FYPC Podcast Ep 26: Dan Casetta, Sales Executive at Vector Marketing and Cutco Cutlery

Dan Casetta is truly a renaissance man.  A sales executive with over 30 years at Vector Marketing and Cutco Cutlery, national speaker, best-selling author and host of the Changing Lives Selling Knives Podcast, Dan is passionate about connecting good ideas and great people.

Dan also hosts events bringing together entrepreneurs, leaders and salespeople as a business and life coach.

“I think it is important to be fascinated by people and show a genuine interest in people,” said Dan.

Find out how Dan chases his passion career on the Find Your Passion Career Podcast!

Dan found his passion career “right off the bat” while still an undergraduate at Santa Clara University. At first, he thought he would be a finance major. But he soon discovered his passion for working with people during a management class and his early experiences with Vector Marketing and Cutco Cutlery.

Dan realized that he was drawn to positions that allowed him to push himself chasing a virtually unlimited income and freedom in making his own schedule.

Now, as the Region Manager of Vector’s Western Region, he manages the day-to-day operations working with eight divisional managers and hundreds of sales representatives. Even in this busy work day, Dan finds time for ongoing learning.

Ongoing learning

“I feel like some form of personal development is very important on a regular basis if not a daily basis,” said Dan.

Dan does this by reading, listening to podcasts and watching videos. Then he makes a point to share his new knowledge.

“By sharing what I learn in different contexts to different audiences it gives me a chance internalize the good things that I learn. So, I do that primarily through writing but also some speaking and then of course all the events that I run within my Cutco business.”

But you don’t have to be a public speaker to learn and internalize information. Or even in a leadership position for that matter. Simply writing can help you organize your thoughts and reflect on what you learn. “Everyone should be writing in some way whether its journaling or something more public like a blog just to be able to get their ideas out of their own head and give themselves that repetition of those idea,” said Dan.

Dan also believes that “connections are resources.” He views building your network as another important aspect of personal development.

This process doesn’t happen overnight but rather involves gradually seeking and being open to genuine connections. And they might come from an unexpected place.

“You start out every day with the realization that someone you meet today just might have a profound impact on the rest of your life. And if you start with that realization at the beginning of the day you’re going to be at the best that day…” said Dan.

Dan encourages us to make deliberate choices when growing your network from being open to chatting with someone in line or even investing in attending a speaking event. He believes in the power of surrounding yourself with people who share your passion. As a 19-year-old, Dan paid $600 to attend a Tony Robbins event where he heard about Jim Rohn, a famous American entrepreneur, author and speaker. Dan was inspired and knew he wanted to follow in Rohn’s footsteps as he continued to attend these events and eventually even become a speaker himself.

Adding value

On the podcast, Dan explains what he considers to be an important aspect of a passion career: adding value. “You have to find something to do where you can add value to others and you’ll know you are adding value because if you are, you get paid.”

Where can you add value while chasing your passion? Take a note from Dan and be fascinated by those around you. Ask them about their passions. You never know who will play a role in your passion career journey.

Download our podcast interview with Dan here on iTunes!

Once you’re inspired by Dan’s story, we would love to read your review. Thanks so much!