When the coronavirus first hit Washington early last year, George Harrison had just celebrated his first anniversary as a sales executive with Seattle’s family-owned PackageIt. Driven to overcome adversity, George was undeterred by the shutdown restrictions. Instead, he adapted to the state’s safety precautions and dove headlong into the new business environment.
“I knew my clients would need imaginative packaging and shipping solutions to weather the stressful economy,” he remembers. “I love a challenge and began ‘thinking outside the box’ to deliver the best solutions at the best prices.” With a degree in graphic design, a background in marketing and experience selling printed paper goods, George approached PackageIt’s move to remote sales management as an opportunity. Since last spring, he’s spent most workdays helping clients reconfigure their purchasing strategies and identifying affordable pricing to save them money.
As George’s clients recovered from the shutdown and adapted to their new business flow, he provided them with competitive deals on items like PPE, cleaning supplies and disinfection stations. According to Operations Manager Bill Gunning, George and his sales teammates also offer clients budget-friendly alternatives to cost-prohibitive custom packaging supplies.
“Small businesses with smaller budgets and larger businesses still rebounding from economic stress can exchange more costly, custom-printed cartons and boxes for something less expensive. We provide them with proven options for personalizing and protecting e-commerce shipments on tighter budgets,” Gunning says. “George helps clients work within their finances to increase brand visibility with affordable packaging supplies. For example, adding small touches like printed tape or greeting card enclosures can help customize shipments at a lower price point.”
Before PackageIt: A Foundation in Customer Service
Before PackageIt: A Foundation in Customer Service
George came to PackageIt from Las Vegas, NV, where he worked in many retail, sales and management positions. “For most of my working life, I have held two jobs at a time. I started in fast food; then I sold cars and worked in retail sales. More recently, I managed a secret shopper service,” he said. “In all my jobs, I’ve always had a strong work ethic—and I learned to build long-term relationships with clients without using pushy sales tactics. High-pressure sales don’t produce good results, so I work hard to show clients the real advantages of working with a family-owned, local company like PackageIt.”
Future Plans, Goals & Aspirations
In his work and personal life, George manages his priorities by setting ambitious goals. He exceeded his 2020 professional objective, adding the most new clients to his roster and winning a PackageIt award. This year, he’s raising the bar. “In 2021, I not only want to add the most clients; I also want to be one of our company’s top-three sales producers. It’s a tough goal, but I’m working hard to achieve it because I enjoy my job—and I want to ensure my family’s security, too.”
On the home front, George and his wife are first-time parents learning to juggle jobs and family time. “We’ve stayed home as much as possible during the pandemic to keep the baby healthy,” he says. “It has given me a lot of time to cook, which I love. My wife is a working mom, so I take care of weeknight meals. I like to experiment with a little of everything: Thai, Mexican, Chinese and Italian.”
The PackageIt Difference
George has worked in many business environments, but he says they don’t compare to the atmosphere at PackageIt. “We are really a tight-knit family,” he says. “Everyone is understanding and willing to help. The owner even helped train me. I felt like he recognized my potential and wanted to give me the benefit of his experience.”
According to Teresa Kalista, PackageIt’s sales manager, George is a proven asset to her sales team. “George joined us almost two years ago after relocating to Seattle from Las Vegas. He brought with him experience in custom printing, which fits well with our customers and products. His energy and interest in all aspects of packaging are also a plus as we work together.”
Begin Your PackageIt Partnership Today
When you need the best packaging value for your money, PackageIt’s sales team delivers. With less direct customer access, it’s more important than ever to boost brand visibility.
Custom tapes, bags and boxes printed with your logo make products instantly recognizable while impressing first-time customers, and PackageIt works within your budget to achieve your goals.
Learn more by connecting with a PackageIt sales representative:
888.743.0907. For your convenience, you can also
request an estimate 24/7 online.
