Lessons from my First Employer

On this Giving Tuesday, we offer up a tribute to my very first employer, Michael Kaplan - the former owner of the Midtown Deli and Bagel Shop in Savannah, GA. A man who gave much to me, whether he realized it or not. I learned that he passed away last week and have been reflecting on the impact he had on me and how he helped shape the foundation of my work ethic as a young man.?

The Beginning. After turning 16 my mom politely "suggested" that I get a job, and she knew just the person?for an introduction. She worked as an administrator at a local university and had used her role to help a student through some difficulties. That student, Michael, had just taken over his father’s business and was in need of some help. So, she drove me across town to meet Michael and fill out an application.?When he came over, I stopped writing, introduced myself and attempted to make polite conversation. We spoke for a few minutes before he informed me that I was hired and there was no need for me to complete the application. My mom had made such an impression on him he hired me simply because I was attached to her – and that?probably kept him from firing me a few times as well!

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***Lesson #1: There are no "self-made" people. This lesson continues to serve me to this day. Because of Michael's connection to my mother, because she had helped and served him well in her administrative role, he was willing to give me a chance, a job, and years of patience. I keep this in mind often, and I love connecting people when I think one can help another. I’m open to new connections when I think I may be able to help someone. And nearly all the business I do is because someone knows me and refers a client to me. Every "successful" person you know has been the recipient of help somewhere along the way - no one gets where they are going by themselves.?So be kind, be patient, be helpful. It will pay off - but maybe not in the way you think.?

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Lesson #2: Expectations. The Midtown Deli had a self-serve coffee station with a variety of coffee and condiments. On one of my shifts Michael asked me to restock the coffee station. The container?for the sugar packets held AT LEAST 1000 individual packets of sugar. We could last a full week without refilling it. However, Michael liked everything in the store to be fully stocked at all times. I ignored his instruction and just “fluffed” the packets and moved on to the next task. Michael walked by the coffee station and said to me, “I thought I asked you to restock this.” “I did,” I responded. Michael looked me square in the eye and said, “Every time I ask you to do something, my expectations get lower and lower.” Now, 16 year old me was too arrogant to care that I had disappointed him, but clearly this conversation stuck with me and has encouraged me to work harder and better at every task I take on. Setting clear expectations and helping others meet them is essential and an art form.

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Lesson #3: Getting what you pay for.?Michael?was generous when he hired me and paid me fifty cents above minimum wage - $7.50 an hour - for what was considered a minimum wage job. I don’t recall exactly what I was doing or had done, but Michael was displeased with my effort. So, he asked me, “Do I pay you minimum wage?” “No sir,” I replied. Again, looking me dead in the eyes he said, “Then I don’t expect minimum effort” before he turned and walked away. Aligning our expectations with what we pay for is important - as an employee, employer, client, and customer. When we pay more than average, we should expect better than average service. When we pay the bare minimum, it is only reasonable to?expect bare minimum results.?

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Lesson #4: Value?One day one of the mustard bottles was empty and I was attempting to get every last drop of mustard out so as not to waste any - an effort I thought would be approved. After watching my well-intentioned struggle for a couple of minutes Michael came over and asked what I was doing. I told him and he asked, “How much do you think that amount of mustard cost?” Of course, I didn’t know. “Less than a penny. You’re spending more than you’re saving,” Michael responded. It took me a while to understand this lesson on value, but now as a business owner I try to keep this in mind as I navigate decisions for my business. Am I stepping over dollars to pick up pennies??We must consider what adds value, what subtracts value, and where is my time best spent for the value of the clients I serve.?

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Lesson #5: Do not let school get in the way of your education. For the duration of time Michael employed me I was in high school and college. We were talking about school one day, reading for pleasure versus assigned reading, and what I thought I had time for outside of school. He encouraged me to pursue my own “education” outside of what school was assigning. This was a catalyst for the pursuit of a lifetime of learning and further education in areas of interest. We believe that pursuing one's own passion and learning are imperative. Perhaps that happens in a school setting, perhaps it doesn't - but the onus is on each individual make it happen. Travel, read, listen, engage, try, fail, learn - school is neither the beginning nor the end of one's education.?

My time working for and learning from Michael?was formative for me. I was young (16-20 years old),?simultaneously capable but over-confident, smart but naive, but he was still willing to teach. His lessons continue to serve me to this day, and I am grateful for them and his willingness to pass them along. I work to embody these lessons and continue to pay them forward as a way to honor him and the impact he had.?

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