Nobody sells vacuums like Michael Heard

By Staff
ONE MAN SHOW Michael Heard demonstrates the cleaning ability of an Electrolux vacuum in his store in downtown Meridian. Heard was named 2002 National Sales
Champion for Electrolux for selling 484 vacuums and central vacuum cleaners, or $500,000 worth, last year.Photo by Georgia E.Frye
November 16, 2003
By Georgia E. Frye / staff writer
Meridian's Michael Heard is a self-professed "pretty dog-goned good salesman." He's so good, in fact, he earned $187,000 last year selling Electrolux vacuums door-to-door and was named the company's 2002 National Sales Champion.
Heard said 90 percent of his business comes from door-to-door sales, or "cold canvassing." But Heard said a lot of his business also comes from home shows in New Orleans, Las Vegas, the Gulf Coast, and most recently, Panama City, Fla.
Heard is the satellite manger of Electrolux at 1817 Sixth St. in downtown Meridian.
Heard said a routine day for him consists of driving within a 100 mile radius of his home to subdivisions to "beat on doors."
Heard said he began selling Electrolux vacuums after answering an ad in the local newspaper 27 years ago. Heard was born and raised in Jackson, but moved to Meridian when he was 16. He and his wife, Karyn, have been married for 12 years.
During that time, the Heards have vacationed in Hawaii, Switzerland, Australia and Italy. Heard said the best thing about selling vacuums is the freedom it allows him.
In addition to selling vacuums, Heard said he likes to hunt and fish, and visits his duck camp in Louisiana when he wants to escape.
Heard said he hasn't thought much about retiring because he will "probably die with an Electrolux vacuum in my hands," but he said he is definitely considering slowing down a little.
Heard said he attributes his success to a quality product and to his motto, "If you do right, right will follow."