Founder Mornings - How to have better Startup Sales Conversations

You don’t need a sales background to be great at founder-led B2B sales - just better conversations.

In this candid and practical morning session, [Matt Ainsworth] (Startup Today host) will break down the essentials of sales that don’t feel like selling.

Perfect for founders, PMs, or anyone navigating early traction, pilot offers, or tricky client convos.

Host: Matt Ainsworth from Tekkon
Format: Networking, 30s Audience Self-plug opportunity, then 30–45 min Talk + Q&A, then final mingling
Location: Tech Central @ Stone and Chalk - Level 1, 477 Pitt Street

Don't forget to grab your FREE coffee on the way up from OL Espresso Bar on the ground floor (on us!), just below Stone and Chalk.

What You’ll Learn:
- Why the best sales start by helping-not closing: Reframe sales as service. Learn how solving problems builds trust (and traction) faster than any pitch deck.
- How to ask open questions that uncover real needs: Use simple, powerful prompts to get prospects talking - and discover the challenges they actually care about.
- What active listening really looks like in a sales chat: Go beyond nodding. You’ll learn how to listen with intent, reflect back clearly, and guide the conversation by saying less.
- Why referrals matter more than you think - and how to ask without being awkward: Even if someone says “no,” the right follow-up can lead to unexpected intros. We’ll show you how to make the ask feel natural.
- How to make every conversation valuable - even if they never buy:
Discover the long-game approach: how to build trust, credibility, and momentum through conversations that compound over time.

How the event will go:
7:30-7:50 We kick-off with some open networking as we get setup
7:50-8:00 We'll sit down and is a chance for people to introduce themselves and what they're working on
8:00-8:40 Talk + Q&A
8:45 ~ Final mingling, clean-up then close

Whether you’re trying to land your first customers, pitch your product at meetups, or just get better at explaining what you do - this is a no-pressure session for real-world startup selling.

Coffee on us - just say you're here for the Startup Today - Founder Mornings event at OL (Office Lobby) Espresso Bar for your free coffee. They are located on the first floor, directly under Stone and Chalk level 1.

Look forward to having you join us!