How I Got Into the Surety Industry
In 1981, I was 19 years old and working full time at a day care and part time in fast food. One day, I came home from work and my mom had circled an ad in the classifieds (remember when we all read newspapers?). She told me it was time to get a “real” job.
I thought I already had two real jobs, but I called the office, scheduled an interview, and walked in with no idea what I was about to step into.
The Interview That Started It All
I arrived early and met a very kind woman at the front desk who said the manager would be in shortly.
As I waited in the front office, a woman came through the door like a whirlwind, yelling and cursing about something that had just happened. I froze, unsure what to do, until the same kind woman came back out and said, “Okay, Marcia will see you now.”
Wait a minute. You mean that woman who just stormed in like the Tasmanian devil is who I have to interview with? To say I was scared would be a huge understatement.
The next 30 minutes were a blur. I remember taking a typing test and being told I couldn’t type very well. I don’t remember much else except one thing: I wanted to work for her.
She intimidated me, but I knew I would learn a lot. I also assumed there was no way she would hire someone whose biggest accomplishment at 19 was holding the record for wrapping the most chili cheese dogs in 60 seconds at Der Wienerschnitzel. (Yep, that was me.)
The Start of a Career
I got the job, even though other people in the office told her she was crazy for hiring me.
I worked for Marcia on the surety side for many years, including after she opened her own agency. She became an incredible mentor. Even now, I still look to her for guidance with my own agency and continue to stay in touch.
She gave me a chance early in my career, taught me so much over the years, and is someone I deeply respect and appreciate.