Carolyn Andrews, 35

Designer

Northern Building Supply / Suttons Bay, Mich. 

 Finding a Company That Values You: 

The breaking point for me was when I had my son. I went on maternity leave at my old job, where I had been working for three years. When I came back, my bosses had distributed some of my accounts to other coworkers with the intention of them retaining the accounts. When I questioned this, I was advised to “put myself out there and start knocking on doors.”

I asked myself, “What am I doing right now? I’m not happy here, and they don’t value me at all.” I knew it was time to go.

After I was hired, I was given the consent to do what I thought necessary to establish my position. So right away, I gutted the showroom and redesigned it myself.

However, it created a deep, internal struggle. It’s not like I hated the company. I just lacked support from upper management. If encouragement isn’t coming from those who oversee you, where is it going to come from? When I interviewed with Northern Building Supply, my current company, I immediately felt a good vibe. The first part of their mission statement was that they’re a family-oriented company. They care about and encourage their employees.

After I was hired, I was given the consent to do what I thought necessary to establish my position. So right away, I gutted the showroom and redesigned it myself. I felt valued. The flexibility and trust my boss gave me started with my first day on the job. My self-worth was reestablished and I never looked back.

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