I was born, raised, and still living in Fall River. Went to a vocational school for carpentry but with the weather in New England, I chose not to go that route. At 16 I started working for a supermarket chain(Stop&Shop). At 17 my goal was to become a produce manager. Now back in 1993 it wasn't easy even getting full time. But with some traveling, hard work, sacraficing and working 3rd shift for a year, I was working my way up. Back then especially this was a great union organized company with good wages and more importantly great benefits. By 21 I was an assistant mgr. in(at the time)new Raynham store. I turned down a few offers for my next promotion, only because the travel and certain sircumstances didn't make it benificial for me. I really enjoyed what I did, and working with new people and creating relationships with my regular customers was great no matter what store I was at. My possitive attitude,my pride in what I did and how I did it made me an asset for new store openings and remodels. People enjoyed working with me, store managers were glad to have me at their stores, and I was well known and had good repore with all the suits. A few months into 2011 I took my Produce Manager possition in Halifax, OH I KNOW, WHERE THE HECK IS HALIFAX? MY help was good but it took some time to get everyone on the same page but that's something I was good at even though there were some bumps and battles along the way. When that period was over, my department was running so smooth that if I could of done my order from home I would rarely have to go in.
My main goal was always keeping my customers happy and coming back. When they needed help or had any questions either myself or my now well trained employees were there to help in any way. I knew customers by first names and they enjoyed just chatting with me no matter which store I was working at.
I started thinking? What could I do where I could still meet knew people and maybe even help them in some way?
DING,DING,DING!!! REAL-ESTATE
So one morning I walk in to the Halifax Stoppy and tell the store manager to give our district manager a call and let him know that in few weeks I'm making a career change and will only be able to work a few hours a weeks. Up until now this has been the toughest desicion I've had to make. Everyone through out the company was shocked. I must of gotten 20 calls from past friends and colligues that next morning.
Not too long after I got my Real-Estate license and now work with SB&A Realty out of Fall River MA. Now I still hustle, I still have that pride I talked about earlier and I still get to meet and work with knew people. The difference is, I reap the rewards and I get to schedule my days according to my needs.
There's my last 18 years....NOW LET'S SELL SOME HOUSES!!!
Best wishes and good health to all.
Derek Furtado
