Curiosity-Driven Sales at RELEX: Leo’s Story

Jun 19, 2025 • 3 min

There’s something refreshing about meeting someone who’s genuinely curious about the world around them. That’s the first impression of Leonid Burghaus, or Leo as he’s known here at RELEX. Currently working as a Business Development Representative, Leo brings an interesting blend of island upbringing, international experience, and a genuine passion for understanding how businesses tick.

From Island Life to Sales Discovery

Leo’s journey began on the Spanish island of Mallorca, a place he still proudly calls home. At 18, he spent a year as an au pair in Rome before landing in Barcelona to study Labor Relations. When he’s not working, you’ll find him training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, diving, or snowboarding – an active lifestyle that seems to fuel his approach to everything else.

His entry into sales wasn’t exactly planned. While working at TikTok during university and later in recruitment, something clicked. “I ended up learning more about all types of roles – including sales and what salespeople actually do. That discovery made something click: this was the direction I wanted to take.”

What drew him in was realizing sales’ fundamental importance: “How much value you can create when you’re good at it, and how every company depends on strong commercial teams. It’s also a great way to learn about real business challenges and how different companies solve them.”

Life at RELEX: Building Genuine Connections

As a Business Development Representative, Leo’s role is straightforward in concept but complex in execution: identify companies that could benefit from RELEX’s solutions and connect them with Account Executives and Pre-Sales Consultants. His days involve reaching out to professionals in Forecasting & Replenishment, Pricing & Promotions, and Space & Assortment, understanding their processes and identifying potential value.

The collaborative nature keeps things dynamic – working with Marketing on campaigns, Pre-Sales consultants for technical expertise, and Account Executives who guide deals to completion.

Embracing the Human Side of Sales

Leo’s refreshingly honest about sales’ biggest challenge: rejection. But his approach sets him apart. “The best approach I’ve found is to stay curious in every conversation. When you approach people with genuine interest in how things work on their side, the whole process becomes much more human and less transactional.”

Rather than seeing rejection as failure, he views it as learning opportunities. “It’s part of the job (and life), and part of what makes it so rewarding when something finally clicks.”

Finding Purpose in the Work

What keeps Leo motivated goes beyond personal success. “I really like that it’s a role where your daily effort compounds over time. You get out what you put in, which creates a sense of ownership and progress.”

More importantly, he found alignment with RELEX’s philosophy. “What drew me to RELEX was its emphasis on building honest, long-term relationships with customers – not pushing a sale, but exploring whether we can create real value.”

He also appreciates the broader impact: helping retailers and manufacturers reduce waste. It’s sales with purpose.

The RELEX Culture

When asked about his favorite company value, Leo doesn’t hesitate: “Put an end to stupid things.” This philosophy of eliminating unnecessary complexity resonates throughout his RELEX experience, from abundant tools to constant improvement with “a big emphasis on the humans involved in the process.”

Fun Fact

Of course, even focused professionals have their moments. Leo’s confession about missing a flight despite being at the gate 30 minutes early – distracted by pizza – perfectly captures his relatable authenticity. “I’m afraid it might happen again,” he admits with characteristic honesty.

The Takeaway

Leo’s journey from Mallorca to Barcelona, from Labor Relations to sales, illustrates that careers rarely follow straight lines – and that’s perfectly fine. What matters is curiosity, adaptability, and finding work that aligns with your values.

In a field often characterized by aggressive tactics, Leo’s emphasis on genuine curiosity and authentic relationships offers a refreshing perspective on what good sales work can look like. Whether he’s on the jiu-jitsu mats or crafting outreach messages, his approach remains consistent: stay curious, stay human, and don’t be afraid to learn from whatever comes your way.

Interested in joining the team? Explore our careers section and dive into the RELEX experience!