Matter Stories: John Eliades, Manager Business Development Representative

Tell us about yourself. (Where are you located, what is your career journey, and what brought you to this industry?

I’m located in Chicago, IL. I started off my career in banking as an underwriter. I quickly found that I enjoyed identifying issues with the borrower and talking on the phone, so I made the switch to IT Staffing. From there, I found passion in selling and working with people. I wanted to make a leap into technology, so I left staffing to go to Pure Storage. That was my first Business Development Representative (BDR) job and I enjoyed being able to knock down doors and be the reason the organization was able to close a deal within a new logo. I worked at Pure Storage for a little over a year before I was given the opportunity for my first closing role with Matterport. From there, I grew over the years and identified that I wanted to make a larger impact and train, coach, and develop a program around the Business Development team. 

What excites you most about your role?

As a BDR Manager, I find immense fulfillment in mentoring younger sales talent and watching them succeed. Every morning, I get to wake up and do what I love—helping reps grow and develop each week. Seeing their success feels just as rewarding as closing a six-figure deal. The opportunity to create a winning culture that brings out the best in people is what drives me.

Tell us about your biggest accomplishment or favorite project at Matterport? What was it, were there any challenges, and how was it successful?

My biggest accomplishment was returning in 2021 and having two successful years as a Mid-Market Account Executive. Despite some ups and downs, I consistently pushed myself to succeed, setting higher goals each quarter. Beyond my personal sales achievements, I take great pride in seeing the BDR team deliver strong results quarter after quarter while continuing to grow in their careers.

One of the key challenges was managing bandwidth, as I was responsible for all aspects of Sales and Business Development for several quarters last year. I approached each day with a positive attitude and a strong work ethic, focusing on what I could control. This mindset helped me stay resilient and lead a successful business unit.

Do you have a favorite digital twin or a twin that resonates with you? Which is it and why?

I love history so my favorite scan would have to be the Abu Simbel Temple in Egypt.