DataGrail’s Employee Spotlight series highlights the person behind the professional, digging deep and discovering what drives our team members.
This week’s spotlight features Brad Cogswell, our newest Account Executive. Brad previously worked in Sales and Account Relationship roles at ToutApp. Brad also has professional experience in real estate investments and equity.
What excites you about joining DataGrail’s team?
After doing some consulting work with DataGrail over the past several months I was really impressed with the team and their mission in the privacy space. I’ve worked in various capacities with a couple of the engineers as well as Daniel Barber, the CEO and Co-founder. Daniel hired me for my first SaaS sales role several years ago, and with that familiarity comes the ability to hit the ground running really quickly. We’ve eliminated one of the tougher variables in early stage sales orgs: we know we work well together and are therefore able to concentrate our time on our go-to-market strategy.
Given the privacy regulation that has come out and is coming out over the next couple years, it’s exciting to sell a product that is truly a necessity for organizations as opposed to just “nice to have”. There aren’t many opportunities to get started early in companies that are solving real problems. The combination of the people at DataGrail, the value the product provides, and the potential market for DataGrail makes this a really exciting opportunity.
What inspires you to get up in the morning?
There is a dog that jumps on my bed and jabs her elbow into my stomach at the first sign of light. That provides more than enough inspiration to meet the day!
How do you motivate yourself throughout each part of the sales cycle?
Finding motivation in sales isn’t something that I’ve ever struggled with. In fact, throughout my career, the times that I’ve had to find ways to motivate myself were the times that I realized I wasn’t in the right spot professionally. For me, the process is what keeps me motivated, as it’s something I genuinely enjoy. I enjoy working with prospects and customers to provide value and find them the right solutions, I enjoy constant iteration on my sales process in order to be better, I enjoy the competitive aspect of being on a sales team. All of those things makes the sales process fun for me and what provides the daily motivation.
How have you built your skills and grown your career? What new opportunities are present at DataGrail?
My career has been anything but linear… I started in real estate investment banking, went and built a CrossFit gym in Thailand, built an ecommerce store, and then got into the tech world several years ago. I’ve constantly put myself in positions where I’m forced to learn quickly in order to be successful. I can’t remember who created this analogy, but at each point in my career I’ve made it a point to add different “tools” to my personal toolbelt, and as I look back at each of those experiences I can pick the skill or two that I built and now carry with me as I start this new role.
At DataGrail, I’m looking forward to having the opportunity to shape the direction of an early stage privacy organization. While I know I love selling, part of my responsibility will be helping to create the playbook as we scale the team. That’s something I haven’t been a part of before and I’m looking forward to it.
Where do you see yourself five years from now?
Running my own real estate investment company.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Backpacking is my escape. We’ve got a crew that regularly explores the John Muir Wilderness, Desolation Wilderness, Sierras, etc. Great opportunity to disconnect and enjoy California.
Brad at the Golden Gate Bridge
Enjoy this piece? Check out our previous spotlight, featuring Carol Tang, Head of Marketing!