In this episode of Entrepreneur Conundrum, Virginia Purnell sits down with Alison Mullins — an award-winning sales leader, two-time best-selling author, and founder of Rep Methods — to talk about what actually drives growth in trade-based businesses.
Alison shares why public speaking, trade shows, and real conversations consistently outperform social media in her industry — and how too many sales professionals stay stuck being reactive instead of proactive.
You’ll also hear Alison’s candid take on:
- Why most sales and marketing efforts fail before they start
- How referral and “co-op” relationships create faster momentum than cold outreach
- What it really cost to publish her first book — and why it was worth every dollar
- The challenge of collecting authentic testimonials in a paid-review world
- Using AI as a second brain, not a shortcut
- Her new workforce development summit helping high-school students build real communication skills and land internships
This episode is especially valuable for entrepreneurs, sales professionals, and trade-based business owners who want sustainable growth without relying on constant social media posting.
Key Questions
(01:31) How did you get to where you are today?
(05:09) Authoring your books, was it worth it?
(06:48) Who do you serve these days? Who's your ideal people?
(07:42) How do you get in front of these people?
(11:49) Do you utilize past clients' relationships that way to get your Google reviews or testimonials and stuff like that?
(14:53) What are some of your big goals in the next year or two?
(18:27) What is the best advice that you have ever received?
(20:40) What's the best advice you've given?
(21:54) You consult and coach, correct?
(28:47) Where can we go to learn about you and what you do?
(29:26) What about your books? Where can we go for those?
Alison Mullins
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisonmullins/
https://www.facebook.com/alisonlearva
https://www.facebook.com/repmethods/
https://www.instagram.com/repmethods/
Virginia Purnell
Funnel & Visibility Specialist
Distinct Digital Marketing
(833) 762-5336
virginia@distinctdigitalmarketing.com
