According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, one in nine Americans work in sales. But if you ask the people who operate the Art Van Selling Institute, we all are salespeople throughout every aspect of our lives.
As Art Van Elslander says, “Regardless of your career, from the time your feet hit the floor each morning, you are selling something.”
Because this skill is so important and can contribute to an individual’s personal success, Art Van Elslander in 2015 created the Art Van Selling Institute to foster sales education for young adults and aspiring sales professionals of all ages. Its goal, organizers said, is to inspire the next generation of sales personnel to build this valuable life skill.
The Art Van Selling Institute recently celebrated the graduation of its first class of 40 students, in a special event at the Detroit Yacht Club. Students received a certificate and heard from Art Van Furniture CEO Kim Yost.
The Art Van Selling Institute offers its course offered through high schools, colleges and our fully interactive online website. The goal of the Art Van Selling Institute is to educate individuals about selling as a fundamental life skill, inspire new generations to choose sales as a career and provide a unique educational program that utilizes the latest learning technologies.
Art of Selling Institute at its core is a personal legacy project created by Art Van Elslander, founder and chairman of Art Van Furniture. The program is under the leadership of Edward Foxworth III, an entrepreneur, author, consultant, corporate diversity coach and sought after national speaker. Foxworth, who has a passion for education, served on the faculty of University of Phoenix from which he holds double Master’s degrees in Business Administration and Adult Education. He previously served as Executive Director of the Detroit Police Athletic League.
Art Van Furniture is the Midwest’s largest furniture retailer and America’s largest independent furniture retailer. The company operates 89 stores throughout Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, and Indiana, including freestanding Art Van PureSleep mattress stores, Art Van Flooring stores, and Art Van Furniture franchise locations as well as a full service e-commerce website. Founded in 1959, the company is family owned and headquartered in Warren.
