Introducing our newest addition to the Smart Ease family, our new Sales Director for NZ and Key Accounts, Corey Niwa. As a certified electrician with 10+ years of solar industry experience, Corey is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to all things solar technology, installation and sales.
We sat down with him to learn more about his background, interests and motivations.
Have you always been in sales?
No, I sort of stumbled into sales. I was working as an electrician and then had the opportunity to buy a solar installation company. Running a solar company forced me to become a salesperson – if you want to earn revenue, you need to make sales. That’s when I realised how much I actually enjoyed the sales side of a business.
That all happened about 10 years ago. Prior to that, I was playing professional Rugby.
What drew you to this industry?
I’m quite passionate about sustainability. That was a big reason I ended up in the decarbonisation industry.
I like the idea of helping people and businesses become greener, which I know will bring huge long-term benefits to them as well as the planet.
What do you do every day?
Talk, talk and talk some more.
I spend the majority of my day speaking to Channel Partners, helping them to convert sales and turn more businesses green.
What’s been the highlight of your time at Smart Ease so far?
The highlight has probably just been meeting so many different people from different backgrounds.
I love connection and I love talking to people. And this role has really allowed me to do that.
What do you do in your spare time?
I have a 16-year-old son and I try to spend as much time as possible with him. I also am pretty into fitness, so I spend a fair amount of my spare time training.
Saying that, I also don’t shy away from a lazy weekend on the couch either.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Not so much advice, more words to live by: discipline over motivation.
Motivation will get you started towards your goal, but it is discipline that will keep you going. I think this applies to most things.
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
My sensible answer is steak and rice. What I’d really want is KFC, but that would make it a very short life!