Justin Vandenbrink
President, Mercenary Sales
Host:
Melissa Aarskaug
Executive Connect: https://www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveConnect
Episode Overview:
From the icy oil fields of Canada to high-stakes meetings in Houston boardrooms, Justin Vandenbrink has lived the full spectrum of the energy business. In this episode, he joins host Melissa Aarskaug to talk about making bold career pivots, building trust-first sales relationships, and leading yourself like a CEO—even when you’re not one yet. Learn how the best salespeople in upstream oil & gas aren’t “closing deals”—they’re solving problems. Plus, hear Justin’s take on balancing hustle with mental wellness and why the future of energy work might not include full-time jobs at all.
Timestamps:
00:00 – From Geologist to CEO Whisperer
05:00 – Taking the Leap: Canada to Houston
07:00 – Sales Isn’t Selling—It’s Strategy
11:00 – Navigating Tech Shifts & Client Needs
15:00 – High-Trust Selling for High-Stakes Clients
18:00 – Wellness in the Hustle
22:00 – Lead Yourself First
28:00 – When Selling Looks Effortless
32:00 – Rethinking the Sales Process
36:00 – Future of Work in Oil & Gas
Connect With Us:
Podcast Website: https://www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveConnect
Social:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-aarskaug/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melissa_aarskaug
X: https://x.com/melissaaarskaug
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