Her Story
About Laverne
I have been working in retail since 1992, nearly 40 years now, and I currently serve as a customer service representative at Walmart, a position I've held for 24 years. Before this, I was a supervisor for 16 years, overseeing cashiers and managing money distribution throughout the store. Earlier in my career, I also worked as a CNA for about 3 years, taking care of the elderly in a nursing home. My main area of expertise is problem solving - I have people who come to me upset and irritated because something went wrong, and I'm able to calm them down and get a solution to their problem. In my day-to-day work, I handle money counting, money transfers, check cashing, and bill payments. What I truly enjoy about retail is the atmosphere and being of service to other people - I've met people from all over the world. I also have a passion for writing poetry and stories, something I've been doing since I was young. I write poetry for people, like if husbands need a poem for their wives, and I'm hoping to branch out soon and have something published. I have received an excellent customer service award for giving outstanding customer service. My professional background includes certification in accounting, a cosmetology license, and business courses at a technical college.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Laverne
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to all of the good teachers that I came across during my young years. Teachers had pushed me to succeed and who motivated me.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise them to learn how to have patience. Working with the public isn't easy. Sometimes you're gonna have some people who come in who just aren't happy, and they're gonna take their unhappiness out on you. You have to learn how to stay focused, continue to greet them with a smile, and try to make the person's day better.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Right now, one of the biggest challenges is finding people that want to work. People don't have a work ethic anymore, and nobody wants to hang in there long-term. On the flip side, there are a lot of opportunities in the field. There are management opportunities, opportunities to go back to school and further your education with the company, and opportunities where you can do some traveling for the company and experience another side of the company.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty, being respectful, and just having good morals.
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