Kartik Gulati came to Canada in 2023 as an international student making $15/hour at Tim Hortons. Two years later, he's a Golden Door winner with 466 funded accounts in the alarm industry—one of three Golden Door winners from the same office.

In this episode, Hunter sits down with Kartik to break down his journey from bageling for two weeks after his first sale to hitting 43 accounts in a single month. Kartik shares the pen trick he uses to get inside homes, how he reads facial expressions to separate smoke screens from real objections, and the 20-30 minute daily habit that compounded into Golden Door results.
Books mentioned:

Eat What You Kill by Sam Taggart
The Psychology of Selling by Brian Tracy

Connect with Kartik:
Instagram: @kartik_gulati1108

🎟️ D2DCon 2026 – January 22-24, Salt Lake City

Use code KARTIK20 for 20% off tickets
→ https://d2dcon.com/

#DoorToDoorSales #AlarmSales #GoldenDoor #D2DExperts #SalesTraining

Thank you for listening! Don't miss out on future episodes! Subscribe to The D2D Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. You may also watch this podcast on YouTube!

You may also follow Sam Taggart on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for more nuggets on D2D and Sales Tips.

Andrew Marino left door-to-door sales for five years. He worked for the Utah Jazz, sold SaaS in New York City, even appeared on a Hulu reality show. Then he came back to the industry in April 2025 and won a Golden Door Award by December selling over 900 accounts in the fiber space.

In this episode, Hunter breaks down Andrew's approach to averaging double-digit sales days, his process for qualifying customers quickly, and why he records every failed pitch for feedback.

🎟️ D2DCon 2026 – January 22-24, Sandy Utah

Use code ANDREW20 for 20% off tickets → https://d2dcon.com?el=youtube

Key moments:

00:00 – Introduction & Golden Door stats
04:12 – Andrew's journey from pest control to corporate to fiber
12:30 – The mindset shift that unlocked double-digit days
18:45 – How to identify time vampires and walk away faster
24:20 – Why most reps fail before they even knock
31:15 – Building a business while selling doors
36:40 – Advice for 2026 Golden Door hopefuls

Connect with Andrew:

https://www.instagram.com/andrewmarino_/

#DoorToDoorSales #FiberSales #GoldenDoor #D2DExperts #SalesTraining

Thank you for listening! Don't miss out on future episodes! Subscribe to The D2D Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. You may also watch this podcast on YouTube!

You may also follow Sam Taggart on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for more nuggets on D2D and Sales Tips.

In this episode of The D2D Podcast, Hunter Lee sits down with Justin Brach, CEO of SubcontractorHub, to break down what new and struggling door to door reps often miss about the contracting world. Justin brings nearly two decades of experience building and rescuing large construction organizations.

Justin explains why so many contractors and solar companies collapse when they scale too fast, especially when teams chase volume without understanding cash flow, WIP timelines, and the dangers of becoming asset heavy. He also shares how SubcontractorHub solves this by connecting sales orgs and EPCs into one ecosystem, improving transaction speed and allowing reps to work with multiple installers under one roof.

Reps will hear timely perspectives on AI in sales, why it will never eliminate door to door, and how AI is reshaping permitting, project management, lending, and operational efficiency behind the scenes. Justin breaks down how the most sustainable companies grow by staying capital efficient, compressing timelines, and putting customer outcomes above quick wins.

You’ll find answers to key questions such as:

• What causes new contracting and solar companies to fail when trying to scale fast?
• How does being asset light and capital efficient protect a D2D sales business?
• Why will AI never replace door to door sales reps?
• How do WIP timelines and cash flow delays impact installs and commissions?
• How can reps benefit from a decentralized platform that connects them to multiple EPCs?

Connect with Justin Brach

Website: https://subcontractorhub.com
Instagram: @SubcontractorHub

🗓️ Mark your calendars: D2DCon 9 lands in Salt Lake City, Utah | Jan 22 - 24, 2026. Lock in your spot at
https://d2dcon.com/?el=pod-shownotes-ep505&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=d2dcon9

Thank you for listening! Don't miss out on future episodes! Subscribe to The D2D Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. You may also watch this podcast on YouTube!

You may also follow Sam Taggart on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for more nuggets on D2D and Sales Tips.

As we wrap up 2025, we wanted to bring you something special.

This episode is a compilation of the most listened to moments from the D2D Podcast this year. These are the clips reps replayed, managers shared with their teams, and listeners came back to when things got tough.

Inside this episode, you’ll hear real conversations about preparation, discipline, mindset, and execution from reps who have been in the field and know what it takes to perform at a high level.

You’ll hear from:

💪 Zak Kornfeld on off-season preparation, confidence, and staying mentally steady through the grind
🧠 Marshall Hawkes on discipline, burnout, and avoiding downward spirals when results slow down
🎯 Sam Hunter on the danger of a plan B mindset and what it really means to commit to big goals
🧱 Carlos Morales breaking down why simplicity, humility, and execution still win in door to door sales
🔥 Brannock Gill on raising your goals, pushing through early setbacks, and staying in the fight long enough to break through

Whether you’re a rookie finishing your first year or a veteran thinking about how to raise the bar in 2026, this episode is packed with lessons you can apply immediately.

🗓️ Mark your calendars: D2DCon 9 lands in Salt Lake City, Utah | Jan 22 - 24, 2026. Lock in your spot at https://d2dcon.com/?el=pod-shownotes-epspecial&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=d2dcon9

Thank you for listening! Don't miss out on future episodes! Subscribe to The D2D Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. You may also watch this podcast on YouTube!

You may also follow Sam Taggart on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for more nuggets on D2D and Sales Tips.

In this episode of The D2D Podcast, Sam Taggart sits down with bestselling author, speaker, and entrepreneur Ty Bennett, returning to D2DCon as the only keynote in nine years invited back twice. Ty blends twenty years of direct sales experience with research-backed insights on high performance, making this conversation essential for new or struggling reps who want to level up their production and mindset.

Ty shares how his early career in direct sales taught him the fundamentals of influence, recruiting, and leadership, later shaping the principles he teaches today. He breaks down the results of a national research study on high performance, revealing surprising insights about what drives success at work and what holds people back.

If you are trying to break out of a slump, build more confidence on the doors, or create stronger team culture, this episode will spark the kind of mindset shifts that translate into measurable daily wins. Ty’s upcoming D2DCon keynote will take everything further with a live Ninja Warrior demonstration built as a metaphor for raising personal and team performance.

You’ll find answers to key questions such as:

• What skills separate high performers from average reps in today’s D2D world?
• Why do new reps struggle with preparation, confidence, and fear of failure, and how do top performers overcome those barriers?
• How can leaders develop true commitment instead of transactional relationships with their reps?
• Why is adaptability becoming the most important skill for long-term sales success?
• How does storytelling help reps connect faster, overcome objections, and close more deals?

Connect with Ty Bennett
Instagram: @ty.bennett
Website: https://tybennett.com/

🗓️ Mark your calendars: D2DCon 9 lands in Salt Lake City, Utah | Jan 22 - 24, 2026. Lock in your spot at https://d2dcon.com/?el=pod-shownotes-ep495&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=d2dcon9

Thank you for listening! Don't miss out on future episodes! Subscribe to The D2D Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. You may also watch this podcast on YouTube!

You may also follow Sam Taggart on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for more nuggets on D2D and Sales Tips.

In this episode of The D2D Podcast, Sam Taggart sits down with Jon Gordon, best-selling author of The Energy Bus, The Carpenter, The One Truth and The 7 Commitments of a Great Team. Jon has coached leaders from top sports organizations and major companies. He shares lessons that help new and struggling reps develop grit, strengthen confidence, and build real momentum.

You will hear why belief, culture, and consistency change performance. Jon shares how young reps can think like athletes, use setbacks as fuel, and stay committed when days feel heavy. Leaders will learn how to create stronger expectations inside their teams, how to raise the standard, and how to attract people who want to grow.

This conversation gives practical direction without giving away the lessons Jon will reveal on the D2DCon stage. If you want to level up your mindset or learn how top teams stay connected through hard seasons, this episode is for you.

You will find answers to key questions such as:

• What habits help new D2D reps build grit and confidence faster
• How belief and vision shape daily performance in sales
• How leaders can lift team culture when results slow down
• Why adversity plays a key role in long-term success
• How teams create unity and shared purpose in competitive markets

Connect with Jon Gordon:
Website: www.jongordon.com
Instagram: @jongordon11
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D2DCon 9 lands in Salt Lake City, Utah | Jan 22 - 24, 2026. Lock in your spot at https://d2dcon.com/?el=pod-shownotes-ep503&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=d2dcon9

Thank you for listening! Don't miss out on future episodes! Subscribe to The D2D Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. You may also watch this podcast on YouTube!

You may also follow Sam Taggart on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for more nuggets on D2D and Sales Tips.

In this episode of The D2D Podcast, Hunter Lee welcomes Patrick Brien (CEO) and Dan Ringen (VP of Business Development) from SPCloser, an AI-powered coaching platform for door-to-door and in-home sales teams. With experience at companies like Fleetmatics, Boeing, NASA, and the Cleveland Guardians, Pat and Dan bring a data-driven approach to improving sales performance and team development.
The conversation explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping coaching for door-to-door and in-home sales.

Instead of waiting for a manager to shadow or review calls days later, reps can now get instant, objective feedback on their tone, listening skills, and objection handling. For sales managers, AI provides a clear view of each rep’s strengths and recurring challenges without hours of manual observation. Business owners gain reliable data to measure progress, spot performance trends, and refine training systems that directly impact close rates and customer experience.

The episode emphasizes one core truth: AI isn’t replacing salespeople, it’s making them more effective. By focusing on awareness, consistency, and communication quality, teams can develop habits that last long after the technology does its job.

You’ll find answers to key questions such as:

• How does AI feedback help sales reps close more deals?
• What common habits stop reps from improving their performance?
• How can managers coach effectively with limited time?
• How does AI improve sales performance in door-to-door and in-home selling?
• How can sales organizations use technology to train smarter at scale?

Connect with the guests:

Website: https://spcloser.com

Instagram: @spcloser_ai

🗓️ Mark your calendars: D2DCon 9 lands in Salt Lake City, Utah | Jan 22–24, 2026. Lock in your spot at https://d2dcon.com/?el=pod-shownotes-ep502&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=d2dcon9

Thank you for listening! Don't miss out on future episodes! Subscribe to The D2D Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. You may also watch this podcast on YouTube!

You may also follow Sam Taggart on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for more nuggets on D2D and Sales Tips.

In this episode of The D2D Podcast, Hunter sits down with Dante Strom, Director of Marketing at The Ranches Golf Club. Dante shares how her background in sales shaped her approach to building high performing teams and revenue driven systems. Her story takes you from early lessons at Subway to shaping sales processes that drive strong conversions today.

Dante explains why new and struggling reps need to understand people, process, product, and performance to succeed. She breaks down how discipline in the morning, mental preparation, and belief in your own routine set the foundation for better days in the field. She also explains why persistence matters when doors feel heavy, and how small adjustments in your approach change your confidence before the pitch even begins.

She talks about her time doing door to door sales, what surprised her, and how it forced her to face personal fears and push into a stronger version of herself. She also shares how she applied sales principles to rebuild a full sales department, hire new people, train them, and increase conversions to levels the business had never seen before. Her view on accountability, ownership, and the power of consistency gives reps simple ideas they can apply right away.

Listeners get a real look at how top performers think, how they prepare, and how they turn skills into results.

You will find answers to key questions such as:

• What routines help me perform with more confidence on the doors

• How do I handle objections without losing control of the conversation

• Why do people, process, product, and performance matter for new reps

• How do top reps adjust when a customer breaks their normal pitch flow

• How do I stay consistent on days when door knocking feels heavy

Connect with Dante Strom

LinkedIn personal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dantestrom

LinkedIn company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/golfandfitnessutah/

🗓️ Mark your calendars: D2DCon 9 lands in Salt Lake City, Utah | Jan 22 - 24, 2026. Lock in your spot at https://d2dcon.com/?el=podcast_ep601_monthday_1&htrafficsource=podcast&hcategory=organic_social

Thank you for listening! Don't miss out on future episodes! Subscribe to The D2D Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. You may also watch this podcast on YouTube!

You may also follow Sam Taggart on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for more nuggets on D2D and Sales Tips.