6. From selling
to shaping partnerships

From selling to shaping partnerships with Fredrik Mellander of Journeybee

Fredrik Mellander, CEO and co-founder of Journeybee, has followed a non-linear career path filled with a unique combination of sales lessons. From door-to-door fiber optic sales to leading a partnership team at a high-growth startup, and now founding his own company, Fredrik’s journey is a testament to resilience, curiosity, and the power of relationships. 

Here are the key takeaways from our interview with Fredrik and his story to help sales professionals succeed on the B2B Legends Show by Oneflow.

1. Embrace the grind to build your foundation

Fredrik started his career knocking on doors across Sweden, selling fiber optic internet to homeowners. While it wasn’t glamorous, it taught him resilience. 

“You go out in all conditions, hurricane, minus 50 degrees, it didn’t matter,” he recalls. This relentless approach built his foundation in sales and sharpened his skills. For sales professionals, the grind is an essential part of the journey. Whether it’s cold calling or prospecting, these foundational experiences teach you discipline and adaptability​.

2. Choose passion over paycheck

When deciding between two jobs, Fredrik nearly chose a better-paying role. Instead, he joined Teamtailor, where he connected deeply with the product and team.

 “It was something I fully believed in,” he says. That choice led to exponential career growth. For sales professionals, this lesson is clear: align with products and companies you’re passionate about. Belief in what you sell will resonate with your customers and drive your success​.

3. Adapt and grow with new opportunities

Fredrik transitioned from sales to leading partnerships at Teamtailor, a role he didn’t fully understand when he accepted it. 

“I didn’t know what I was getting myself into, but I wanted to develop new skills,” he admits. That willingness to embrace the unknown shaped his career. Sales professionals can adopt the same mindset by stepping into new roles or exploring opportunities to learn different aspects of the business, such as customer success or marketing​.

4. Find solutions, not excuses

When building his partnership team, Fredrik prioritized hiring people with a problem-solving mindset. 

“If someone sees a brick wall, I want them to figure out how to go over, under, or around it,” he explains. In sales, the ability to overcome objections and think creatively is critical. Approach challenges with a solution-oriented mindset, and you’ll find success where others see roadblocks​.

5. Master the balance between relationships and data

Fredrik emphasizes the importance of blending relationship-building skills with a strong grasp of data. 

“Partnerships people are great at relationships but often struggle with data. Master both, and you’ll have a significant edge,” he says. For sales professionals, this means not only building trust with clients but also leveraging data to back up your strategies and decisions. Numbers tell the story, and relationships close the deals​.

6. Share your ideas to make them stronger

When starting Journeybee, Fredrik shared his ideas widely to gather feedback. 

“Ideas are useless without execution, so talk to people, validate your thoughts, and ask for help,” he advises. Sales professionals can apply this principle by sharing strategies and learning from peers or mentors. Collaboration and diverse perspectives often lead to better outcomes​.

Conclusion

Fredrik Mellander’s journey is a powerful reminder that success in sales and beyond requires resilience, curiosity, and a willingness to adapt. His story shows how foundational skills, passion, and a focus on both relationships and data can propel careers to new heights. For sales professionals, these lessons underscore the importance of persistence, continuous learning, and taking risks to grow..