Did you know that I am back in school?Here's the story in a nutshell...Employment for me began before I was employable. I began by stuffing envelopes and keeping daycare onsite for an adult modeling class at Macy's Modeling School. I was paid back in tuition for the teen modeling class, although I was only 11 when I started.
That experience led to another position within the same shopping center, this time for Linda's Hallmark. I began by stocking cards, which turned into window and seasonal display, and waiting on customers. (I seemed much more mature than I was.) It seemed as if I owned my own store. The owner ran the drugstore next door and was available if I needed help but otherwise left me alone. This position was only part-time afternoons and Saturdays.
Polly Graham and Associates Marketing and Research was a full-time position, and I was now legal to work. That position lasted over the summer until school started back, then I worked only on Saturdays. (In the mean time I was making and selling jewelry at my Mom's beauty shop on the side.)
I graduated from High School and went straight to JSU at 17. I was majoring in Fashion Merchandising. I majored more in Phi Mu! But also was a Kappa Sig Gator Girl and an ATO little Sis! Plus I interned in the drama department sewing costumes. This lasted one whole semester. I dropped every class except Clothing Construction I in which I made an A. I dropped out of college to work full-time. No one paid me to go to school, and I couldn't afford it anyway. My step father had claimed me on his income tax and didn't support me, so I couldn't get any financial aid.
I then became a Movie Gallery Night Manager and after two weeks the Assistant Manager. I was still 17. I had a gun pulled on me because a man's video was late. I decided maybe I would like to try something other than public service.
Miss Martha Originals Hired me as a Stain-Applier of little "All God's Children" figurines. I moved up to Touch-up Person, then Paint Mixer/Pourer. I worked there for four years. At the same time I had weekends off, so I entered beauty pageants. I would coach young kids and design their gowns and costumes to help pay for my expenses. I even hand-beaded many of their gowns and shoes. This was quite lucrative and was even in my desired field. I met a man who eventually became my husband, and he thought that was all juvenile. I enrolled in Cosmetology School, went through the entire course and never took the state board exam.
Liberty Overalls/Walls Coveralls paid better. I became a Quality Control Inspector / Receptionist and stayed there one year. Advance Auto Distribution had just opened, and they paid better. I became a Receiver. That was heck on my back, so I moved up to Order Picker. Order Picker allowed me to go home when I finished my orders, so I enrolled in Real Estate School. I got my license and began listing and selling part-time. (Back to public service!) Six months later I went full-time. I was the youngest person in Etowah County to achieve Million Dollar Club Status. Two years later I earned my broker's license. I managed our RE/MAX office. My schedule was flexible. I started to school at GSCC. I loved this job, it lasted for four years.
My husband and I separated and God really began to work in my life. He had me to go and save our marriage in New Bern, NC. This was a place 10 hours away from the only place I had ever lived and worked. You cannot sell real estate in a town you know nothing about. I accepted a position with Palm Harbor Homes as a Salesperson. (I did not enroll in school here.) Within 6 months I had earned what I had earned in my best year in real estate. They offered me the General Manager position. I felt I wasn't ready, so I accepted Sales Manager. By the grace of God, after 13 months in NC, we came home to Alabama. I was still with Palm Harbor, but in Lincoln, AL. Two months later I accepted a position as General Manager in Tuscaloosa, AL. (God had told me within two to three months I would be one) I managed a store for 2 years and a month. (I did mot enroll in school here either because the job required 50-60 hours per week.) I became Division Manager over real estate. That lasted 2 months. Corporate decided to postpone the position. I became a sales manager again. Sales were horrible. God showed me to go back to where things slipped up in my life. I did just that last Spring, I started back to school at GSCC. I prayed for a new position ... anything. I couldn't take this anymore. I was with them for 4 years and 2 months.
6 months later to the day that I became sales manager again, I became a Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Consultant. I am still training, but business is pretty good. (Anyone need a mortgage? It really is the only "good" debt.) That is where I am today, but still I have a dream.
Strengths: How does one list them with an humble attitude. I've learned humility is a strength you see, in my many roles. I am told I can make something out of nothing. Not like making a mountain out of a molehill, but turning discarded items into treasure. God allows me to see the potential in things (and people). Also I am told I can convince people of things they wouldn't ordinarily consider, thus the entrance into the world of sales. I have never gone a day without a job. I go from my last day on one day to my first day on the next day every time. I do not take sick time and often leave vacation time on the table. I don't know how this fits, but you'll rarely know if something is bothering me.
Weaknesses: I am weak in the area of submission. I submit to people in authoritative roles, but sometimes do it with resentment, and often do it because I am supposed to, not because I want to. If I respect the person, I can submit 110%. I am learning to submit to God (most of the time). Not that I don't respect or am not in awe of Him, its just that sometimes I want my own way. I hope to overcome this. This doesn't fit either, but you'll rarely know if something is bothering me.
Well Defined Goals: Get my degree! Own My Own Business! A Store? Fashion and Interior Design oriented, perhaps with some cooking involved. I really want to be the next Martha Stewart less the jail time, plus a southern flair, times a little more flamboyancy. (Some of her stuff is just TOO conservative.) Can I still live in the same town as my Mom and do this? That is a must! At the same time I want to give God glory for all He has done and is doing in my life. Is that possible? I want to be doing this within two years. Because when it is all said and done at the end of the day, most people spend countless hours away from their homes and loved ones trying to earn a paycheck. I want to be doing what I do because I love it, and do it whether I get paid or not!
