My Story
From curious tinkerer to AI Sales Operation Specialist in a SaaS startup. An unconventional path towards AI automation.
My name is Salvatore Marzolla, born in 2001. Since I was little, I've always been a tinkerer: I fixed anything that came into my hands. It didn't matter what it was, if it was broken, I wanted to fix it.
The Journey
The Tinkerer
Growing up, I started repairing iPhones, Macs, anything electronic. I did it because I liked solving problems and fixing things. Plus, I could make some money that allowed me to buy what I wanted, even though I wasn't 18 yet and was still in school.
The Self-Taught
I attended a technical IT institute, where I built the technical foundations that are still useful today. But the real training always happened outside the classroom.
I've always learned by doing. Personal projects, online courses, continuous experimentation. This practical approach became my competitive advantage.
Discovering Business
At 18, I started studying marketing, sales, and entrepreneurship obsessively. Books, courses, podcasts: everything that could teach me how companies really work.
I developed a results-oriented mindset: positive thinking, focus on goals, and the belief that with the right approach you can learn anything.
Sales Experience
I wanted to understand how companies work from the inside, so I made a bold choice: I was a reserved person, but I decided to enter the sales world.
I worked for various companies, learning B2B sales dynamics, CRM management, and the importance of structured processes.
Every experience taught me something new: how to qualify leads, handle objections, close deals. But most importantly, I saw firsthand the inefficiencies that slow down sales teams.
Joining Spoki
In 2024, I joined Spoki, a SaaS platform for conversational commerce on WhatsApp and SMS. My hybrid tech-sales profile was exactly what they were looking for.
Finally the right context: a fast-growing startup, an ambitious team, and the freedom to experiment with new technologies.
📊 I contributed to the first €5.5 million round.
🏆 Spoki was recognized as #10 LinkedIn Top Startups Italy 2025, among the fastest-growing Italian startups.
AI Changes Everything
The AI explosion came at the perfect time. I seized the opportunity: my hybrid background (tech + sales + business) allowed me to see connections others couldn't.
I found my true passion: building automations and AI systems that solve real problems. Not just code, but solutions that generate measurable impact.
Today companies need people who can combine technical skills and business vision. That's exactly what I do.
First AI Project: Voice Agent
I proposed and implemented an AI voice agent system to automatically qualify leads and schedule appointments with sales reps.
Results came immediately: 70% time saved, 200+ leads qualified per month, system active 24/7. My technical skills were finally generating tangible value.
From there, I deepened my knowledge of APIs, n8n, and the entire automation tools ecosystem. Today they're the tools I use to build solutions every day.
Where I'm Going
My direction is clear: continue to build skills at the intersection of AI, automation, and business. Every project is an opportunity to learn something new.
Long-term goal? Found my own SaaS startup. The experience I'm accumulating at Spoki is exactly the preparation I need.
Next step: transfer to the Barcelona office to consolidate English and Spanish and open up to international opportunities.
My Philosophy
Problem Solver
I don't care about theory. I care about solving real problems, finding solutions that work.
Continuous Learning
I've always learned on my own. AI now allows me to learn at 10x speed.
Startup Mindset
I think like an entrepreneur: ROI, scalability, efficiency. The goal is to found my own startup.
Want to Know More?
Check out my projects, read my articles, or contact me directly.