Groupon Employee Spotlight:
Charlye Tapia

Meet Charlye, the Divisional Sales Manager for Groupon's Pacific & Southeast Region 🇺🇲 who has risen through the ranks since joining us in 2018. From his entry-level start to leading a team of 19 reps, Charlye shares insights into his journey, his team's dynamic, and the exciting transformation happening at Groupon.
Whether you're curious about the challenges his team is tackling, thinking of joining Groupon, or just want to know his favorite karaoke song, this interview offers a compelling glimpse into his leadership style and passion for sales.🌟

Tell us about your journey to Groupon and what is your role?

I started at Groupon January 8, 2018! Why do I remember that specific date? Because it is also my parents wedding anniversary 🙂 I started off as an entry level sales rep selling to Beauty and Wellness merchants, worked my way up to getting promoted to Business Development Manager and then getting the call up to Divisional Sales Manager. My journey here has been full of valuable learning experiences. From testing pilots, growing teams, coaching individuals to succeed and adapting to every change this company has made, it has taught me different skill sets that I needed to contribute to my success. 

Tell us a little about your team. 

Currently I manage 2 regions, Pacific and Southeast, consisting of 19 total sales reps and I believe the main driver that contributes to a good flow of the team is the transparency that we provide each other with. Setting the tone and expectations with the team has made us a successful team not only this quarter but the quarters to come. I love my team and the patience they have with me. They are also huge on utilizing each other and knowing to think ahead and close great deals. 

Can you give us a sneak peek into some exciting projects or challenges your team is currently tackling?

Right now we are currently hyper focused on Booksy! Being able to integrate with Booksy merchants is a HUGE unlock for our platform. We are hoping to deliver great results and hopefully you will hear more from us regarding Booksy! 

Groupon is going through a unique transformation. What's the most exciting aspect of it?

The most exciting aspect of the transformation is the doors of opportunities it has opened for me. We have played a crucial role in the development of the company and we continue to make tweaks and improvements to better our sales org. This transformation has given me the opportunity to see what it takes to turn a company around and realize how far we have come. While we are still under construction we have made significant progress and will continue to make progress towards achieving all of our goals. 

Are you hiring into your team? Who finds the current culture interesting and will be successful with us?

Yes we are hiring! What I look for in a sales rep is a rep that isn't afraid to ask questions. At Groupon, you do the full sales cycle and at times can be challenging to grasp. The most successful reps that I have worked with not only utilize me but go above and beyond and request 1:1s with top performers, ask for mentors, ask for resources to show where the money is based on data. So if you have that entrepreneurial mindset I highly recommend you apply. 

What would you recommend to anyone looking to start building a career in sales?

You have to master the position you are applying for first in order to grow. That means knowing what success looks like and challenges look like. How do you overcome them? How do you make sure you keep performance high. It's like a 30/60/90 day assessment where you ask yourself what can you do better and what have you mastered. In order to build a successful career in sales you need to reach out to people that are at the level where you want to be at and ask for their journey. Being proactive will take you a long way!

What are the top 3 roles you’re looking to hire in your team and why?

Inbound, Junior Sales Reps and Managers. We are looking for the future of Groupon and it starts with someone that is passionate about Sales. We are growing every month and need the right people to come in and continue to grow our company. 

What would you say to those who are still thinking about joining us at Groupon?

Think about Groupon as if you are opening up your own business. The business relies solely on you to determine whether or not it is successful. If you grind, put in the work and use your resources you will be successful here. As you build your book of business and get in the groove of closing 2-3 a week you will notice the success. 

What was your first job?

I worked at Michigan Shores Club where I started off as a busser then moved up to being a server then a bartender and eventually a team lead for all banquet events. It was a great time and I met a lot of great people!

What's a hobby or passion of yours that most colleagues might not know about?

I love sports! I play soccer, basketball, softball and kickball! But the #1 passion of mine is being a great dad to my daughter Natalia 🙂

Why did you ultimately choose sales as your field? What was your path to sales and to this position?

I graduated from the College of Business at UIC in Entrepreneurship. My ultimate goal is to one day own my business. Groupons Sales role attracted me because it gave me direct insight as to how businesses operate and what are the challenges some business owners face. Fast forward to today I feel very confident and prepared to launch my own business soon so be on the lookout for it! 

What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?

I was always raised to treat others the way you want to be treated. And to me thats with respect and honesty. I hold those two to heart and will always put those into play in any situation. 

What has been your proudest moment so far at Groupon?

Winning the transformation award and being inducted into the Transformer Awards Hall of Fame! 

What is unique about Groupon and why should people join us?

The office atmosphere and outings are FUN! 

Rapid and Fire Questions

Book or Podcast? Got a favorite?

Podcast - Anything Sports betting related. 

Morning person or night owl?

Night Owl

#1 on your bucket list?

Go to Colombia or Greece! 

Last thing you cooked?

Skirt steak on the grill! 

What series are you currently binging?

Criminal minds

Favorite Groupon you've purchased? 

My trip to Puerto Rico all inclusive 🙂

Favorite city you have visited? 

VEGAS!

What is your karaoke song? 

Anything Bad Bunny 

Favorite emoji? 

✌️

What is your guilty pleasure? 

Dunkin everyday