Q&A: Joel Sampson, sales manager, Resource

11 September 2017

People

Yorkshire Tea aficionado Joel is 36 and has worked in the industry for the past 14 years, most recently as sales manager at Leeds-based Resource. He is married to Victoria (pictured) and they have two little girls: Hattie who’s one, and Elsie, three. When not running around at work or after his girls, Joel enjoys… running! And golf.

What is your nickname?

I’m the second member of HouzingSquad

Why did you get into printing?

I wanted a career where I could use my technical and personal skills

What would be your dream job?

I’d love to own my own print/marketing company

Who would play you in a movie about your life?

Robert De Niro

What is your dream bit of kit?

I am still waiting for my flying car from Back to the Future

What would you most like to print?

I’ve done a lot of 3D printing so I’d like to see some functional tech printed

What is your favourite TV show?

Luther or Peaky Blinders

Who or what do you hate the most?

I hate late people, working in sales I think it’s rude if you turn up late to meetings or appointments so I am always early

Who do you admire most in print?

My gaffers. I’ve learned so much in the past three years I feel like a totally different person in my working life

What is your favourite saying?

Stop being a pedant

What is your favourite album?

Total Life Forever by Foals

What is your greatest luxury in life?

My family followed by my bed. Cheesy I know but I’d be nothing without the support of my wife and girls, but also I love a good kip as they say in Yorkshire

What is the strangest job you’ve had?

While travelling I worked in a South African seafood restaurant for no wages just tips, it was the weirdest place I’ve every worked at. I lasted one night made £50 and spent the lot on drinks for all the other staff

Most embarrassing moment?

At a client meeting about to do a presentation I bent over to plug in my laptop and ripped my trousers. Luckily I had some cotton and thread so headed off to the toilets for a quick repair

Where would you like to be now?

I am very happy where I am, working at Resource is ace and it’s in my home town Leeds

Who would be your favourite party guests?

King Kenny and Steven Gerrard (Liverpool FC), Steve McQueen, Charlize Theron and Will Smith

What was your childhood obsession?

Lego

What is the worst kind of print?

Cheap leaflet print with no thought behind it

What was the best business deal that you’ve pulled off?

I once landed a £90,000 print job when the average price point was about £500

What advice would you give to your teenage self?

Start working in a profession early on and buy property