When it came time to discuss the theme for this issue, Dana Robinson pitched the idea of finding out what people did before entering the pool and spa industry. The thought sent our editorial staff into a moment of personal reverie. I pounced. “What’s your story, and what’d you learn from it?” I asked everyone.
It was such a fun discussion. The experiences ranged from the inspiring to the bizarre. Rebecca Robledo once worked at a bank processing center, and was one of the first women allowed to work a machine that put the statements together. The experience taught her how to navigate a male-dominated environment.
Nate Traylor once worked at a one-hour photo place back in the day. Some of the images he saw still burns in his memory. The lesson learned? “Don’t take naked pictures of yourself. Ever. Just … DON’T.” We all had a good chuckle.
How about working at a nonprofit whose method of fundraising involved equipping the staff with buckets and dropping them off at busy intersections to beg for change? That was Rena Goldman’s story. Hmm. I’m not sure there’s a real lesson to be learned there, except perhaps to know when it’s time to find another job.
As for me, it was a temporary job that actually taught me the most valuable life lesson. I was 17 and living in Hawaii. I loved the arts, and had a passion for musical theater. So I was thrilled to get a job hawking merchandise for a touring Broadway show. I had a little movable cart laden with programs, t-shirts and the like, but for some reason, I wasn’t hitting my sales goals. I tried moving the cart to different areas. I tried shouting, “Get your programs here!” But I consistently came up short.
I went home one night, humming the melody from one of the songs in the show, when it hit me: People loved these songs. What if I rewrote the lyrics to a few of the show’s most popular songs to showcase the merch? It might help me hit my numbers. I worked on it all night. But when I reported for work the next night and faced a disinterested crowd, my knees just about buckled. Singing acapella alone requires nerves of steel. My nerves were made of jelly, it seemed.
But I needed this job. So I took a deep breath and began belting my heart out. To my surprise, I wasn’t boo’ed! A crowd gathered. At the end, they applauded and then, most importantly, took their wallets out. That night’s take was my best ever!
What did I learn? I learned that while taking risks can be absolutely terrifying, the rewards can send you soaring. And though you may be plagued with self-doubt, sometimes, you just need to trust and have faith in your own abilities.
And that brings me to the treat we have in store for you in our Expo issue. Beginning in this e-newsletter, we'll be running the first two of 12 profiles of industry folks, from a former food scientist to a retired prison guard to a children’s puppeteer, who have funny, fascinating and inspiring lessons to share. I hope you’ll find each story as enjoyable I did.
