Twenty Five Years Of Retail

Back in the fall of 1983 I started as a box-boy --carrying out groceries- at Big Horn IGA in Lovell, Wyoming. Yes, Pastor Jeff, they actually had grocery stores WAY back then. Hard to imagine, I know.

So for twenty-five years I have gone through the holiday seasons in the middle of the grocery store/retail world. The the biggest of those holidays--at least in the land of Frito-Lay--is yet to come-- The Super Bowl. It was always my biggest sales week. We called it a "push week". It was nuts and awesome all at the same time.

So this year-this "season"- has been kind of surreal for me. Honestly, at times I didn't know what to do, how to feel. So anyway, this year, on Thanksgiving Eve, Christmas Eve day, and New Years Eve, I once again found myself in a grocery store. But this time it was VERY different. I was shopping not working. And guess who I ran into every time---the Frito-Lay man. Ironic?

And my wife and two boys have endured a lot with me through those years. Many holiday "eves" spent without me, because I was out working. This last New Years Eve was this first in my boys' memories that Dad was actually home--not out selling chips.

Now let me say this --I am NOT complaining at all. Those 25 years were priceless. It was a very good living. I learned a ton. Yes, I worked hard. But I loved it. That many years working with the public, your bound to learn a few things--especially about people. A lot of character traits forged through those years.

So now I find myself on the Element team. And, guess what, most of the same principles apply. I've learned a ton over the last five months, and SO much yet to learn. Bring it on! I am VERY blessed to be here, doing this. I am humbled. I am pumped. Greater thing are yet to come--greater things are yet to be done!

Work hard, play hard, sleep hard! And then do it all over again.

Grant