With 35+ years in the construction industry, few words describe Strong Man salesman Larry Finn more accurately than hard-working.
Though he didn’t start with Strong Man until 2000, Finn has had connections to Strong Man and its owner Jay Kinder for years. Finn bought tarps from Kinder when Finn was managing a roofing, siding and building supply company on Long Island. In 1989, Finn moved to Richmond, VA to oversee the commercial construction division for Saunders Oil Company and soon after, bumped into Kinder at a trade show in Vegas. From then on, they made it a point to meet once a year for dinner and networking.
When Saunders Oil was sold in the 90s’, Kinder reached out to Finn to see if he would have any interest in moving to New Jersey. “I told him he couldn’t pay me enough money to move to New Jersey,” recalls Finn, chuckling. “But, when I went to talk to Jay, I realized he was doing something I’d be very interested in.”
Finn now handles all outside sales for Strong Man in New York/New Jersey metropolitan area as well as eastern Pennsylvania, Washington DC, northern Virginia and Delaware. He describes himself as a working salesman—someone who meets with people on a regular basis rather than sitting at home and answering emails all day.
Finn responds quickly when asked what drives his day-to-day interactions: “What gives me satisfaction is knowing that because people are using the products I sell, everyone gets to go home at 5 p.m. in one piece. That’s what I sell. I sell safety.”
When not working, Finn can be found attending his son’s baseball games or landscaping around the house. He’s been married for 26 years and has two children, a daughter and son.
FAVORITE QUOTE: The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare.
FAVORITE FOOD: What I can’t have: prime beef.
FAVORITE INDULGENCE: Fine wine
DREAM VACATION: Return to Hawaii
SOMETHING ABOUT YOU THAT WOULD SURPRISE OTHERS: I’m a cancer survivor.
MOST PROUD OF: Personally, I’m most proud of my wife and children. Professionally, I’m proud that I’ve been in this industry since 1975, and I’ve never mistreated anyone. Everyone who’s dealt with me knows they’ve been treated fairly.