The D2D Experts Team recently interviewed Zach Kinzel, who shared his journey, the highs and lows, and the determination that took him to the top.

Now, you might be wondering what’s so special about Zach Kinzel.

Zach Kinzel is a pest control sales rep and a Golden Door Award 2023 winner.

The Golden Door Award is given to the top sales rep in each industry category who sells over 500k in one year. It’s not easy; only a few people have done it.

Zach was one of them.

Rewind a few years, and Zach was sitting at home, watching D2DCon online, wishing he could attend. He couldn’t afford it then, but he didn’t let that stop him from dreaming.

“I remember sitting there thinking, ‘I’m going to be on that stage someday,’” Zach recalls. “I DMed Sam Taggart, telling him I’d be up there next year.”

This prompted him to set a goal of 650k for the next year and write it down everywhere.

The driven sales rep even messaged Sam Taggart, the founder of The D2D Experts and the host of D2DCon, and told him his plans to become the top rep and get on the D2DCon stage next year.

Fast-forward to D2DCon 2023, and Zach not only attended the event but also walked across the stage to collect his first Golden Door Award for generating over $650,000 in pest control sales.

Zach’s journey is beyond inspiring for anyone who wants to achieve new heights through sales skill development.

Check it out below, or keep reading for a quick overview:

Key Takeaways

– The Power of Goal Setting

What fueled Zach’s meteoric rise? A relentless focus on his goals.

– Visualizing Success

Zach made his goal of $650,000 unavoidable by plastering it everywhere:

Sticky notes on his mirror.
Reminders on his iPad, laptop, and backpack.
Even a note on the pillow he didn’t sleep on.

“I was confronted with that number every day,” he says. “The only way to achieve it was to be obsessed.”

– Involving Others

Zach also brought his fiancée into the process, making his success a shared vision. “She was enrolled in the goal,” he explains, highlighting the importance of support systems in staying motivated.

– Breaking It Down: Effort Over Numbers

While Zach set a specific goal, he didn’t let the number overwhelm him. Instead, he focused on daily effort.

“I knew it would get done, no matter what,” he shares. “Whether it was Christmas Eve or a regular day, I worked until I hit my goal.”

For Zach, it wasn’t about constantly checking his progress but about putting in the work. “I didn’t even look at the leaderboard until I hit $450,000,” he admits.

– The Three Drivers of Success

Zach credits his success to identifying and leaning into three key motivators:

People: The team and customers who believe in you.
Dreams: The life you want to create.
Revenge: Proving doubters wrong.

For Zach, this last driver was personal. “I owned a pest control company, and some people told me I’d never be more than a 300-account rep,” he says. “Proving them wrong kept me going.”

Ready to Break Barriers?

D2DCon 2025 is the perfect place to fuel your growth

Discover what it takes to reach the top from those who've been there. At D2DCon, you’ll get exclusive insights from industry leaders like our Golden Door winners.

Get D2DCon Tickets!

What’s Next?

With one Golden Door Award under his belt, Zach isn’t slowing down. His next goal? $1 million in sales.

“To go from $650,000 to $1 million, I know it’s going to take even more effort and smarter strategies,” Zach says.

He’s already analyzing areas for improvement, like reducing unserviced revenue and maximizing door time.

He also takes inspiration from leadership principles, quoting John C. Maxwell: “Set goals so high that without divine intervention, they’re destined to fail.”

Advice for New Reps

For those just starting in direct sales, Zach offers two pieces of wisdom:

1- Don’t Box Yourself In
“Don’t let anyone define what you can achieve,” he says. “If you see yourself as just a rookie or a 300-account rep, that’s all you’ll ever be. Compete with the best and focus on becoming the best version of yourself.”

2- Focus on Effort, Not Numbers
“It’s not about hitting a specific number,” Zach emphasizes. “It’s about showing up every day, giving your best effort, and letting that energy inspire those around you.”

Why D2DCon Matters

For Zach, attending D2DCon was a turning point—not just as a goal but as a source of inspiration.

In his words, “Being at D2DCon and seeing others who’ve achieved so much motivated me to push harder,”.

The Power of Action

D2DCon isn’t the only factor that led to Zach’s success. He followed the best practices and door-to-door sales strategies he learned from the door to door university, which hosts hundreds of videos on industry-specific content that teaches you exactly what to say and how to say it.

Zach learned from people like Parker Langeveld, who did 134 pest accounts in one week; Mitch Matthews, Cody Olive, and Drew Hansen, who sold over 1000 accounts at contract values over $600; and Sam Taggart himself, who sold over 400 alarm accounts in one year.

Zach said, “I modeled their approaches, mindsets, and work ethics. I applied their tips on door-to-door sales, including prospecting, pitching, presenting, closing, referrals, and follow-ups, enabling me to develop a unique style and personality that made me stand out.”

Are you looking to replicate Zack’s 650k success?