Weekly Oasis

Thank you, God, today is Friday!  It is also a much-needed day off for your favorite blog author.  I am one day away from finishing the two weeks of training at The Walking Company.  Concerning matters of procedure, the only item of training left to master is the closing paperwork at the end of the day.  Of course I will become more proficient with the passage of time.  In every other matter, I feel as if I'm on the right track.  I am making great strides in learning the product as I work the inventory in the stockroom and merchandise the shoes on the shelves.  In addition, I am beginning to re-discover the salesman I once was as I continue to make product knowledge a priority.  (Can't sell the shoes unless I am familiar with what I'm selling.)  Slowly but surely, everything is coming together nicely.  Yesterday was a good day in sales.  After a big goose egg in sales on Wednesday, I simply refused to have a repeat performance on Thursday.  In the end, I topped sales with a last-minute customer.  Overall, the biggest blessing is getting along with and liking the other staff members.  As the only other full-time employee after the manager and assistant manager, it is very important I set the standard for those who follow.  Again, given enough time, I will fit right in as if I never left the shoe industry for those twelve long years.  What a joy to finally return to the passion of my heart and the career field I feel is right for me.  The strange part is I fell in to the shoe business kind of by accident.  In 1994, I began selling shoes at the J.C. Penney's in Victoria and discovered I was really good at it.  From that point on, I continued to follow that path to where I am at now.  The future is bright as I do see opportunities for upward mobility within the company.  Where will I be in the years to come?  I don't know, but I certainly hope it involves selling shoes.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Nightmare is Over

A little over a week ago, I finished working at Ole Grapevine Cigar & Tobacco Shop for a second tour of duty.  Once again, I found this particular place of employment extremely toxic and dysfunctional.  With the exception of one other staff member, the crew at the shop were too chummy with one another in very unhealthy ways.  Similar to the first experience, I was micro-managed and isolated from feeling a part of the "family", as the manager liked to call the company.  I never felt included...only taken advantage of and then made to feel inferior and worthless.  The customer base wasn't too much better than the work environment.  In some ways, the customers were worse...a bunch of entitled, rich people who wanted their way while everyone else be damned.  Spoiled-rotten brats!  The manager summarily decided, without even consulting me, that I would be moved to an "on call" position.  Since I'm not naive, I realize this means I'll never wor...
Read more

Seeking Closure!

Last week I was able to get away from the land of exile in order to visit and spend time with family.  Even though part of our plans for a trip to East Texas fell apart, I very much enjoyed spending three wonderful days with my mother in Yoakum.  During this time, as she still had to work her shifts at the church, I was able to scratch off quite a few items from the bucket list.  Many of these items have been on there for several years awaiting much-needed closure.  On top of the list, but really in no particular order, was to visit the Alchoholics Anonymous group in Victoria where I tried to get sober in 2004.  Even though I didn't recognize anyone in attendance, I did enjoy the time spent in fellowship.  Then a visit was made to Memory Gardens Cemetery where three acquaintances are interred.  One in particular, my friend Amy, was buried there in 2021.  Regretting not being able to attend her funeral services, I made every effort to locate her gr...
Read more

New Beginnings!

Today I began working a secondary form employment with Cartan's.  It is a shoe store selling men's and women's footwear located on Magnolia in the Near Southside of Fort Worth.  Ever since I moved here I have tried to get hired on with this place of business.  I formerly worked for the owner at the Rockport Shops in Houston.  Figured I was a "shoe" in with the amount of experience yours truly offered.  Finally, I was hired on and began by working from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  I dove right in and tried my best.  Slowly but surely, all of my skills and abilities will come back.  The manager seemed pleased and thought I really didn't need much help.  I shadowed him and a few other employees while they waited on customers.  In addition, I helped to put away drags, which are leftover shoes from the sale.  The store hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and closed on Sunday.  Woohoo!  Think I have found my home....
Read more