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No Typical Day: Inside RELEX Sales with TJ

Aug 1, 2025 • 5 min

When TJ Shindeldecker first stumbled into software sales, it was anything but planned. “Getting into software was random to say the least,” he admits. “I was looking for a new job and a keyword search popped up a software role so I contacted someone about it and they took a chance on me.” Fast forward four years, and this Colorado-based Account Executive has not only found his calling at RELEX but has also earned the company’s Global Sales MVP award – a testament to how the right opportunity can transform an unexpected career pivot into remarkable success. 

The Journey to RELEX 

TJ’s professional path reads like a masterclass in versatility. Armed with degrees in Finance from Indiana University, he spent a decade at Diageo navigating roles across supply chain, finance, strategy, and sales. His transition to software began during COVID in a presales role, followed by a stint at Ball Corporation managing major customer accounts. But it was RELEX that truly captured his attention. 

“I knew I wanted to get back into software and RELEX was the company I wanted to work with,” TJ reflects. His journey within RELEX began in Field Strategy and Presales in 2021, where he quickly made his mark by winning the Presales of the Year award. The transition to Account Executive came after a memorable conversation with CEO Mikko during a challenging day in Chicago. “After a day driving around with our CEO Mikko in Chicago with freezing rain pouring down as I drove, we spoke about my career and he suggested I make the move into sales as an AE.” 

Life as an Account Executive: No Typical Day 

For TJ, the role of Account Executive defies routine. “As an Account Executive, I wouldn’t say there is a typical day,” he explains. His responsibilities span from deep-diving into prospect research to traveling for customer meetings, strategizing with his RELEX team, and staying current on product developments and competitive landscapes. “Ok, I lied,” he adds with characteristic humor, “those are more typically all happening back to back in one day.” 

This dynamic nature of the role requires extensive collaboration across the organization. On any given day, TJ connects with global leadership, marketing teams, field strategy teams, customer success teams, business development resources, and product teams. “You can’t do this role alone and finding the right people to support you at all the different stages of a sales cycle is critical,” he emphasizes. 

“After a day driving around with our CEO Mikko in Chicago with freezing rain pouring down as I drove, we spoke about my career and he suggested I make the move into sales as an Account Executive.”

Navigating Challenges with Curiosity and Care 

TJ doesn’t sugarcoat the realities of sales. “Sales is a tough job. There is no easy day or easy sale. Challenges come and go and deal cycles have their ups and downs.” His approach to overcoming these challenges centers on fundamental principles: “be curious, always be willing to listen and learn, show up prepared, follow-up with care, leverage my network and resources to ask others for help, input,support.” 

What drives his passion for the role is the competitive challenge and the relationship aspect. “I can be a very competitive person so I love the challenge of it all,” TJ shares. “Closing deals that will help companies and stakeholders I’ve developed relationships with. And ultimately, seeing those prospects turn to customers when their lives get easier and results get better when they go-live.” 

Embodying RELEX Values from Day One 

As the “tip of the spear” for RELEX, TJ takes seriously his role in embodying the company’s “Customer is a Friend” value well before prospects become customers. His genuine curiosity and interest in solving problems drive value for both RELEX and potential customers. He also serves as a crucial feedback loop, ensuring that insights from customer conversations flow back to improve messaging and product development. 

TJ’s commitment to RELEX stems from four key factors that resonate deeply with him: personal challenge and goal achievement, working alongside genuinely caring colleagues, alignment with company values, and the freedom to speak up and drive improvement. “I’d be lying if I said everything was perfect, but the last two values help with that,” he notes. “I can speak up when things aren’t working or need to be better for one reason or another and we can ‘put an end to stupid things’.” 

“As an Account Executive, I wouldn’t say there is a typical day.”

Beyond the Office: The Colorado Adventure 

When TJ isn’t closing deals or strategizing with his team, you’ll likely find him embracing Colorado’s outdoor lifestyle. “I love to spend my time outside as much as possible (hence Colorado): skiing, hiking, mountain biking, paddle boarding,” he shares. His passions extend to cooking, yoga, and maintaining close family ties with regular visits to see his parents, niece, and nephews in the Midwest. A dedicated follower of Notre Dame Football, US Soccer, and F1, TJ also feeds his wanderlust through scuba diving adventures around the globe. 

“Small things and good people can go a long way.”

The RELEX Difference: Growth, People, and Fun 

TJ’s progression at RELEX – from software newcomer to Presales of the Year to Global Sales MVP – illustrates the company’s commitment to nurturing talent. For those considering joining RELEX as an Account Executive, he highlights three compelling aspects: “Great product that works with continued investment, good people to work with, big enough to have global scale and capabilities – small enough to have your voice be heard.” 

Perhaps most tellingly, TJ finds joy in the small moments that make work meaningful: “Getting pizza after a jam-packed NRF with colleagues in NYC… a beer and a laugh after a grueling full day demo…reuniting with global colleagues at great places around the globe every year at Sales Kickoff.” These moments reflect RELEX’s commitment to ensuring that “Life is supposed to be fun” – a company value that resonates throughout TJ’s experience. 

A Career That Keeps Evolving 

TJ’s story demonstrates that sometimes the best career moves are the unexpected ones. His transition from finance to software sales, guided by curiosity and supported by RELEX’s culture of growth and collaboration, has created a fulfilling career path that balances professional achievement with personal values. 

For those considering a similar journey, TJ’s experience offers a compelling glimpse into what it means to be an Account Executive at RELEX – where competitive challenge meets collaborative support, where customer relationships drive success, and where individual voices contribute to global impact. As TJ puts it, “Small things and good people can go a long way.” 

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