A Milestone...40 Years...

40 years ago this past Saturday, yes, FOUR. DECADES. I started a part-time job at a market research call center (known as Survey Center back then) to fund my college education. Our job was to reach out to consumers across the country on weeknights and weekends, gathering information about their shopping habits, food and beverage preferences, favorite restaurants, and their thoughts on our country and its presidents. Little did I realize at the time that this job would become a lifelong journey, making me somewhat of an anomaly in the process…. who works for the same company for 40 years these days? ??

So how did 40 years at Shapiro+Raj happen? So many reasons but let me start with how I carry my Dad's words with me every single day: "Show up, work hard, contribute." These were the values he instilled in us through his own actions. Some of you may be familiar with this story. My Dad grew up during the Great Depression and shouldered the responsibility of being the "man of the house" at the tender age of six. He took on odd jobs from a young age, including selling programs at Wrigley Field, where he would later meet my Mom when the Bears played there in the 1960s. He was a Korean War veteran and eventually became a carpenter, initially working for a local woodworking company before landing a position at the Chicago Board of Education, where he traveled between schools, building and repairing various structures. He was the sole provider for our family, putting my four brothers and me through Catholic elementary and high school. He often offered his time and carpentry skills to our Catholic church, trading them for a tuition discount. He consistently demonstrated the importance of showing up, working hard, and making a meaningful contribution.

And these values that I learned from my parents are the same values Shapiro+Raj holds every team member to. And why my 40 years would not have been possible without the incredible mentors I have had along the way who embody these values. How lucky I am that at the very start of my 40 years I had the opportunity to learn from the great minds of Leo Shapiro, George Rosenbaum, Matthew Smith , and Phil Johnson who were at the helm back then to Zain Raj who in 2014 bought the company (and kept ‘Shapiro’ on the door….that shows deep respect for Leo that I admire so much) as well as the senior leadership team both past and present. I would be remiss if I didn’t include the great team of “Zainiacs” at S+R who inspire me every day as well as the wonderful client partners I have had the honor of working with. Each of you has taught me so much and it’s been a privilege to work alongside you and learn from you. You have enabled me to think big and aim high. You have helped me grow and find my purpose and passion all while having my back to help me succeed. You have provided me with opportunities to redefine my role and reinvent myself. I may be at the same company for 40 years but throughout these years my responsibilities have grown: from being a call center interviewer to a supervisor, a manager, a field director, an account director, director of our quantitative research operations, and most recently, senior director of marketing and communications at Shapiro+Raj.

I consider myself incredibly fortunate to be at Shapiro+Raj for four decades. I take great pride in the work I have accomplished, both individually and collectively with my colleagues. And it goes without saying that I am deeply grateful to the mentors I have had along the way, and most importantly both of my parents, my Dad in particular, for teaching me the importance of showing up, working hard, and making a meaningful contribution.

Wow has it been a wonderful ride…and this week I am grateful that I get to celebrate with my family at our annual trip to the lake...my happy place.