Thursday, August 4, 2022

THE NEW DOOR


Take a look in and I'll explain how the new job came about!!


There was no looking for a new job. I haven't looked for a job in probably 19 years!!! As a regular reader will tell you, I was happily employed with Bloomingdales as a Visual Display artist for 19 years, and then that career ended like so many others when the pandemic hit, and the company laid off over 2,000 of the support staff from the creative director on down. I then took almost a year off, till the vaccines came out, then my good friend, The Dame scooped me up to assist in her flower shop running the day-to-day operations, helping with events and displaying and helping with the shop and windows. We always had the agreement he wouldn't hold me back if another job came along. Then one day....

I got a call from my ex -Bloomingdales general manager from a couple years back. She had been upset when I left that location to one closer to Philadelphia, where I was living in Bucks County. Well...she had heard I was moving back to Harrisburg and had a job for me I might want to pursue. Just so happens one of the stylists I used to work with, also called the day after she called, about the same job. And then yet one other. Within one week, someone from this company reached out, as the ex-manager I know works for them, and is already a VP of Customer Care for the region. She told the recruiter to be on the lookout for my resume submission, and they'd be a fool not to call. Within one week, was called, had a phone interview, then a in person in interview, and was then offered a Visual Showroom Coordinator, for a family owned, higher end home furnishings company that has stores in five eastern states here on the Right coast. The store manager of the Harrisburg store said she had to have me. The company is now opening 5 stores in the Central PA area, and I will be based out of the Harrisburg location, but will also oversee the visual people in the York and Mechanicsburg locations. The later to be opening in three weeks. It's been a whirl wind already...what with getting to know a new company, two store openings already, and managing my own showroom floor. I just couldn't pass up the salary they met that I stated, but even went beyond that....and a most lucrative benefits package with vacation time already.


So...out and off came all the work wardrobe again. The best part... again...no nights or weekends, and I basically can set my own schedule. While I love my new manager, and we do work hand in hand, she is not technically my boss, but the regional business manager is. So, I generally work my old shift at Bloomingdales again, and can have the rest of the day to myself. My job is basically keeping the showroom appealing, interesting, up to standards, staging the room vignettes, and I have control over the actually inventory of what we carry. If something isn't selling, I can floor sample it, and get it out to bring in a new collection. With my interior design background, the feel and layout and spacing planning comes easily. It's been very fun and rewarding already. Not to rub salt in, but I have a team of very hot men of color and hot papis in receiving who help get all the furniture ready for me and assist with floor moves. I basically walk around and say, "OK, take this sofa here and place like this, and take this console table over there along this wall." The company doesn't want us personally lifting and moving, so they hire big teams to help in receiving with such duties not to mention doing deliveries and other things. The one guy named Chris is like 6' 11". You know my inner Mae West wanted to ask how tall he was without his high tops. He replied, "Well Maddie, I'm 6' 11". To which I replied, Well, never mind the 6'. Let's go back here and discuss the 11". But I digress.


Of course, the only part that has had its challenge is the computer part. The programs we use are very dated and I'm not a tech savvy person, except for blogging and surfing porn!!!! But already that is starting to click and I'm grasping it. I told the manager one day I can't be at a screen all day like that, or I may send the whole thing through a plate glass window. But one day it just all clicked. She and I will get along just well, she likes her Hendricks as well. And the whole store staff couldn't be nicer. They all thought I seemed quiet. I told them, Oh just you wait till I'm comfortable. Wait till they get a load of me then!  So, I'm about four weeks in already, with exception to my P-town vacation. I also have the option to transfer to another store if there is an opening, like say, back in Bucks County or the Philadelphia market. Of course, the Dame is still stressing she hasn't found a replacement yet at the shop but might finally have a person in mind and told them they had big shoes to fill. My last visual boss at Bloomingdales was also a bit sad, has he had been hoping to bring me into the Center City Philadelphia Macy's as a visual stylist. He went there after getting laid off with all of us. While that store is legendary as the old John Wanamaker department store and is getting many remodels and updates, I told him I would have to have a list of demands met...like higher salary and a stiffen fund for houseboys' gin and transportation fees.  I mean if that would transpire, I would take an apartment in Center City Philly, or another place in Bucks County...like New Hope...and just take the train into the city. He said they could meet the salary and not sure about the benefits...and I despise Macy's. They are the reason we were laid off for in the first place. But that's another story.  I don't know I'd go back to department store environment again, as I sadly have to admit, it's a dying art and that form of business is just hurting too much. This new job feels more secure and will add yet another notch and more experience to my wheelhouse of my design background. Not to mention the company doesn't mind me doing my interior free-lance either. But I can't lie, it's a nice feeling when past people and co-workers at jobs still remember you and want or recommend you for a job. It's one reason I always tell anyone never, ever burn a bridge with anyone. Every job I ever had happened solely by word of mouth or a recommendation.


Of course, this mean that my Mondays will look once again, like above. 

How vivid Mondays have been. It's like they never left. I miss having the three-day weekends already.

Of course, I could always just go in later, take them off, and adjust my schedule to four longer days. So there's that.

52 comments:

  1. Not to sound motherly or condensing but couldn't be prouder for you!!! Over the years I know there were job lay offs, and you always seem to stay positive and rise like a phoenix out of ashes. You're an inspiration I swear. Good luck with this new venture. You certainly do have a wheelhouse of talent. The job sounds amazing.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. And if all else fails....i go back to stripping!!!!!!!!!

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  2. What Ms Agnes said, except I am going to sound motherly at least. I so freakin' proud of you that I could just squeeze the ever lovin' stuffing out of you!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Someone would stuff it back in for him.

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    2. You can squeeze me anytime Deedles!!!! Anne Marie use too!!!!

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  3. Anonymous8/04/2022

    Wow, I am so happy for you! Talent doesn't always get to be recognized, but thankfully in your case it is. Wish you all the very best in this new adventure. Hug you.

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    1. πŸ’‹πŸ’‹πŸ’‹πŸ’‹πŸ’‹πŸ’‹

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  4. Anonymous8/04/2022

    HuntleyBiGuy:
    I’m so happy for you. It sounds like a wonderful opportunity. You do have to foster those working relationships. Many years ago I was let go in a reorganization. A former co-worker in the same company suggested me for a different position. The company flew me out to LA to interview with the manager of the department. A few days later they offered me the job without having to relocate, which included a nice little salary bump. Though I was away from the company longer than what was allowed to be considered a rehire, and hence retain my original date of hire (and associated benefits), I asked for and was granted that hire date.

    So don’t burn bridges, and don’t be afraid to ask for what you need.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I never try to burn a bridge....yoi never know when your going to need someone or a favor. I very seldom burn one...unless it unavoidable.

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  5. Sounds like a great move, a change of scene and being treated nicely.

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  6. Congrats, love. You deserve this. How exciting. I look forward to future postings all about what it's like to be a career girl in the post COVID world. May there be many a gin and tonic in your future. Kizzes.

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  7. Well good for you, hunk. Enjoy it! πŸ˜‰

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  8. Congrats! So, what is the name of this new High-End retailer, just in case I wish to add some new accoutrements to semi-high-end home.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well...it begins with a R and the second name begins with a F.

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  9. Congrats, Mistress! I'm not surprised that you're in demand, with many vying for your talents. Oh, and that you got a good job too! Way to go!

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    Replies
    1. I'd be more worry if people didn't talk about me!!!!!

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  10. Congrats! Sounds like the new job hits all your many talents dead on; furniture, interior design, fashion, tall hot men. It's a win-win.

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    Replies
    1. Now if porn could be worked in.........somehow.

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  11. It sounds like everyone wants a piece of you - I'm not surprised!
    Congratulations!!!
    Sx

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  12. Anonymous8/04/2022

    Good things happen to good people.
    Jimmy

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  13. Add one more congratulations!

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  14. Pat Lark8/04/2022

    That's wonderful, Maddie! Congrats. It really is nice to not have to search for a job, isn't it. My last position was like that. Hugs and smooches!!

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  15. Congrats on the new job! I'd also stay away from the big department stores for the time being. Macy's is hurting where I'm at. They closed the location in my old 'hood, and the central one near where I live wasn't busy when I bought my Victorinox watch last year.

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    1. As much as I LOVE department store visual.....its just not reliable or a safe position anymore. And I DEPLORE Macy's. They are going to bring down Bloomines one day. A shame.

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  16. Yay!
    They're lucky to have you! Your creativity and know-how are only surpassed by your charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent. Congrats!
    The package sounds nice, too. Love that journey for you.
    Also: "I told him I would have to have a list of demands met...like higher salary and a stiffen fund for houseboys' gin and transportation fees. " we are one and the same.

    XOXO

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your too sweet to call me a cunt!!!! We do think the same. I wonder if during sex we reach for the same thing first?!?!?! LMAO!!! Bit thank you for the wishes Six.

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  17. An expanding business is better than same old, same old. I am sure you are just the person to persuade customers to throw out that plastic covered settee and put in a couch with chic by the excellence of your room vignettes

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    Replies
    1. And that's the best part...I yet again don't deal with customers. Unless a sales professional wants or needs to bring me in to assist.

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  18. It's all about "bed" and "interiors" with you, dear.

    Congratulations! Queen of All She Surveys, again... Jx

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    1. πŸ’‹πŸ’‹πŸ’‹πŸΈπŸΈπŸΈ

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  19. Anonymous8/04/2022

    Tundra Bunny here... Congratulations on the new job, Mistress Maddie! I'm sure your floor displays will be fabulous! And furniture is one of the retail areas where the merch must be seen and tried out in person before purchased -- especially beds and sofas, LOL!

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    Replies
    1. Don't give some of these boys any ideas Tundra!!!! But agree, beds need to be tested!!!

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  20. I've said it before and bares repeating...It's hard to keep a good bitch down.

    Congrats of the new job!!!! It's been a changing year for you for sure.

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  21. Couldn't be happier for you! You won't admit it, but you have more common sense and a good, smart and insightful head then you know. Your gut instinct is always right on. You always seem to make the right move.

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  22. Does this mean I can come in and get you in bed and try them out?!?! I just you'd find just the right job. Im sure you ace it in no time. Congrats Maddie!!!!!

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  23. Congratulations on this new opportunity! This career move is a perfect fit for you, I'm so excited on your behalf! It's seems each job you have adds a nice little luster to your resume also. And that Mae West line had me in stiches.

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    Replies
    1. Your right. I feel each job takes me in a good direction. Thank you Magpie.

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  24. and the new job isn't on your back?!?!?!?!?!?!

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    Replies
    1. I can stand and still do things. I'm a multi tasker.

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  25. Yes...lets have champagne!!!!!!!

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  26. I know you'll be successful wherever you go, best wishes for this new job opportunity. And with your background?!? It would be nice to have you back in Philly though, lol!!!!

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  27. Your new job sounds like an incredible opportunity, and I know you're going to make the most of it. We shouldn't be surprised should we.

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  28. Anonymous8/06/2022

    Congratulations on your new position. Sounds like a perfect fit...great hours...good benefits...sexy men in the backroom! LOL! So happy for you!

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  29. All of your hard work led to this moment, enjoy the rewards of your efforts. From what Ive seen, you got some great talents.

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  30. Congrats!!!!!! You certainly have a new life this year. How nice too that you can possibly have the option to move back again to the Philly area if you choose.

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  31. We were hoping your next move would be porn...but this is great too!!!! So happy for you! You'll kill it.

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  32. I hope I am not too late to join the conga line of congratulations! Just don't do any CODs

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  33. I swear, you are like Auntie Mame...you always come up smelling like flowers. Much luck and good wishes for the new beginning. I can imagine your friend the Dame will miss you daily at the flower shop.

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Go ahead darling, tell me something fabulous!