In a digital-first world, where automation rules and inboxes are plagued by marketing, a company quietly took the opposite route – and succeeded.
Founded by Elijah Medge in 2007, Oln Inc runs on something older than the Internet: Face-to-face interaction. Rooted in Nashville and its current coverage in 30 U.S. cities, Oln Inc specializes in direct sales for some of the world’s largest brands. Think of Amazon, Verizon, Staples, and T-Mobile. But what makes this company unique is not just its list of customers, but the way they reach people.
“We go where advertising can’t,” Mega said. “Showing in person – not selling to screens, but giving humans something powerful.”
The invisible advantage
Oln Inc, representing the network of outsourcing licensees, helps large companies connect with small business customers that are hard to reach. Instead of bombing ads or making phone calls, Oln Inc Reps knocks on the door, starts real conversations and builds trust face to face.
It’s not always fascinating. It requires flexibility and perseverance. But this works.
“The massive emails were deleted. The flyers were thrown away. We showed up, listen, we contacted,” McGonagall explained. “That’s why it’s different.”
Their focus is on practical daily services – telecommunications, commercial utilities, office supplies. Serving small businesses requires, but rarely has time to shop. Oln Inc provides a bridge between these businesses and the Fortune 500 giants that serve them.
Start with an idea
Elijah Medge founded Oln Inc and has only one motivation to prove itself. As a young immigrant to the United States, he had no chance – he built it.
“I don’t have a clear blueprint,” he recalls. “But I believe people are the best investment.”
At first, McGonagall did everything – recruitment, training, sales. He did not wait for the perfect conditions. He moved quickly, made mistakes, and learned on the journey. Over time, his approach has shaped a corporate culture built on initiative and constant movement.
“Standing is still not part of our rhythm,” he said.
Leaders’ training ground
Unlike many companies whose progress depends on qualifications or politics, Oln Inc uses a different formula: If you execute, you will rise.
Employees start with the basics – learn how to sell, communicate and work under pressure. But the real goal is leadership. Oln Inc has developed its highest performers to lead their own business, often providing resources to help them launch their first brand. “We are not distributing titles here,” Mega said. “We are here to give people the opportunity to earn real responsibility and have something.”
Ownership is not only a buzzword for OLN Inc. It is built into the business model. Those who prove that they have obtained their own tools, support, and even capital to open their own offices. The network develops in this way – branched by the leader branch.
Survive
In 2020, the pandemic hits the OLN Inc model. The core of the company – external sales – is no longer possible.
“We’ve never done remote work. It’s a foreign concept,” McGonagall said. “But we can’t wait.”
The company quickly rotated, partnering with Amazon to launch an in-house sales program, a new track for the business. In a time of uncertainty, OLN Inc avoided layoffs and created new lanes for growth.
“We proved to ourselves that flexibility is not only useful, but necessary,” he said.
This experience changes the way a company thinks. The culture of boots that once were on the ground now adopts a hybrid strategy.
Play a long game
Every year, McGee sets a long-term income target—what he calls it “large, furry, bold goal.” But the real job is to decide who to bet, he said.
“I spend more time thinking about people,” he shared. “Every quarter, I ask: Who is ready for the next level? Who shows signs of leadership?”
He believes in guidance from behind – letting his team support them with insight, structure and belief.
People have a deeper philosophy in the first place than most companies. Oln Inc is more than just a stepping stone. For many, this is a launch pad.
“Some of our leaders never thought they would run anything,” McGonagall said. “Now they are coaching others, opening offices, building their own team.”
Not flashy, just focus
There is no company buzz, no virus movement. Oln Inc doesn’t catch up on hype. It keeps the head and is standard high.
Culture is highly competitive, but also patient. Success takes time. Development is intentional.
“Hurry, you won’t be great,” Mega noted. “You get better every day – by participating in games, learn as you learn.”
This is the heartbeat of OLN Inc. A company that values experienced noise. A company that thinks people are not resources, but potential.
Lessons from the field
Looking back, McGee didn’t point out the moment of success decisions. For him, it was a quiet victory – a representative of confidence, a manager who found voice, and a team that learned to trust each other.
“It’s not a big improvement,” he said. “It’s stable. You may not see it right away, but it’s more complicated.”
He told his team to keep asking questions. Stay curious. Beyond yesterday’s version.
“Knowledge doesn’t age,” he said. “You either build it on it or ignore it. We choose to build it.”
The road ahead
As Oln Inc grows into new markets and tests new models, its task remains the same: connect humans with humans and do a good job.
This is not a reshaping technology or a cycling trend. It sticks to a timeless idea – real connection is still important.
In a world where speed and scale are often celebrated, OLN Inc reminds us that growth is not necessarily noisy. It can be grounded, stable and deep in humans.
Sometimes, being in person is still the most powerful strategy of all.
