Colin Yearwood once viewed sales with skepticism and even a bit of fear. Growing up with an entrepreneurial spirit, he had tried various ventures from shoveling snow in Brooklyn to selling Beanie Babies on eBay.
But, he consistently hesitated when it came to closing deals. Like many others, Colin associated sales with manipulation, pressure and pushy tactics.
“I hated selling,” Colin said. “I always had an entrepreneurial spirit, but I would give things away rather than go through the sales process.”
That mindset began to shift when a mentor told him bluntly that, if he wanted to be self-employed, he needed to learn how to sell.
Colin realized the root of his resistance was a flawed understanding of what selling really was. Once he embraced the idea that selling was simply helping people to make good decisions, everything changed.
“Sales became exciting when I saw it as a way to help people get the results they want,” Colin said. “When you believe in what you’re offering, selling becomes a way to create a different future, not just for you, but for the people you serve as well.”
Selling is a life skill, not just a business tactic
Colin sees sales as an essential life skill that goes far beyond product pitches or business development.
“Sales is communication, influence and persuasion, but for good,” he explained. “You use it every day whether you realize it or not. You sell your ideas in meetings, you sell your vision to your spouse or your children, and you sell yourself in job interviews.”
He believes that by learning to sell with authenticity, people can become better communicators, build stronger relationships, and even become better parents or spouses.
“I use sales skills in my home with my kids all the time,” Colin explained. “It helps me communicate clearly and in a way that supports them.”
The idea that selling is about manipulation is one of the biggest misconceptions Colin works to overcome in his clients. He encourages people to stop seeing sales as something dirty or uncomfortable, and start viewing it as an extension of who they are at their best – curious, generous and service-minded.
The power of being yourself
Instead of relying on scripts and rigid sales techniques, Colin helps people lean into their natural personality and values. His signature training program is called “How to Sell by Being Yourself.”
“When you’re aligned with your own core beliefs and you understand the value you bring to the world, you don’t need to pretend to be someone you’re not,” he said. “That authenticity builds trust and makes the sales process feel good, not just for you, but for the other people, too.”
Colin also stresses that you don’t have to be an extrovert to succeed in sales. In fact, he noted that many introverts perform better in sales settings because they are often better listeners and more process-oriented.
He teaches his clients to lean into their natural strengths rather than trying to fit a mold.
The Sales Coaching Gym
Colin’s flagship program, the “Sales Coaching Gym,” was launched shortly after he turned 51. The idea behind the name conveys the idea that sales is a muscle which needs to be worked and refined through consistent practice.
“Just like going to the gym to strengthen your body, you need a place where you can strengthen your confidence and technique in sales,” Colin said.
The “Sales Coaching Gym” provides a mix of group training, one-on-one coaching, role-play exercises and personalized feedback. The goal is to help people prepare for real-world conversations in a supportive environment where they can experiment, fail, adjust, improve and succeed.
Clients are encouraged to bring their questions, objections and fears to the table. Colin works with them not just on what to say, but how to think. He focuses heavily on mindset by helping people identify and dismantle the limiting beliefs that often sabotage their success before a conversation even begins.
“A lot of people come to me thinking they need more scripts or tactics, but what they really need is more belief in themselves and in the value they offer,” he said. “Once we work through those internal roadblocks, everything else falls into place.”
Selling with integrity
A key part of Colin’s approach is honoring the integrity of the sales process. Rather than focusing on high-pressure closings, he teaches his clients how to “enroll” people instead.
“There’s a big difference between closing someone and enrolling someone,” he explained. “Closing is about the transaction. Enrolling is about helping someone move forward in a way that truly benefits them.”
Colin’s clients come from a wide range of backgrounds, but most are coaches, consultants, course creators or small business owners. Some are already established, while others are just beginning to build their businesses.
No matter their stage, Colin brings a deep respect for each person’s journey and a genuine desire to help them reach the next level. That might involve helping them overcome objections, refine their messaging or simply believe they are capable of building something meaningful.
Creating purpose after 50
Although Colin had years of business and sales experience under his belt, he found a deeper sense of purpose after turning 50.
He felt a strong calling to help others create the kind of life they truly wanted to live, especially people in midlife who may have put their dreams on hold for too long.
“At 50, something shifted,” he said. “There was a new level of certainty and purpose. I saw that sales could be the vehicle I used to help people pursue their calling, grow their businesses or improve their lives.”
Many of Colin’s clients are in their 40s, 50s or 60s. Some are starting something new after decades in other careers. Others are pivoting to pursue work that is more meaningful. Colin finds great joy in walking alongside them on that journey.
“Selling is just the entry point,” he said. “What we’re really doing is unlocking people’s potential.”
Advice for others in midlife
For people over 50 who are searching for purpose or struggling to believe they still have something to contribute, Colin offered some heartfelt advice.
“Start by being honest with yourself,” he said. “If it was possible to do anything you wanted, what would that be? Start taking baby steps toward it. You don’t have to leap. Just move forward, even if it is slowly at first.”
Colin also encourages people to work from the inside out. That means acknowledging the fears, beliefs and emotional roadblocks that may be standing in the way of pursuing a new path.
“Many of us base our value on what we’ve done for others, such as our kids, spouse or employer,” Colin said. “But your fulfillment matters too. You’re allowed to want more, and you’re allowed to grow.”
A mission of service and connection
Colin’s mission today is to help people succeed in sales, not by turning them into someone else, but by helping them become more of who they really are. He helps people build confidence, communicate with clarity, and take purposeful action in their lives and businesses.
He also believes in the power of connection and regularly invites people to reach out just for a conversation.
“I’m always open to a connection call,” he said. “No pressure, no pitch. Just a real conversation to see how I can support you or introduce you to the right people.”
For more information
People can connect with Collin at:
- Website = www.colinyearwood.com
- LinkedIn = www.linkedin.com/in/yearwood
- Facebook = www.facebook.com/colincyearwood
- YouTube = www.youtube.com/@ColinCYearwood
For information about Colin’s flagship coaching program, check out the Sales Coaching Gym.
