Do you know how to use a computer? Are you willing to answer the phones? Are you okay with heavy lifting? These were 3 simple questions asked during my interview for this job that seemed to have simple answers: “Yes, Yes, & Yes!” Little did I know how many variations these simple questions would take on.
We here at CourageInStone.com joke about what my title actually is. Some days I use “Admin” others I am “Sales”, and often times I am “Marketing Manager.” The boss even had a sign made up proclaiming me “Executive Vice President of Logistics aka: Nosy Overseer Of All Things (NO OAT)” because that seemed to fit my personality the best. I like to have my hand in everything having to do with the day to day operations of this business. Don’t get me wrong – I have my limits (remember from last time, I don’t like cleaning) – but mainly if it needs to get done, I will jump in to do it.
Before coming on board here I had never worked for a small business. For a time I was an independent contractor (aka: lone wolf) and I also worked for corporations where no one knew my name or even cared to learn it. Being part of a small business team means just that, team. It is truly a case of “there is no I in team” around here. On any given day I will do most if not all of the following:
– Answer phones for orders or questions
– Make phone calls to clarify orders or questions
– Email customers or vendors about orders and questions
– Meet with the boss about orders and questions (do you see the pattern yet???)
– Help pack and ship outgoing orders to our fabulous customers
– Unpack and put away incoming inventory (30,000 stones in 4 hours, can you say heavy lifting?)
– Research any and all marketing strategies to get people “in the know” about CourageInStone.com
– Research our customers on Facebook (if you can see me, I gotta see you!)
– Make an afternoon run for “sweet treats” for the office
– Write funny, witty, entertaining, interactive blogs (wink,wink)
– Build furniture; desks, bookshelves and Ice Cream Parlor table and chair sets, as needed
Okay that last one was a newer one added to my list a few weeks ago and I swear I never saw it coming, but as you can see from the photographic evidence I jumped right in and helped make it happen.
There are of course a few things around here I won’t do:
– Pick up messes from the boss’ dog
– Pay the bills
– Wash windows (goes with that cleaning phobia I have)
So when people ask me what I do for a living, the answer that may seem simple – “I work for a small online retailer” – is so much more complicated than that and I personally wouldn’t have it any other way. I am proud to be the NO OAT!!!!!
CourageInStone 