EPISODE #127

 
 

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#127 The SDR DiscoCall Show – Connor Grimes

Host: Neil Bhuiyan  |  Guest: Connor Grimes (formerly Business Development Lead @ Willo)

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Release: Tues 31st Mar 2026 @ 08:00 AM UK GMT

Summary

In this episode of the SDR DiscoCall Show, Neil Bhuiyan sits down with Connor Grimes to explore a sales journey that didn’t start in tech and didn’t follow a straight line.

From pubs and retail to fuel sales and eventually tech, Connor shares how he learned through experience, early success, and the challenges that came with it.

He opens up about the realities of sales performance, leadership, and the personal mistakes that forced him to reset and grow.

This is a conversation about accountability, resilience and figuring things out as you go.

At the time of recording, Connor was Business Development Lead at Willo and has since moved on to a new role.

Listener Discretion: This episode includes discussion around alcohol, personal mistakes and their impact on professional life.

About This Episode

Episode 127 of the SDR DiscoCall Show features Connor Grimes, a sales professional with experience across retail, fuel sales and tech sales. In conversation with host Neil Bhuiyan, Connor shares how his career developed through real-world experience rather than a traditional path into SaaS.

The episode explores early sales environments, including high-pressure roles in fuel sales where performance, resilience and communication were built quickly. Connor reflects on how learning from top performers and asking the right questions helped accelerate his results.

A key theme in this conversation is accountability. Connor speaks openly about challenges faced throughout his career, including leadership pressures and the impact of personal habits on professionalism, and how those moments led to reflection and change.

The discussion also covers the transition into tech sales, the shift from volume to quality, and the importance of understanding the SDR role, particularly for recruiters and hiring teams looking to build effective sales organisations.

Listeners interested in SDR careers, tech sales, hiring and personal development will find practical insights in this episode, including lessons on resilience, growth and building a sustainable career in sales.

Key Takeaways

  • Sales careers often begin outside of tech and evolve through experience
  • Early environments shape resilience, performance and mindset
  • Learning from top performers accelerates growth
  • Early success can build confidence and motivation
  • Leadership introduces new challenges beyond individual performance
  • Personal mistakes can become turning points for growth
  • Transitioning into tech sales requires a shift from volume to quality
  • Understanding the SDR role improves hiring and team performance
  • Strong relationships across teams support long-term success

Chapters & Timestamps

  • 00:00 – Introduction to Sales Development
  • 01:16 – Meet Connor Grimes: A Sales Dad’s Journey
  • 04:23 – Connor’s Career Path from Retail to Sales
  • 11:00 – First Taste of Sales Success
  • 17:13 – Challenges in Sales Leadership
  • 17:54 – Work-Life Balance During Lockdown
  • 22:00 – Transitioning from Fuel Sales to Recruitment
  • 27:57 – The Leap into Tech Sales
  • 30:38 – Quality Over Quantity in Sales
  • 33:16 – Alcohol, Professionalism and Consequences
  • 37:53 – Learning from Mistakes
  • 40:14 – Finding Redemption and New Opportunities
  • 44:43 – Alcohol and Workplace Relationships
  • 50:25 – Advice for New Sales Professionals
  • 56:38 – Understanding the SDR Role
  • 01:02:43 – Key Lessons for a Young Salesperson

Soundbites

“Ask questions and build relationships in sales”
“I still have a lot of love for Leeds”
“I’m an Arsenal Gooner by choice”

Guest Links

 
Season 13Marketing Team