Confessions of a Pregnant Sales Rep
Out of options I had to wrap up the meeting pronto and make a run for it
This tell all Tuesday tale is a throwback to when I used to be a sales representative for a hotel group and where schmoozing and networking with contacts was paramount to retaining clients and gaining a greater business share of hotel rooms used by their organisation.
On this particular day in question I was feeling a bit ropey and green around the gils ( and that’s putting it mildly), I was still very much within the early days of pregnancy and it was still very much on a need to know basis for close family and my boss as to who was aware of the fact that I was struggling with morning sickness ( whilst still to this day wondering why it’s called morning sickness when in fact you can feel sick and be sick pretty much any time of day or night.)
I worked for a hotel group of 4* hotels and was based within the West Sussex location and primarily sold the two hotels within that area although we had a points based card system that clients could use at any of the hotels which entitled them to discounts and this was a good way to bring people on board in a more gentle way that worked for them and that allowed us as a business to showcase who we were and what we were about.
My role was to visit those commercial businesses whom would be likely to book rooms on behalf of those that would be using them within their organisation, so, I spent time networking with said individuals at their places of work, inviting them in for tours, lunches and building relationships etc (the old fashioned way as social and online interaction wasn’t a thing back then).
On this particular day in question I was visiting a big games company client in Surrey and admiring the facilities they offered within, such as; restaurants, a games shop and a dedicated area where staff could test out games too. It was at this time (talk about poor timing) that I started to sense my nausea was becoming so much more than just an unsettled feeling and I grew hot and somewhat flustered on the inside.
On the outside however (or so I thought) I remained swan like and calm and seemingly merrily chatting to my client when I realised a swift exit would instantly be required.
I wrapped up the meeting in the best and most professional way I could and started to walk as fast as I could without drawing attention to myself in the big, open reception/ hybrid working area and once safely beyond reception and a final goodbye to my client with the best smile I could muster — I swept as fast as my legs could carry me to the car.
You see, I couldn’t spy a toilet close enough and didn’t want to raise suspicion with my contact so thought the car was my only option — upon reaching the car I grabbed a plastic bag (that’s all I had) and proceeded to be very unwell and waited until I could drive again back to the office which was around 40 minutes away.
I realise in the years that have passed that I could have discreetly mentioned my predicament to my client as I’m sure they would have understood but not wanting to jinx those early pregnancy days I didn’t feel that was a choice then and I could have contacted said person sometime after to proffer an explanation — but I didn’t do that either as I wanted to remain professional.
Thank goodness for the plastic bag in the car and thank goodness for confessions of typing and saving face without actually having to show your face.
Do you have a confession or story from your business life you want to share?
Pop your stories and thoughts below or send me a direct message if you want to share yours anonymously.
When We Work Together We Grow Together
I always greatly value you and your thoughts as we grow together as a community — share with me your stories, tales and thinking out loud comments below or ideas you’d like me to cover (questions welcome).
The Copy Shop
For more copywriting hacks, consultancy thinking, Tuesday tell all tales, stories, behind the copy curtain approaches, insights, creative flare, know-how tips, random/historical facts and book/film recommendations — why not sign up to instantly receive all future lengthy thoughts where you can share your copy headaches & business content challenges with me Amber Smith at Simply Amber Lou Business Copywriting Services here in the comments along with what podcasts you’re hungry to listen to at the moment and what you are digesting in terms of reading be that non-fiction or fiction books right now.
You can also find and connect with me on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
About Simply Amber Lou
Simply Amber Lou business copywriting services was founded by Amber Smith and is the home of business copywriting, content writing, course creation, copy power hours, guided business copy teaching programmes, notebook designs and writing consultancy.
Our aim is to help business leaders, entrepreneurs and directors to define their online voice and grow their audiences by writing sharp, smart and captivating content with a strategic approach and over 20 years of professional business expertise.