How to Minimize Pesky Sales Calls and Still Stay Open to the Right Opportunities

If you run a business, you’ve probably experienced it: the phone rings, you answer, and on the other end is someone trying to sell you something you never asked for. Sometimes it’s equipment financing, sometimes credit card processing, sometimes marketing. Whatever it is, it interrupts your day and can feel relentless.

The truth is, even in my own industry, I see how frustrating this is. The good news? There are steps you can take to cut down on these calls while still keeping the door open to genuine opportunities.

1. Use a Dedicated Business Number

One of the easiest ways to manage unwanted calls is to separate your business line from your personal phone. Services like Google Voice, Grasshopper, or RingCentral let you create a business number that routes to your cell or office phone but still gives you control over how calls are handled.

For example, you can set business hours so that calls go to voicemail after 6 p.m., or you can route certain numbers straight to an assistant. This way, you’re not constantly fielding calls during family time or while you’re focused on real work.

2. Register with the National Do Not Call Registry

It may not be a silver bullet, but the FTC’s Do Not Call list can reduce the volume of unwanted calls. You can register your number at donotcall.gov for free. Telemarketers are required to honor the list within 31 days, and if they don’t, you have legal standing to report them.

While this won’t stop every call — especially from companies that don’t follow the rules — it does reduce some of the noise and gives you recourse against the repeat offenders.

3. Leverage Call-Blocking Technology

If your phone still rings too often, technology can help. Many carriers, like Verizon Call Filter, AT&T ActiveArmor, and T-Mobile Scam Shield, automatically screen and block suspected spam calls.

Third-party apps like Hiya, Nomorobo, or RoboKiller add even more control, letting you auto-block robocalls, silence unknown numbers, or send entire categories (like “telemarketer”) straight to voicemail.

For example, a business owner I worked with installed RoboKiller and saw a 70% drop in daily spam calls almost instantly.

4. Train Gatekeepers to Screen Effectively

If you have a receptionist or assistant answering phones, they’re your first line of defense. But many gatekeepers freeze up when a caller pushes back. Giving them a clear process helps.

Here’s an example script:

• “Thank you for calling. May I ask who’s calling and what this is regarding?”

• If the caller says it’s a sales pitch, they can respond: “We’re not accepting unsolicited sales calls. Thank you for your time.”

• If the caller won’t answer directly, that’s a red flag. A polite: “Please send any information to info@[yourbusiness].com for review” ends the call quickly.

  
  

With the right training, gatekeepers can filter out 90% of unwanted calls without taking up your time.

5. Be Strategic About Where You Share Your Number

Every form you fill out — whether it’s for a free trial, trade show signup, or industry directory — can end up feeding your number into a sales list. Before hitting “submit,” ask yourself: Do I really need to give them my direct phone line?

A good practice is to use a generic company line or a webform for non-essential signups. That way, real customers can still reach you, but you’re not handing out your cell to every vendor who might resell it.

6. Build Relationships with Trusted Partners

Cutting off every sales call isn’t realistic. Sometimes, the right opportunity comes from the right partner reaching out at the right time. The trick is to be selective.

For example, in financing, it makes a big difference who you partner with. A good funding partner should:

• Work alongside your sales team so they can speak confidently to customers.

• Handle the financing process quickly and professionally.

• Let you stay hands-off while they manage the paperwork and customer communication.

  
  

That way, instead of a dozen lenders blowing up your phone, you have one trusted partner who respects your time and helps your business grow.

Bottom Line

You can’t avoid every sales call, but you can minimize the interruptions and focus on real opportunities. With the right tools, smart call screening, and careful partnerships, you’ll spend less time on the phone with strangers and more time running your business.

And for the record: I’ll never robo-dial you. If we talk, it’ll be a real conversation, on your schedule, about whether financing actually makes sense for your business.

About the Author

   Jared Holmes is the founder of Brilliance Funding Partners, where he helps business owners navigate the commercial lending landscape with confidence. With 9 years of hands-on experience in SBA lending, equipment financing, and working capital solutions, Jared focuses on asking the right questions and delivering financing strategies that make sense for each business. Connect with Jared for a personalized conversation about your options.