Lucky #13

Lucky #13

Today, I celebrate 13 years of service to the Do it Best family.

Before accepting my job offer, I met Randy Rusk at a job fair in downtown Mesquite, Nevada. His authentic description of the purposeful and challenging work performed by the Do it Best team made me feel like I had a chance to be a part of something truly special.  

The new career opportunity came with a stomach ache and a few sleepless nights. I felt like a bundle of nerves my first day, but the warm welcome I received quieted my fears.

Not unlike other 23-year-olds, my dreams were pretty big. I wanted to be the first in my family to earn a graduate degree. I aspired to leadership. I craved adventure.

My co-workers and leaders willingly invested in me very early on. I suppose this came naturally to them since they were already personally committed to the growth of our members. They cared about me and my dreams. Without them, I may never have taken the first scary, risky steps required for goal-achievement:

·        Graduate degree – my colleague and friend Kelly Stezowski went back to school together. Her support and drive encouraged me to enroll and to work hard throughout the entire program.

·        Leadership - investing in others through leadership development training is the best work I’ve done. Dr. Henry Cloud reminds us all that the opposite of bad is not good; it’s love. I love learning with and from the leaders of our company.

·        Adventure – moving twice has been a gift to me and my sweetheart (Elijah, my husband of 13 years). We’ve experienced new places. New friends have become more like family. The journey has not been pain-free, but no worthwhile endeavor is. We’ve grown closer and stronger together.

At 35, I still have big dreams. There’s something to be said for that. Our team’s focus on continuous improvement motivates me to keep growing. I never feel like I’ve arrived. There’s always more to learn and experience.

Dalton Raney, thank you for inviting me to be a part of the team in Mesquite. It was the start of something I haven’t yet dreamt, and I’m excited for what’s to come.