Floyd Rembert has built a career around discipline, determination, and the belief that meaningful success comes from consistent effort. As a Government Account Executive and experienced corporate sales professional, he has worked with several Fortune 500 companies, earning numerous awards for his achievements in corporate sales leadership.
Born in Miami and raised in Newark, New Jersey, Rembert developed his competitive spirit through sports. At Irvington Tech High School, he played basketball and excelled in track and field, setting state records in the 200-meter and 400-meter events. He also received academic awards before attending Seton Hall University for one year.
His parents played an important role in shaping his outlook. They encouraged him to work hard, maintain strong values, and believe in his ability to accomplish difficult goals. Those lessons stayed with him as he entered the corporate world.
Throughout his sales career, Rembert has focused on building relationships, understanding customer needs, and preparing thoroughly for every opportunity. His days often begin at 5 a.m. with exercise and mental preparation, a routine that reflects his commitment to staying focused.
Outside work, Rembert has coached youth baseball teams since 2011. He also enjoys running, weightlifting, golf, and attending NFL games. During the holidays, he volunteers at food and clothing events to support people in his community.
Now living in Marietta, Georgia, Rembert continues to balance his professional ambitions with his love of athletics, mentorship, and personal growth.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My day starts at 5 a.m. I like getting up before most people because it gives me time to focus without distractions. I usually begin with exercise, whether that’s running or lifting free weights. I’ve been involved in sports since high school, and staying physically active helps me prepare mentally for the day.
Once I’m working, I focus on prospecting, preparing for meetings, and following up with customers. I try to schedule face-to-face meetings weeks in advance so I’m not constantly reacting to whatever comes up. I also spend time studying the products and services I represent. Customers expect you to know what you’re talking about, and I take that responsibility seriously.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I start by figuring out whether an idea solves a real problem. In corporate sales, you can have a great presentation, but if it doesn’t address something the customer actually needs, it won’t accomplish much.
I like to take a big idea and break it into smaller actions. That’s something I learned through track and field. You don’t improve your 400-meter time by only thinking about the finish line. You work on your start, your pace, and how you finish the race. I apply a similar approach to professional goals.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I’m interested in how technology is changing the way sales professionals prepare for customer conversations. There’s more information available than ever before, and that makes it easier to understand organizations before meeting with them.
What interests me most is using that information to make face-to-face conversations more valuable. Technology can help with research and preparation, but I still believe personal relationships are essential.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Planning my customer meetings well in advance. I don’t like starting the week wondering who I’m going to contact or what I need to accomplish. When meetings are already scheduled, I can spend more time preparing thoughtful conversations instead of scrambling to fill my calendar.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell myself to be patient without becoming comfortable. When I was younger, competing in track taught me to focus heavily on results. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned that progress isn’t always immediate.
I’d also tell myself to ask more questions and learn from experienced people. My parents always encouraged me to believe in myself, but confidence becomes much more useful when you’re willing to listen and improve.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I think more sales professionals should spend less time trying to close deals and more time learning about their customers.
There’s a lot of pressure in sales to move quickly, and I understand that. But I believe a conversation that doesn’t result in an immediate sale can still be productive. You might learn something important about a customer’s priorities or develop a relationship that becomes valuable later.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Stay physically active. You don’t have to run competitively or spend hours lifting weights, but I believe everybody should have some form of exercise in their routine.
For me, exercise creates structure. I’ve found that when I make time to take care of myself physically, I’m better prepared to handle difficult conversations and busy workdays.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I usually step away and get moving. Sometimes that means taking a walk, and other times I’ll go for a run or work out.
Running has always helped me clear my head. When you’re focused on your breathing and your pace, you stop thinking about ten different problems at once. Afterward, I can usually return to my work with a better perspective and decide what actually needs my attention.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Building relationships through consistent customer service has been one of the most important strategies in my career.
I’ve worked for several Fortune 500 companies, and one thing I’ve learned is that customers remember how you treat them after the initial conversation. I make an effort to stay in contact, follow through on commitments, and understand their changing needs.
That approach has helped me build professional relationships over time and has contributed to my success in corporate sales.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Earlier in my sales career, I sometimes put too much emphasis on explaining a product’s features instead of asking enough questions about the customer’s situation.
I realized that knowing a product inside and out isn’t the same as understanding why someone needs it. I started spending more time listening before presenting solutions.
That changed how I approached customer meetings. Preparation is important, but you also need to leave room for the customer to tell you something you didn’t expect.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
I’d like to see a mentoring program that connects experienced sales professionals with young athletes preparing to enter the workforce.
I’ve coached youth baseball since 2011, and I see how much young people learn through sports. They develop teamwork, discipline, and the ability to handle disappointment. A program that connects those experiences with communication skills, interviewing, and professional relationship building could help them see how their athletic experiences apply beyond the field.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Microsoft Outlook is useful for keeping my schedule organized. I like having customer meetings, reminders, and follow-up commitments in one place.
When you’re arranging face-to-face meetings weeks ahead of time, it’s important to stay organized. I also believe in reviewing my calendar before the week begins so I know what needs preparation.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
One book I really value is Good to Great by Jim Collins. I appreciate its focus on discipline, leadership, and the importance of building habits that support long-term performance.
I’ve also learned from The Challenger Sale because it encourages sales professionals to bring knowledge and perspective into customer conversations. Both books remind me that professional growth requires continued learning.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I enjoyed watching The Last Dance, the documentary series about Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.
As someone who played basketball growing up, I find it interesting to see how elite athletes prepare and how different personalities work together on a successful team.
What stands out to me is the importance of maintaining high standards even after you’ve already achieved success. That’s something I believe applies to business and personal development as much as sports.
Key learnings
- Build productive mornings around physical activity, preparation, and clearly defined priorities rather than reacting to the day’s demands.
- Strong sales relationships depend on understanding customer needs, following through on commitments, and maintaining contact beyond the initial transaction.
- Approach career development like athletic training. Break large goals into smaller improvements and stay consistent even when results take time.
- Treat customer conversations as opportunities to learn. Listening carefully can be more valuable than delivering a perfectly rehearsed presentation.
- Use sports, coaching, and mentorship to develop skills that extend beyond competition, including communication, accountability, and resilience.