Julie Hansen is an author, consultant, and speaker whose book ACT Like a Sales Pro was published in August 2011 and quickly became the #1 Hot New Release in Sales and Selling on Amazon and a Top 60 New Business Book. Julie combines her passion for acting with her sales background to share an innovative approach of applying strategic acting and improv techniques in business to sell quickly and effectively. She is the founder of Acting for Sales and on the expert contributor panel of Entrepreneur Magazine’s new publication for sales managers and leaders as well as featured columnist for Colorado Business Magazine.

Here’s Julie Hansen’s True Calling™ Success Story:

I grew up in Denver, and when I began working in sales, I quickly learned that I wasn’t quite as extroverted—or as confident—as some of my coworkers. I thought it would be a good idea to try out some acting classes to help me boost my communication skills and confidence. It worked, and I caught the acting bug even though I didn’t realize right away how my new interest would continue to influence my approach to business long after those first classes were over.

I followed my passion for acting to New York City, where I did commercial work, plays, and some television acting while working as the sales director for two major magazines. But eventually, I returned to Denver and began selling real estate. After some time, I realized I wasn’t sure where to go in sales, and I was at a crossroads in my life personally and professionally. I wasn’t satisfied with my career, and I hadn’t done any acting in six years. A friend who is a professional recruiter suggested I talk with Nathan Teegarden for professional advice.

When I first met with Nathan, I thought maybe he would help me figure out where to sell next. But instead, he helped me remember my love of acting, and he helped me expand my vision. Nathan immediately saw the connection between my sales background and my acting experience. He thought there was something worth exploring about bringing those two things together.

Nathan and I met weekly, and then biweekly, for about a year, and during that time our conversations helped me develop many of the ideas that are a part of my new book ACT Like a Sales Pro. Working with Nathan through this time opened up a whole new world for me professionally because he challenged me to think beyond what I could have planned for myself. He wouldn’t accept my discouragement and was a positive ally throughout the process of writing the book.

But even beyond the book, Nathan helped me expand my vision to see that I could start a new career based on combining my business skills and experience with the things I love. I’m now busy with writing, speaking, and training—essentially sharing with businesses how acting and improv techniques can help them be more effective.

I didn’t expect any of this when I first met with Nathan, and I certainly didn’t expect to see myself back into acting. But working with him triggered my desire to reconnect with this lost interest, and when I went to an audition in Denver after many years off the stage, I got cast for a play. The director enthusiastically welcomed me back to theater, and now I have the chance to combine this joy with my career. That’s something I never would have predicted.