Gene Simmons - If he didn't make it as the bass player for Kiss, he'd be selling bass-o-matics on late night cable. Give the guy credit, he built Kiss into a $1 billion enterprise - mainly a marketing, merchandising and licensing machine; Kiss coffins, Kiss credit cards, Kiss casino's. Gene can sell, but he's actually a brilliant marketer.
Gene is currently branching out into a general marketing consulting firm, his first client? The Indy Racing League.
Gene believes in selling only at the highest levels - "there aren't enough hours in the day to get the Vice Presidents and secretaries up the learning curve. If you're not talking to the head person, it doesn't matter."
Food for thought - too many people waste time trying to sell to someone who isn't in a position to buy. There is a clear distinction between Buyer and Influencer, yet it's too often over looked.