It was a cold fall day in Vancouver BC...
Not so many years ago, I was born in Vancouver BC and had the pleasure and stability of living in the same house from birth to age 23. My parents still live in that same house and I have so many beautiful memories there. My childhood was wonderful, with the usual family, friends, school, holidays, vacations and all-around happiness.
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I joined the work-force at 10 years old when I began as a paper carrier for The Vancouver Sun. I was devoted to The Sun for 4 years, which made me the richest kid in town. Every month I would collect about $300 in cold, hard cash that I used to throw up in the air while laughing hysterically. As a kid, I wanted to spend my hard-earned cash on toys, clothes, make-up and candy. Of course my parents had other plans, and made me buy Canadian Savings Bonds with most of the money as an investment. So I guess they did the smart thing.
I joined the work-force at 10 years old when I began as a paper carrier for The Vancouver Sun. I was devoted to The Sun for 4 years, which made me the richest kid in town. Every month I would collect about $300 in cold, hard cash that I used to throw up in the air while laughing hysterically. As a kid, I wanted to spend my hard-earned cash on toys, clothes, make-up and candy. Of course my parents had other plans, and made me buy Canadian Savings Bonds with most of the money as an investment. So I guess they did the smart thing.
This teen worked, danced, played sports and was President.
As I cruised through high school, I worked the typical teenage part-time jobs: A&W Hamburgers, Julia Shoes and Tip Top Tailors. I was a jock and played on various high school team sports: field hockey, soccer and track and field to name a few. I also continued my study of jazz dancing, performing and competing all over the Greater Vancouver Area. I became president of my youth group and used some of my paper route money to fund some the youth group retreats where I learned valuable leadership skills.
As I cruised through high school, I worked the typical teenage part-time jobs: A&W Hamburgers, Julia Shoes and Tip Top Tailors. I was a jock and played on various high school team sports: field hockey, soccer and track and field to name a few. I also continued my study of jazz dancing, performing and competing all over the Greater Vancouver Area. I became president of my youth group and used some of my paper route money to fund some the youth group retreats where I learned valuable leadership skills.
Customer loyalty grows over food, drinks and caffeine.
While atttending college I worked at Tony's Coffee and then Sprinkler's Restaurant. At Tony's, I drank a ton of coffee which helped me stay up really late studying. At Sprinkler's Restaurant, I went from Hostess, to Coat Check, to Server, to Bartender, to Floor Manager. I stayed with Sprinkler's for 4 years. What I really loved about working at these establishments were the relationships that I built with the returning and frequent customers. They would come back day after day, week after week and I would always enjoy taking the time to say hi, to ask them how they were doing and of course to ask them if they wanted "the usual." I am a consumer, I love shopping and dining out so I understand what makes a consumer return - quality of service, trust in product and an honest sales/service team. Well, those are the factors that drive ME to return. If my barista knows what my favorite drink is and makes it when she sees me in line so that I get it instantly when I pay for it - what could be better!??!! Now that's customer service!
While atttending college I worked at Tony's Coffee and then Sprinkler's Restaurant. At Tony's, I drank a ton of coffee which helped me stay up really late studying. At Sprinkler's Restaurant, I went from Hostess, to Coat Check, to Server, to Bartender, to Floor Manager. I stayed with Sprinkler's for 4 years. What I really loved about working at these establishments were the relationships that I built with the returning and frequent customers. They would come back day after day, week after week and I would always enjoy taking the time to say hi, to ask them how they were doing and of course to ask them if they wanted "the usual." I am a consumer, I love shopping and dining out so I understand what makes a consumer return - quality of service, trust in product and an honest sales/service team. Well, those are the factors that drive ME to return. If my barista knows what my favorite drink is and makes it when she sees me in line so that I get it instantly when I pay for it - what could be better!??!! Now that's customer service!
Dot bomb or trash talk, anyone?
After college, I worked at Excalibur Publishing, one of the first dot bombs. That was an experience and a half! I was only paid for 2 out of 10 months of working there, so I like to refer to my experience there as an "internship". I learned a ton about color printing, digital software programs and how NOT to run a business. Great life lessons, but my receding bank account made me seek out other options. After leaving Excalibur, I did some office temp work for a few months and learned some amazing administration skills. I also learned that in every company that I temped for, they would always use the former employee that I was temping for as their scapegoats. "Oh thank goodness you're here now! [Insert former admin's name here] was horrible, depressed and always late while you are so organized, pleasant and efficient, we just love you!" I hated and loved hearing stuff like this. Yes, I love to be needed, valued and appreciated but not at the expense of others. That's just not cool. I want to be needed and appreciated on my own merits, not on the bad merits of someone else. Lessons learned.
After college, I worked at Excalibur Publishing, one of the first dot bombs. That was an experience and a half! I was only paid for 2 out of 10 months of working there, so I like to refer to my experience there as an "internship". I learned a ton about color printing, digital software programs and how NOT to run a business. Great life lessons, but my receding bank account made me seek out other options. After leaving Excalibur, I did some office temp work for a few months and learned some amazing administration skills. I also learned that in every company that I temped for, they would always use the former employee that I was temping for as their scapegoats. "Oh thank goodness you're here now! [Insert former admin's name here] was horrible, depressed and always late while you are so organized, pleasant and efficient, we just love you!" I hated and loved hearing stuff like this. Yes, I love to be needed, valued and appreciated but not at the expense of others. That's just not cool. I want to be needed and appreciated on my own merits, not on the bad merits of someone else. Lessons learned.
The Board of the Beautiful and Fabulous.
In 1998, I started at The Vancouver Board of Trade. This was an excellent job and I was thrilled to have it. I designed a monthly newspaper, tons of flyers, fax blasts, helped with event coordination and attended opening nights as media to various plays, musicals and product launches. I walked to work along the water everyday and the office was at Canada Place, one of the most beautiful buildings in Vancouver. It was a fabulous job! Then one day, I decided to move to Seattle.
In 1998, I started at The Vancouver Board of Trade. This was an excellent job and I was thrilled to have it. I designed a monthly newspaper, tons of flyers, fax blasts, helped with event coordination and attended opening nights as media to various plays, musicals and product launches. I walked to work along the water everyday and the office was at Canada Place, one of the most beautiful buildings in Vancouver. It was a fabulous job! Then one day, I decided to move to Seattle.
Hazardous waste not want not.
After getting settled in Seattle, I became the Marketing Communications Specialist, e-Business Services at Philip Services Corp, a nationwide industrial, environmental, transportation and container services company. I was their marketing department and really enjoyed working there. I created an employee morale program, planned regular and spontaneous employee events and promotions, helped create a web portal for our customers, did in-house training, produced marketing collateral for the sales team and was a key member of the strategic planning team. All-in-all it was a wonderful experience. Then I had a baby and decided to take a year off. After all, I hadn't had a year off since I was 9 years old, so I figured it was time for a break.
After getting settled in Seattle, I became the Marketing Communications Specialist, e-Business Services at Philip Services Corp, a nationwide industrial, environmental, transportation and container services company. I was their marketing department and really enjoyed working there. I created an employee morale program, planned regular and spontaneous employee events and promotions, helped create a web portal for our customers, did in-house training, produced marketing collateral for the sales team and was a key member of the strategic planning team. All-in-all it was a wonderful experience. Then I had a baby and decided to take a year off. After all, I hadn't had a year off since I was 9 years old, so I figured it was time for a break.
My 'Lady of Leisure' days - 365 days of pure bliss.
My year off was really fun as I had other friends who weren't working and were home with their babies too. We went to baby groups together, shopped, lunched and generally lived in a fantasy land completely lacking reality. It was great! During my year off, my neighbor kept asking me: "When are you going to come work for us? When are you going to come work for us? When are you going to come work for us?" Finally in an effort to get him to stop asking me, we discussed, negotiated, agreed and I started working part-time for Aish Seattle. There wasn't much of a budget for a part-time employee, so he decided he would pay me out of his own salary. This was December of 2002.
My year off was really fun as I had other friends who weren't working and were home with their babies too. We went to baby groups together, shopped, lunched and generally lived in a fantasy land completely lacking reality. It was great! During my year off, my neighbor kept asking me: "When are you going to come work for us? When are you going to come work for us? When are you going to come work for us?" Finally in an effort to get him to stop asking me, we discussed, negotiated, agreed and I started working part-time for Aish Seattle. There wasn't much of a budget for a part-time employee, so he decided he would pay me out of his own salary. This was December of 2002.
The non-profit world of Sharon
I worked part-time from home for Aish Seattle/LivingJudaism for 8 years. Running events, programs, classes, Shabbat dinners, matchmaking - all in a day's work. It was rewarding, fun, convenient, noble and a great life experience. My hours were 20-40 hours a week depending on what was going on with the event schedule. The last few months that I worked there, the organization split into two and my hours were reduced to 5 hours a week paid, with an additional 5-10 hours a week unpaid. So I had to make my exit. Finding a full-time job takes some time and I needed to focus on finding that perfect job that was going to take me into the next chapter of my life. The non-profit world had run it's course and it was time for Sharon to turn a profit.
I worked part-time from home for Aish Seattle/LivingJudaism for 8 years. Running events, programs, classes, Shabbat dinners, matchmaking - all in a day's work. It was rewarding, fun, convenient, noble and a great life experience. My hours were 20-40 hours a week depending on what was going on with the event schedule. The last few months that I worked there, the organization split into two and my hours were reduced to 5 hours a week paid, with an additional 5-10 hours a week unpaid. So I had to make my exit. Finding a full-time job takes some time and I needed to focus on finding that perfect job that was going to take me into the next chapter of my life. The non-profit world had run it's course and it was time for Sharon to turn a profit.
And here we are now...
In this economy, one must come up with creative ways to generate income. I am a marketing specialist with over 15 years of experience in print and online collateral design and development, including web content editing, project management, events, developing and
maintaining client relationships, email marketing, social media
networking and sales. I had always thought about working in direct-sales and having my own business where I could work my own hours and still have the freedom to have a full-time job and be there for my amazing daughters. Also having extra part-time income where I could set aside some money for vacations for my family sounded like a fantastic idea. After much thought and comparison to many direct-selling options out there, I selected Thirty-One. As of August 1st, I started my own business as a Thirty-One Consultant.
Seven months later...
I am now in my seventh month as a Thirty-One Consultant. This month I am being promoted to Senior Consultant and have grown my team from one (me) to 9 team members. I love my team! We all help each other out, talk frequently and have developed beautiful friendships. Thirty-One has grown exponentially in the last 7 months since I've joined. Due to this extraordinary growth, we have taken a break from recruiting for a few months. As of today, I was told that this break will continue through April. Never fear! If you are interested in working for Thirty-One, one of the fastest growing direct-selling companies in the world, please contact me and I'll give you all of the information you need to help you with your decision so that when the freeze is lifted, you too can love your job as much as I love mine!
About Sharon
I am a mother of two adorable little girls ages 9 and 6. I have fabulous friends and family who support me in my life and my business and are a wonderful network of joy to me. I also am blessed to have found my true soul mate - a man who is one of the most amazing people I have ever met and is a source of complete happiness for me and my girls.
Seven months later...
I am now in my seventh month as a Thirty-One Consultant. This month I am being promoted to Senior Consultant and have grown my team from one (me) to 9 team members. I love my team! We all help each other out, talk frequently and have developed beautiful friendships. Thirty-One has grown exponentially in the last 7 months since I've joined. Due to this extraordinary growth, we have taken a break from recruiting for a few months. As of today, I was told that this break will continue through April. Never fear! If you are interested in working for Thirty-One, one of the fastest growing direct-selling companies in the world, please contact me and I'll give you all of the information you need to help you with your decision so that when the freeze is lifted, you too can love your job as much as I love mine!
About Sharon
I am a mother of two adorable little girls ages 9 and 6. I have fabulous friends and family who support me in my life and my business and are a wonderful network of joy to me. I also am blessed to have found my true soul mate - a man who is one of the most amazing people I have ever met and is a source of complete happiness for me and my girls.
