Promo Insiders: From 16 Years Old to $16 Million Sold – Winning Advice From Counselor’s Distributor Salesperson of the Year
Matt Kirsh of Score Promotions shares his secrets for sales success.
Matt Kirsh was 16 years old when he started in the promotional products industry, taping boxes in a distributor’s warehouse. Today, he’s a $16 million-per-year seller whose Fortune 500 clients are so loyal that they forgo RFPs to work with him.
In between is a story of determination and ambition, outworking everyone while earning the trust of clients through creativity, accessibility and responsiveness.
“If you’re starting off in the business, my advice to you is never give up,” says Kirsh, a client experience executive for Score Promotions (asi/321353). “Just plant seeds everywhere, and they’re all going to fruit at different times. And it may take a while, but once you get into a rhythm, you’re going to be a winner. That’s for everybody. Just find your rhythm, believe in yourself and just have tunnel vision. The world is yours.”
In this episode of Counselor Promo Insiders, the 2026 Counselor Distributor Salesperson of the Year joins Counselor’s Editor-in-Chief C.J. Mittica to share how he made his first major sale as a teenager, his philosophy on managing his team to help them grow and why succeeding in sales is, in his words, “simple.”
Key Takeaways
• Matt Kirsh, client experience executive for Score Promotions (asi/321353), was named the 2026 Counselor Distributor Salesperson of the Year.
• Kirsh started in the promotional products industry at age 16 as a shipper and receiver, eventually working his way into sales and building a career that led to more than $16 million in sales last year.
• He believes great salespeople focus on solving problems rather than selling products, taking the time to understand what isn’t working for a client and tailoring recommendations accordingly. Exceptional service is at the core of his approach. His goal is to make every client feel like they’re his only client, regardless of account size.
• Building trust starts before the first meeting. Kirsh stresses the importance of researching prospects, understanding their business and arriving with thoughtful ideas that demonstrate value.
• Creativity has been a major driver of his success. During the pandemic, he developed a “video in a box” concept that brought virtual award ceremonies to life and became a career-defining project.
• For those new to the industry, his advice is simple: Stay persistent, keep planting seeds, find your rhythm and never give up.