Grateful Is A Thing

I am aware that I have not written anything in a while. Actually, I have, I just decided not to post it at the time. My Dog has me on a strict schedule, I sincerely believe she can tell time as she seems to know when its 5pm or close enough. But today I find myself once again, happily content and grateful. Grateful is a theme for me as of late. Grateful to be able to spend time with friends, pets and family especially. Grateful for peace of mind, grateful to be in a position to help others. Next month I will celebrate two years with Sephora. I’m not mentioning it for attention but I do think most people think I’ve worked for this company a million years! I have not! But in these two years I have found myself really grateful that they found me. Thanks Jacquie! And I’m grateful that my background and my passions set me up for a new role which took me across the country to an area I would have otherwise simply admired from afar or added to a bucket list.?

Within my first month with Sephora a co worker brought me a dog. Let me just tell you, I love dogs! But being a retail manager, I never really allowed myself to embrace the idea of owning a pet. Being gone for 10-12 hours a day, leaving the dog alone all day, unexpected visits, middle of the night alarms and during Covid the massive amount of call outs causing me to roll up my sleeves and just stay at work. (Essential Worker Status) I would just feel guilty about the lack of attention the supposed pet would have. But someone brought me the cutest but dysfunctional little dog. Her name is Sky, also know. As Sky Blue Tailwagger and often simply called “little dog.” She answers to all of that and also responds to precious, cutie, and baby doggy. She is a miniature schnauzer and is actually shorter than average. She was definitely the runt of the litter.

Sky forced me to leave work when scheduled to leave, she forces me to get up and be active multiple times a day, she has forced me to meet neighbors and actually stop and make small talk. If you know me, you know I’m not one for small talk or being too friendly with neighbors. I enjoy my boundaries. Sky says no ma’am!?

Sephora was kind enough to allow me to move into recruitment and to do remote work. I moved across country with Sky, she flew first class to her new home and received a lot of recognition for not disturbing anyone the entire flight! She’s a good doggy!

Upon arrival in the PNW we realized everyone in the building has a dog just about. People would ask her name and still don’t know mine. That’s hilarious! The lady that tends the garden at the church along our walks always asks “how’s Scott today? And the Principal at the school next door calls us the Diva and the feisty one…. I’m not sure which one is who??

At any rate, never have I ever had a pet live with me for this long but also never have I ever been able to be attentive, have a great work /life balance and the peace of mind at the end of my workday to walk my dog, spoil her and claim not one iota of guilt. This dog is rotten! Yesterday she took her first trip into a Sephora in Seattle. She put on her best outfit, had a fresh hair cut and once again was drawing attention from every corner of the universe. Not to brag or anything but she is very protective of her owner. She hears and sees everything and alerts me to trouble. Sometimes she stops me dead in my tracks to let me know there’s one of those stroller things coming. Makes me laugh every time!

I am beyond grateful that my work situation has improved so much these last two years, I can’t wait to see what the next year brings.

My wish for all the retail leaders out there, is for them to know their “why’s” and for them to realize "the why" is the priority! Family, Friends and Pets over everything!

I’m Cheryl, retail guru with over 30 years in this industry (I was a baby when I began) and having served in every capacity inside brick and mortar retail. If you have a question, or need retail career advice just send?me a direct message and I’ll be happy to help!

PS: I’m not the corporate recruiter. I recruit for leaders inside of our retail stores exclusively. Good Luck to you all!

Also, if you’d like to see more of SkyBlueTailwagger follow the hashtag #skywalks?or #skybluetailwagger on Meta and IG.