Q&A: Meet Guideline’s Sales Team

Helping people work towards a more prosperous future is at the heart of what we do at Guideline. This mission is fueled by creativity, collaboration, and curiosity. No one understands this more than our talented sales team. We sat down with four of our team members to ask what keeps them motivated, what they’ve learned, and what it means to be successful at Guideline.

Lauren Butts, Sales Leader, Sales Development Academy

Why did you choose to come to Guideline?

I had recently moved to Portland and was excited to start my career. I knew I was looking for an environment where I would be challenged daily, a team culture that would help turn my colleagues into close friends, and a company mission that I felt strongly about. I knew if these three things aligned, work wouldn’t feel like it was just a job, but rather an exciting part of my life.

As soon as I went through my first few interviews with Guideline, I knew it was the place for me. Not only did it check the main criteria I was searching for, but it offered so much more. Three years later, that feeling has only gotten stronger.

What’s your favorite part about working at Guideline?

The people. My coworkers are the foundation of all the things I love about working here, especially the collaboration and the supportive and team-oriented atmosphere. There’s a shared drive to always be better. Without the amazing team we have here, none of the rest of this would be possible.

How has working at Guideline helped you grow professionally and personally?

I’ve learned a lot here, but one of the key tips I keep with me is that it’s good to be uncomfortable. Being uncomfortable allows you to realize you’re capable of so much more than you thought. It allows you to take advantage of amazing opportunities you might’ve shied away from otherwise.

Adam Fooksa, Senior Sales Leader, Sales Development Academy

How long have you been at Guideline?

I’ve been at Guideline for almost 4 years and love every minute of it.

What does "retirement for all" mean to you?

To me, retirement for all means that everyone deserves the opportunity to have a retirement they can look forward to, not just people who work for big fancy companies. After a lifetime of work, people should have the access and opportunity to contribute to a retirement that actually works for them, not their 401(k) provider.

How would you describe Guideline culture?

Guideline’s culture is collaborative, kind, mission-oriented, growth-focused, and respectful — and with that comes high expectations. Everyone’s voices are heard here, and some of the best ideas come from the places you’d least expect.

Henry Kazan, Sales Development Representative, Sales Development Academy

What’s your favorite part about working at Guideline?

My favorite part of working at Guideline is collaborating with my colleagues. Whether it be a team member or someone from a different department, everyone is engaged, supportive, and kind. The people I’ve worked with here have absolutely made me better both personally and professionally, and I hope I’ve had a similar impact on others.

Why did you choose to come to Guideline?

I chose Guideline because I felt motivated by the problem the product addresses. I’m very interested in socioeconomics, and the retirement crisis is a very under-recognized but significant issue in our country. Guideline’s approach to supporting underserved small and medium-sized businesses could help so many people, and I'm excited to see our impact continue to grow.

What does being driven mean to you?

To me, being driven means that you’re consistently able to push yourself. It’s encapsulated by Guideline’s growth mindset, in that we’re always looking for ways to improve and be more efficient and effective. Learning to adopt a growth mindset for myself has been a very key benefit of working here, and I’ve tried to apply it to both my personal and professional life.

Evan Zullo, Sales Development Representative, Sales Development Academy

What’s your favorite part about working at Guideline?

Absolutely the people and work environment. The culture here at Guideline is collaborative, engaging, fast-paced, and rewarding. Everyone here feels really connected to their work and excited about helping others save for retirement. I’ve learned so much in a short time from working with so many talented and supportive people.

What does helping everyone save for retirement mean to you?

Helping people save for retirement means helping them create the future they want. It means setting aside enough money to do what matters to them the most, whether that's retiring early, living comfortably, or leaving a legacy. Being able to assist in setting up retirement programs for small businesses — and knowing their employees can benefit from it — is very rewarding work.

Why is it important for Guideline employees to be adaptive?

The retirement industry is constantly evolving and moving at a fast pace. There are ever-changing programs, rules, and regulations surrounding retirement plans. Being able to keep up and adapt to these changes with innovation, flexibility, and creativity is crucial for success.

Whether you’re looking to begin a career in sales or you’re passionate about building technological solutions to complex problems, Guideline has exciting career opportunities of all shapes and sizes. Check out our open positions.