Have you ever said thank you to a great boss?
Have you ever had a great boss? One who has taught you a lot, was a true leader, and helped to mold you into who you are today?
Boss’s Day is today (October 16th this year) and while it may not be a national holiday, it does make for a nice opportunity to say thank you to someone who was (or is) a great boss!
for the Hallmark Easter Open House in the early 1990s.
I worked for Jim and Dorothy Roberts for several years and learned a great deal from them. They were a great team and each possessed their own unique qualities that turned me into a strong retail manager, gift buyer, and leader.
Their Hallmark, Gift, and Office Supply store (Roberts Variety then Roberts Hallmark) was a beloved Napa landmark for over 35 years and I was honored to be a part of their business.
The way they ran their business was all about the customer relationships they built and the quality gift items they carried. Being one of the largest and “best” Gold Crown Hallmark stores in California even earned the store a visit from the president of Hallmark!
They were never afraid to try new product lines and changed with the times. They started out as a variety store and “grew” from there. They had high expectations from their employees (as one might imagine) but that was because they had their name on the front of the store!
Jim and Dorothy were always supportive of the community by way of donations for schools, community events, and other fundraising needs, but moreover, Jim Roberts was physically active in the community.
Jim was recently seen all over television and in national newspapers for the number of playgrounds built in Napa through the Napa Kiwanis Club… they just built number 74! This was something he started and I know it is something he and his Kiwanis brothers and sisters are very proud of. (Click here to read the San Francisco Chronicle article!)
(Note: I could write a whole article on Jim’s community involvement but that is another subject altogether! This one is about awesome bosses.).
They have just completed playground number 74!
I had a great time working for them and am blessed to still have them as friends. In fact, after seeing them for a lunch visit recently, I mentioned it to a friend who referred to me as the Roberts’ “fifth child”. I smiled, laughed, and said, “Yes, their fifth child”. (Smiles).
Roberts was a wonderful place to shop (everyone’s favorite growing up!) and while I won’t give out their exact ages, I will say that they have both hit the “90” mark in their years.
They made the hard choice to sell their business back in 1995, but are STILL approached with fun and loving stories by former customers on a frequent basis. I would say that is quite a legacy!
Thank you, Jim and Dorothy (aka Mr. and Mrs. R) for your guidance and friendship!
Your turn to weigh in!
Have you ever worked for a great boss or do you now? What is your best memory or what stands out as the most important thing you learned from him/her?
Please leave your comments below!
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