Building a Better Business - Learning from First Jobs

As part of The Daniel Island News’s Build a Better Business 2016 campaign, we asked several local business people to share details about their first jobs and what they learned from those jobs that still applies to their work today. We think their answers may inspire you to remember your first job and the lessons learned. You can share your first job stories and lessons learned via email to sdetar@thedanielislandnews.com for possible future publication. And, by sharing, we can all learn something that might improve our work and business life.

Bob Moran General Manager Family Circle Tennis Center and Volvo Cars Stadium

My first job was as an Assistant Golf Professional in Scarsdale, New York. My responsibilities included: Management of all Pro Shop operations, staff scheduling, Pro Shop accounting, Pro Shop buying, junior programs, tournament operations, and teaching. The decision on my first job came down to the fact that I wanted a job where I would interact with people. Both in group and one on one settings. I also chose the job as it allowed me to network with individuals who could help me with my future. Twenty-five years later, those same people continue to be good friends and provide career guidance. I learned very quickly that you only get one chance to make a first impression. Sounds like a cliché, but so very true. Service is everything. What is that experience like for your client or the consumer from the very beginning to the very end? Each aspect of that experience is equally important.

Pam Hartley Agency Principal, Momentum Marketing

My first job was as the Drive-thru booth money collector/order taker at McDonald’s (drive-thru booths were brand new in 1984)! I was 16 years old and asked my dad to buy me a pair of $125 boots. He told me I needed to get a job and earn my own money. So the next week I got my worker’s permit and got a job. I bought those boots with my first paycheck! McDonald’s was a leader at that time in customer service and they had an extensive training program. I learned a great deal about upselling and cross selling (would you like fries with that?), being courteous to customers and on-the-job organizational and multi-tasking skills. That first job taught me to honor my commitments, follow procedures, be on time and to always serve my customers with a smile – all skills that still apply to this day.                    

Matt Sloan President, The Daniel Island Company

My first paying job was after I had just turned 13. The upper state New York town I was spending the summer in had a six week long series of festivals with different themes - German, Polka, Country Western, etc. It was an opportunity for me to make money for the first time, so I eagerly inquired about jobs I could do. Budweiser had a very large presence at the entire series of events, and their signature Clydesdales were there. They did a daily parade through town. My job involved following along with an older man in a pick-up truck. He would drive, I shoveled behind the horses. We would fill up the back of the truck, empty it, clean it and repeat. I actually did this six days a week one summer and was paid $2.12 per hour. Everyone has to start somewhere and this was a good place for me to start. I worked hard, enjoyed the outdoors and earned more responsibility as a result of my efforts. As a city boy, it also gave me a taste of small town life and community events.

Jane Baker Vice President Community Services Daniel Island

My first job was selling Cutco Knives. I wanted the job because Cutco was a great American made, quality product and I thought I could learn a great deal and make a great living off a commission based job. Lesson learned: I was fired within a week because I did not agree with their canned sales philosophy and wanted to go with my gut and use my own sales pitch. My manager did not agree with me, even though I did learn how to cut a penny with their paring knife! Today I still go with my gut 100% of the time when making decisions and know that for the most part, that is how to live your best life.

Sensei Glenn Raus Owner/Head Instructor of Japan Karate Institute Daniel Island

My first job was in 1982 as a busboy at the Baron's Inne in King of Prussia, PA. It was a fine dining restaurant that, due to its proximity to the Valley Forge Music Fair, had quite a few celebrity patrons. (Englebert Humperdink, Bowzer from Sha Na Na, Mike Schmidt HOF 3rd Baseman, Bill Giles, Harry Kalas to name a few) My duties were to assist the wait staff by filling waters, providing bread, coffee/tea, clearing flatware after each course and cleaning & resetting tables. I got the job because my oldest brother was manager and my dad said it was time for me to get a job. (I had just turned 16). I wanted the job to earn spending money. My only initial goal was to not get fired. As I continued to work there, I wanted to be the best busboy in order to be scheduled on the high volume nights and make more money. (We were tipped by each of the waiters we served) The three biggest things I learned from this job were: Team work and hustle are key, working smart beat working hard, and I developed an ability to talk to anyone (I once served Phillip Testa, head of the Philadelphia Mafia. He tipped me $100 for getting him a coffee).      

Katharine Moffat Owner - Lucia’s Premium Pet

My first job was at a local, woman-owned pet food and supply shop in Greensboro, NC called All Pets Considered. At this job I helped customers find solutions to a number of animal related issues, rang up sales, stocked shelves, cleaned the store, and learned about pet nutrition and health. I stuck with this job for five years because I adored working with the public and of course, with animals. I wanted this job because I grew up in a home where I was not able to have pets. I loved dogs, cats and all animals I came into contact with, and had a natural desire to rescue them. With this job, I was able to interact with many different pets and help local rescue organizations. The lessons I learned from that first job were invaluable to the work I do today. Had I never gotten that job in high school, I would have never opened the business I have. I went to Wake Forest and majored in French, Spanish and International Studies. I studied abroad and really enjoyed communication and culture. During the summers though, I always ended up back at the pet shop. My customers would ask what I wanted to do with my degrees and language skills and I would always reply, "I just want to work at this pet shop for the rest of my life." I’ve always been a follow-your-heart kind of girl, and my heart led me here to Daniel Island to open Lucia’s in 2008.

Daniel Island Publishing

225 Seven Farms Drive
Unit 108
Daniel Island, SC 29492 

Office Number: 843-856-1999
Fax Number: 843-856-8555

 

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