EPISODE #113
🎙 From Super Yachts to Tech Sales: Joel’s Unconventional Journey
Guest: Joel Pearlman, Senior Business Development Manager @ Riverside.fm
💡 Summary
In this episode of the SDR DiscoCall Show, Neil Bhuiyan chats with Joel Pearlman — a former construction worker turned tech seller, whose journey took him from the super yacht industry to the fast-paced tech scene of Tel Aviv.
Joel shares what it was like job-hunting after the 2008 financial crisis, breaking into sales later in life, and how mindset, community, and self-belief helped him push past imposter syndrome and thrive in tech.
This is a story for anyone who’s taken the scenic route into sales — and found growth along the way.
🔥 Key Takeaways
- Career transitions can come from unexpected life moments
- The 2008 financial crisis forced reinvention for many
- Sales is stressful — but mindset and support make the difference
- Israel’s tech scene is fast, direct, and heavily network-driven
- Experience often outweighs formal education in hiring decisions
- The super yacht industry taught Joel about pressure and precision
- Asking questions is a powerful early-career habit
- Imposter syndrome is common — apply anyway
- Growth comes through discomfort and persistence
🕒 Timestamps
- 00:00 – Introduction to the SDR DiscoCall Show
- 02:56 – From Construction to Tech Sales
- 11:02 – Navigating Career Changes and the Job Market
- 14:49 – Life on the French Riviera: Working on Super Yachts
- 17:27 – Positive Mindset in Challenging Times
- 21:50 – When You Know It’s Time for Change
- 24:18 – COVID and Career Reset Moments
- 27:36 – Jealousy and the Allure of Tech
- 29:27 – Breaking into the Tel Aviv Tech Scene
- 31:41 – Overcoming Limiting Beliefs
- 33:28 – Managing Stress and Expectations
- 37:22 – Sales as a Human Connection
- 40:07 – Learning Through Experience
- 43:38 – Joel’s Advice to His Younger Self
🎙 Soundbites
- "Things happen for a reason."
- "It’s a roller coaster of emotions."
- "You have to let go of the expectation."
🔗 Guest Links
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