a specific kind of buyer to purchase these overhauled materials. In fact, one of Carson's biggest challenges is building awareness for the products they sell. Even though he has limited competition, depending on the product, it is paramount for him to research and target people who may want to consider purchasing his products.

Notably, Carson believes that to be a great salesperson one should follow a few simple guidelines: "relax, be yourself, and create a relationship with the customer." A good relationship with a customer can lead to long-term business and more connections to other potential clients. It also important for a salesperson to be ethical and trustworthy to their clients in order to maintain a good, long-term relationship (Castleberry & Tanner, 2019).

Overall, the ability to sell is crucial to the operation of a thriving business.

A big thanks to Mr. Carson for allowing me to pick his brain about the sales operation of his successful business.

Castleberry, S. B., & Tanner, J. F. (2019). Selling: Building Partnerships. New York: McGraw-Hill Education.