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Dan Cantrell, Senior Account Manager on Notable Men

FOUNDER TO THE PROFILE

Dan Cantrell

Senior Account Manager, Flatbedtools.com

“I am very resilient. You can't give up, you can't just walk away with your head down. You know, you gotta just keep finding a way to earn somebody's business, or gain somebody's business. And then once you have it, you work hard to maintain it, you know? Because it can go away tomorrow, right? There's always somebody else knocking at the door.”

BASED IN
Cincinnati, Wisconsin -
INDUSTRY
Digital Cutting Equipment

CONNECT

About

Dan Cantrell brings more than four decades of expertise to the digital cutting equipment sector. He began his career helping in his father's print shop during high school, then served five years in the Navy Reserve before completing a four-year union apprenticeship and training at OKI Graphic Arts Institute. After working 16 years as a lead six-color pressman on Komori presses for a large printer in Cincinnati, he transitioned into sales, spending five years as an account manager with Fuji before focusing on digital presses, cutters, and routers for multiple companies over the subsequent 20-plus years. Since May, he has worked remotely for Flatbed Tools, a servicing dealer for Summa Digital Cutting Systems and laser systems, selling equipment, services, and consumables nationwide by leveraging long-standing relationships. In 2018, Cantrell achieved number one ranking in the world for sales and set an all-time record. He is affiliated with the International Sign Association and Printing United Alliance, attributes his success to resilience and persistence in earning and maintaining business, and values honesty and integrity above all.

Key Areas Of Focus

  • 01. Digital Cutting Equipment
  • 02. Digital Presses
  • 03. Digital Cutters
  • 04. Routers

IN HIS OWN WORDS

The Q and A

  1. 01

    What do you attribute your success to?

    I am very resilient. You can't give up, you can't just walk away with your head down. You know, you gotta just keep finding a way to earn somebody's business, or gain somebody's business. And then once you have it, you work hard to maintain it, you know? Because it can go away tomorrow, right? There's always somebody else knocking at the door.

  2. 02

    What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

    Work hard and good things happen. Be a people person and a good listener. Whatever you put your mind to, you can do it. Surround yourself with good people, learn and absorb, and then take it and run.

  3. 03

    What advice would you give to young men entering your industry?

    I highly recommend sales. It's not for everybody. It can be very frustrating, but to have an uncapped income that you control and drive is one of the thrills of it. Be yourself, be personable, and build a network. It takes time. Surround yourself with good people, learn and absorb, and then take it and run.

  4. 04

    What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

    The greatest challenge is competition and price. The greatest opportunity is the industrial market outside of graphics, like automotive, gaskets, anything that we can cut digitally, carbon fiber, etc.

  5. 05

    What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

    Honesty and integrity. You gotta earn respect, it's not given.

PERSPECTIVES

Perspectives by Dan Cantrell

Original insights, ideas, and viewpoints shaped by real-world experience.

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Resilience, Relationships and Doing Business the Right Way
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Resilience, Relationships and Doing Business the Right Way

A seasoned sales professional shares timeless principles for success: consistency, resilience, and genuine relationship-building. …

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