How Jalene Taylor Turned a Seasonal Photography Career into Year-Round Sales Success

Before joining USA Containers, Jalene Taylor spent 15 years behind the camera as a professional photographer. Twelve of those years were in the wedding industry, where she was hired for up to 30 events a year, often juggling engagement sessions, bridal portraits, and high-pressure wedding day shoots.

As much as she loved capturing these once-in-a-lifetime moments, wedding photography required a lot of her time. Eventually, she shifted her focus to family photography, which allowed her to have a creative outlet while scaling back her workload, but she continued to look for other ways to support her family since photography in Utah is semi-seasonal.

Stepping Into the Shipping Container World

In January, after a conversation with company founder Andrei Popa, Jalene joined USA Containers. At the time, she knew nothing about shipping containers, but in just six months, she sold approximately 100 units, averaging one sale every two to three days.

Her approach from the beginning was to go all in. She set a goal for herself of selling one container per day. Although she has not yet reached that goal, her results and reputation speak for themselves.

The Power of People and Networking

Jalene’s strength is her ability to connect with people. Some of her biggest sales have come from her personal network, including a friend from a Utah Jazz game, a former hairstylist, old neighbors, and local business owners.

She uses Facebook Marketplace and KSL to find leads, but she also understands the value of letting friends, family, and acquaintances know what she does. Many sales have come months after the first conversation, with her persistence and professionalism turning long-term prospects into paying customers.

Sales Strategies and Creative Solutions

Her sales process blends modern marketing with relationship building. She has experimented with paid ads, creative videos featuring goats, multiple Facebook accounts for broader reach, and finding creative solutions for customers with unique needs. One example was turning four smaller containers into a functional alternative when a single specialty unit was not available.

Her wedding industry background taught her to manage timelines, anticipate needs, and ensure clients feel cared for. She now applies those same skills to her sales job at USA Containers, following up after deliveries and making sure customers are happy long after the sale.

Balancing Business and Family

In addition to balancing her photography and sales jobs, Jalene manages a busy household. She also rents out her home for corporate photoshoots and lists her car on Turo. Her days are full, but she thrives on staying organized and managing multiple income streams.

Advice for New Sales Agents

Jalene advises new agents to stay organized from the very beginning. Leads can pile up quickly, and keeping track of conversations on platforms like Facebook Marketplace can be challenging. She recommends finding a reliable system to track potential customers and following up consistently.

More Than Just a Job

For Jalene, joining USA Containers has been more than just a new job. It’s allowed her to use her people skills, creative marketing ideas, and strong work ethic to thrive in the shipping container industry. Her success is a testament to embracing change with confidence.

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