Where It All Began
Desleen, known to many as Des or Dessy, began her sales journey at Core Catering Supplies in a telesales role with no prior experience in the field. Coming from many years in the restaurant industry, she entered a completely new environment that required her to adjust quickly. Moving into an office setting, learning product knowledge on her own, and competing in a highly competitive market were some of the biggest challenges she faced early on.
Despite this, Des remained focused. She pushed herself to learn fast, often relying on her own initiative and by watching others around her. Competition was tough, but perseverance and consistency became the foundation of how she approached her role. Following through and staying committed, even when things were difficult, helped her find her footing.
Her work ethic has always stood out. Des is often one of the first in the office and one of the last to leave, long after the doors have closed. For her, the extra effort is not about hours worked, but about ensuring her clients are taken care of and that nothing is left undone.
Growing Through Consistency and Service
As her product knowledge grew, so did her confidence. Being able to offer relevant knowledge allowed her to add real value to her clients. This marked a turning point in her journey, where things began to click. Des learned that success comes from perseverance, consistency, and always following through.
Over time, she continued to grow by constantly improving her knowledge, providing timeous feedback and quotes, ensuring deliveries ran smoothly, and sourcing the right products for her clients. Building relationships became central to her approach, with trust and service always coming first.
When asked about her success, Des does not measure it by sales figures or revenue. Instead, she measures it by how happy her clients are. Knowing that her clients are satisfied with both the service and the products they receive is, to her, the greatest achievement.
Impact as a Mentor
Beyond her success with clients, Des has made a meaningful impact by mentoring and inspiring those around her.
From someone she mentors: What stands out most to me is her determination and the genuine love she has for every one of her clients. She has given 19 years of loyalty to this company and has truly poured her heart and soul into her work. We look up to her ambition every day and pray that one day I can be even half the representative she is. I’m incredibly grateful to have her not only as a mentor, but as someone I truly admire.
Where She Is Today
Today, Des is a senior road representative and one of the most successful reps in the company. Her role is more challenging, involving increased driving and more face to face interaction with clients. Seeing clients in their own environments allows her to better understand their needs and provide more meaningful solutions.
Des is quick to acknowledge that she has not achieved this success alone. She strongly believes in the importance of having a supportive team around her, including operations and a strong backup sales team that supports and encourages her. That support plays a key role in allowing her to deliver consistent service.
She also credits Rolf as a key mentor in her journey. Through his guidance, she learned a great deal about dealing with clients and building strong working relationships. Alongside this, Des values learning by observing others and drawing from their experience. Her faith has also played a significant role in helping her stay grounded and motivated throughout her journey.
A Message from the Core Team
Watching Des grow has been incredibly rewarding for the Core team. Her journey is a true reflection of what hard work, perseverance, and consistency can achieve. She shows up every day with dedication, heart, and a genuine commitment to service.
We are proud to have Des as part of the Core family and proud of the success she has earned. Her growth did not happen overnight, but through persistence and effort. Seeing that hard work finally pay off is something we celebrate, and we look forward to supporting her continued success.
