From Oil Rigs to Boardrooms: Sales, Strategy & Self-Leadership in Energy

Guest:Justin VandenbrinkPresident, Mercenary SalesHost:Melissa AarskaugExecutive Connect: https://www.executiveconnectpodcast.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveConnectEpisode 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 Whisperer05:00 – Taking the Leap: Canada to Houston07:00 – Sales Isn’t Selling—It’s Strategy11:00 – Navigating Tech Shifts & Client Needs15:00 – High-Trust Selling for High-Stakes Clients18:00 – Wellness in the Hustle22:00 – Lead Yourself First28:00 – When Selling Looks Effortless32:00 – Rethinking the Sales Process36:00 – Future of Work in Oil & GasConnect With Us:Podcast Website: https://www.executiveconnectpodcast.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveConnectSocial:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-aarskaug/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melissa_aarskaugX: https://x.com/melissaaarskaug