Professional Sales Academy

Owner: Will Holt

Address: 115 N. Dixieland Road,

Rogers 72758

Phone: 501-621-8654

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-

Friday and by appointment

Start-up date: June 1

Email address: [email protected]

Making the killer sale often requires more than a flattering tone of voice and a convincing smile. Professional Sales Academy now offers classes to teach people in Northwest Arkansas how to become better sales representatives.

Cost of the classes begins at $795, and the school offers several levels of sales techniques. Will Holt started the school after working as general manager for Budget Rent-A-Car, a division of Lewis Automotive Group.

Holt said he watched a stream of people come through jobs at the auto dealer with little or no sales training. After witnessing sale after sale lost because the salesperson lacked instruction, Holt opened Professional Sales Academy. Housed in 3,000 SF, the school cost about $20,000 to start, including printing several workbooks.

Quality schooling gives a solution to auto sales staff, but the sales training is not limited to any sector. Anyone from Wal-Mart vendors to unemployed people can take advantage of the classes, Holt said.

Bilingual workers are high on Holt’s wish list as he continues to fill positions in Springdale. In addition to training, the school also offers students job placement and one year of follow-up training.