As I learned more about Seth Coletti’s journey, I wanted to understand how he went from selling boats while in college to becoming a national sales manager before turning 30.

Seth’s path was not simple or carefully mapped out. He worked multiple jobs, paid his own way through college, experienced layoffs, and stepped into roles with limited training and support.

What kept him moving forward was his strong work ethic, commitment to learning, and willingness to create opportunities rather than wait for them.

Building a Sales Career During College

Seth was a first-generation college student who had to pay for school, housing, and daily expenses himself.

He started as a cashier before finding an opportunity to sell boats. He had no sales experience and received almost no training. He was placed on the sales floor and expected to figure things out.

Seth learned everything he could about the products, the customers, and how he could provide value. He eventually became one of the top representatives in the country while attending college full-time and working other jobs.

Even with that success, money was tight. There were days when he sold several boats but still could not afford a drink from the vending machine.

What kept him moving was the belief that his work would eventually create a better future.

Breaking Into Medical Device Sales

Seth originally considered physical therapy because he had always felt connected to healthcare. After undergoing four spine surgeries himself, he understood what it meant to be a patient.

When he discovered medical device sales, he saw a way to combine healthcare with the competitive side of sales.

He began networking before graduating and treated the job search like another full-time responsibility. He did not contact only one or two people. He consistently built relationships and showed companies that he could deliver results.

His boat sales experience was not traditional business-to-business experience, but it proved that he could learn a complex product, connect with customers, and produce revenue.

Learning to Succeed Without Constant Supervision

Seth entered the industry through a large company with a structured training program. However, once he was placed in his territory, he was largely on his own.

He responded by calling successful representatives and learning what worked for them. He listened to podcasts, read books, and continued educating himself after formal training ended.

That helped him become the top representative on his team during his first year.

One of his biggest lessons was that every customer interaction must provide value.

Clinicians have limited time. A representative cannot spend the entire meeting making small talk or delivering a general pitch. Seth focused on understanding what the clinician needed and tailoring the conversation around that need.

Recovering From Layoffs

Seth was laid off more than once, even though he was performing well.

The first layoff was difficult. He worried about his future and how he would support his family. A former manager reminded him that the situation would improve and that one day he might be thankful it happened.

Seth returned to the same habits that helped him enter the industry: networking, building relationships, and staying active.

After his first layoff, he found another role within a month. After the second, he secured a new position within a day.

His experience shows why representatives should continue networking after they enter the industry. The relationships you build can support you throughout your career.

Moving From a Large Company to a Scale-Up

Working for a smaller, growing company was very different from working for an established organization.

There was less structure, limited data, fewer resources, and little formal training. Customers did not automatically recognize the company or trust its product.

Seth had to help build trust in himself, the organization, and the technology.

When he joined, the company had only a few customers in the United States. It later grew to nearly 100 sites.

Without a large marketing budget, the team relied on successful clinical experiences, patient results, advocacy groups, and relationships with clinicians.

Seth enjoyed having a wider impact. He was no longer focused only on selling within one territory. He was helping expand patient access across the country.

Becoming a Young Sales Leader

Seth became a national sales manager at 28.

He earned the opportunity by first becoming excellent at his existing role. He then started handling responsibilities beyond his title before asking for the leadership position.

His age could have been viewed as a limitation, especially when working with experienced clinicians and managing older representatives. He built credibility by knowing the product, understanding the disease state, and continuing his education.

When Seth moved into leadership, he also had to stop making every result about himself.

As a representative, he enjoyed hitting quota and earning recognition. As a manager, his job became helping the team win.

He learned that he could not enter every account and close every deal himself. He needed to coach representatives, understand their goals, set clear expectations, and hold people accountable.

What Seth Looks for When Hiring

Seth is not looking for candidates who simply claim they are hardworking.

He wants them to prove it.

A strong candidate should research the company, understand the product’s value, and explain how they would position it to a clinician. Previous success matters, but candidates must also show how they will succeed in a new role.

At a smaller company, every hire carries significant responsibility. Candidates must be willing to hear “no,” remain persistent, and believe in the product they represent.

Final Thoughts

My conversation with Seth showed me that medical device sales can offer a rare combination of patient impact, competition, professional growth, and strong earning potential. His journey proves that age does not determine your ability to lead, and a setback does not have to end your career. Keep learning, build relationships, provide real value, and do the work before the opportunity arrives. Your path may not look the way you expected, but the difficult steps can still lead you exactly where you need to go.

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All the best,

Jacob McLaughlin

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