Impel’s Employee Spotlight Series highlights a member of our incredible team each month, giving you an authentic and behind-the-scenes look at our culture. The Impel team is comprised of musicians, foodies, avid animal lovers, athletes, and more – and their energy, grit, and curiosity are what make Impel successful. This month, we’re introducing you to Thiel Valdes (or “TV” as he’s known around the office), Regional Sales Manager.
Tell us about your role at Impel.
I am a Regional Sales Manager, which means I am responsible for bringing new dealerships aboard Impel’s merchandising platform. I build relationships with automotive dealers to help solve certain problems they are facing and drive performance through the implementation of our products.
Which core value resonates the most with you?
I love all of our core values because they really resonate with me and the entire company. If I were to choose one, I think Grit would be the one that resonates with me the most. I believe one of the biggest attributes of a sales professional is persistence. As Ben Franklin said, “Energy and persistence conquer all things.”
What energizes you about what you do?
The constant change. I love moving a million miles a minute. With Impel constantly releasing new exciting products, being on the road to meet dealers, and not knowing what exciting new things are coming around the corner, I’m constantly energized by the work around me.
Describe Impel in three words.
Fast, Nimble and Assertive.
You have your own small business outside of your role at Impel. Can you tell us about Low Tide Corals and how it came to be?
Long story short, I have always had fish tanks since I was a young kid growing up in Cuba and I wanted to be a marine biologist. As time went on, I took a long break from owning any fish tanks until after graduating college and starting my career. After becoming friends with a local fish store owner, he pushed me to get a small saltwater fish tank and the rest is history. I saw an opportunity for aquacultured corals given all the environmental issues happening around the world. And just like that, Low Tide Corals will soon be four years in operation! LTC was born on the back of a napkin in South Carolina at the beach and now we are positioned for continued growth and expansion.
If you had $10,000 to donate to a charity, which would you choose? Why?
Compassion International would be the charity I would love to give $10,000 to. I have sponsored a child for about six years now. Her name is Lourdes and she lives in Haiti. She is eight years old and very sweet. I come from an impoverished background and I am living the “American Dream” now, so I am a big fan of extending a hand and helping out to others.
What’s something on your bucket list that you haven’t had the opportunity to experience yet?
Learn to surf and hit some waves in Indonesia and, of course, scuba the coral reefs!
TV truly defines “grit” in his everyday role on our Acquisition Sales team. You can always count on him for a cheerful “good morning” greeting, a helping hand around the office, and his can-do attitude. Follow us on the Impel Facebook and Impel Instagram pages for updates. You won’t want to miss next month’s spotlight on Mariam Matiashvili, AI Conversation Design Team Lead.
