Contributed by Nick Freeman, Senior SupplySight™ Sales Specialist, 14 years 

Embracing Passion and Purpose Every Day 

Every day in my role is an adventure. I’m just genuinely happy here. I think what I do is limitless—and that’s a feeling I wish everyone could have in their work. 

My journey with the company began back in 1996. I had just graduated high school and started working in the warehouse at our Seattle branch. From there I moved into an internship with Sales where I got to experience all facets of the business. Craig Schilling—who’s now a Sales Director—was my boss at the time and he gave me the kind of opportunity that sticks with you for life. He let me learn hands-on, dive into the business and build a foundation I still lean on today. 

After about seven years, I stepped away from R.S. Hughes and spent 14 years working in transportation. That chapter taught me a lot, but when I left that role, Craig caught wind and called me. That one conversation brought me back to R.S. Hughes in August of 2018. I returned to the warehouse, moved into Inside Sales after a while, then took a role with the predecessor of SupplySight™. When I eventually told our leadership team I wanted to move to Houston, they supported me fully and I’ve been thriving ever since. 

Finding the Perfect Fit 

Today, my job is the perfect mix of sales and operations. Technically I sit on the sales side, but I still get to touch product, think strategically and problem-solve in a hands-on way. I’ve always loved puzzles—whether it’s Sudoku, Bejeweled or anything that involves anticipation and strategy—and I get that same satisfaction from my work. Every interaction with a customer is an opportunity to think ahead, navigate obstacles and solve something real. 

What’s ironic is that I never wanted to be in sales. I even turned down outside sales roles in the past because I couldn’t picture myself doing it. But when SupplySight transitioned under the sales umbrella, it suddenly made sense. I realized that what I was doing—listening, anticipating, delivering solutions—was sales. I just hadn’t labeled it that way. 

Now I embrace the role wholeheartedly. I’m not pushing products—I’m solving problems. I take the time to really understand our customers’ processes, meet with everyone from safety officers to supervisors and figure out how we can help. Often, our customers don’t even realize all the ways we can support them until we have deeper conversations. Once they know our full story, they’re often more than happy to save money and improve efficiencies by consolidating their business with us. 

A Culture That Feels Like Home 

Returning to R.S. Hughes wasn’t just a career move—it was a homecoming. The culture here is something special. It’s a place where relationships matter and people look out for each other. I still keep in touch with people from my first time around and I’ve always felt respected and supported here. Many of the principles that got me through college—like integrity and accountability—I first learned on the job at R.S. Hughes. 

This is a company where people stick around, and that longevity builds an incredible knowledge base. People are eager to share what they know, and wins are celebrated collectively. We’re all employees and that collective investment creates a strong sense of unity. There’s a shared belief that we rise together. 

Some of the people who’ve really shaped my journey—besides Craig—include my current boss, Sales Manager Austin Hayner, Operations Manager Kevin Alvarado, Saunders Sales Manager–Converting Arturo Nunez and Regional Sales Manager Alex Grask. All of them embody the kind of leadership that’s approachable, genuine and team-oriented. Around here, no one puts on airs. You treat everyone with respect, and you get that in return. 

The R.S. Hughes Way 

I love what I do and I want others to love their role just as much. When your work aligns with your passion, it’s not work. I’d be thrilled to help teach others the ins and outs of the R.S. Hughes Way and get everyone rowing in the same direction. The more people see the value in this company, the stronger our team becomes. 

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that when you take time to understand colleagues and customers—their needs, their processes, their challenges—you’re in the best position to help. And that’s what drives me every day.