Meet Anthony Cooper

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony Cooper.

Hi Anthony, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Basketball and sales have walked hand and hand with me throughout my life. While playing basketball in high school, I sold shoes for Footlocker. While playing ball in college, I sold memberships for 24 Hr. Fitness. Unknowingly to me, just as I was honing my skills on the court, I was simultaneously sharpening my ability to communicate and developing my strategies in the world of sales.

I accomplished amazing things in basketball. I won championships in high school. I broke shooting records in college. I even made it to the highest level of basketball as a player development coach in the NBA, coaching and sharing the court with NBA All-stars and Hall of Famers. My proudest moment was having time on the court with the late legend Kobe Bryant. Things in my basketball career were advancing. But after finding myself stagnant for a few years, grinding at the juco level, flirting with D1 opportunities, and finally a missed opportunity as a NBA scout, I found myself tired, deflated, and uncertain about my direction. So, I shot out my sales resume.

Never having sold a car in my life, Tesla offered me an opportunity as a Sales Advisor. The second I hit the showroom, it felt as though every single past experience was to help me thrive right here and now. The connecting, the prospecting, the product knowledge, all of it translated perfectly. In no time, I found myself leading the entire west coast (California, Nevada, and Arizona) in sales. At one point, I was ranked the #3 Advisor in the United States. A basketball coach with no previous car sales experience was killing it!

After three promotions in a year and a half, I am now a manager and coaching the next generation of advisors.

I hope that my story inspires just one person to never be fearful of recreating yourself. Be sure to listen and be ready for when opportunity comes your way and when it does….. shoot the ball!

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The ability to connect and communicate with customers comes natural for me. However, learning the ins and outs of the product was challenging. You are dealing with “techy” individuals with very specific questions. Also learning when and how often to communicate with customers was a challenge. How can I not sound like a “pushy salesman” but still ask for the sale? Those were my biggest obstacles.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
It feels great to be a part of a company that is leading the industry in sustainable energy and technology. From battery development to autonomous driving to our charging network, it really is the best time to go electric. Especially considering the current rise in gas prices and continued concern with pollution etc.

Professionally, I am laser focused on coaching the next generation of advisors and growing the company. Personally, I hope that at least one person is inspired by my story and uses it as motivation to go after their dreams!

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Changing industries is a huge risk at any age, especially in your 30’s and 40’s. But if you remember to have extreme confidence in your ability and go hard every single day, anything is achievable!

Contact Info:

• Email: antcooper@tesla.com
• Instagram: Coopdreamz_