"End of an Era"

Otherwise known as "Mark has a new job!"


















Mark had been working at Ace Hardware for 7 years. Seven long years.
When we first moved here, he was working construction, until he injured his rotator cuff. Then he started at Ace. After about three years there, he was promoted to manager, and had been filling that role very well, earning the respect of all of his employees and customers.

For the most part, he liked his job. But the un-most parts were really, really stressful. There is much that could be said about why it became a very difficult place to work, but I will refrain from being unkind.

Needless to say, when a job opportunity with Hillman Group came along, we were both cautiously optimistic. Mid-June, he applied for the position of sales rep for the state of Alaska...with the backing of the Hillman employee he would be replacing. The end of June and beginning in July had Mark jumping through hoops of paperwork, interviews, and background checks. And had us praying, and praying, and praying some more...along with beseeching everyone to pray along with us that if this was God's will, that he would get the job.

There was much rejoicing when his new boss called! Well, rejoicing at our house. Not so much rejoicing down at Ace. Anyway.

He started in August with the current sales rep, learning the ropes for a month. Hillman Group sells fasteners to hardware stores...and the sales rep is responsible for visiting each store at specificed intervals (big, busy stores once a week, some stores only every other week, etc) to inventory their stock and then place the appropriate order to fill their supply. He has a handy-dandy machine that allows him to do this in relatively little time.

He then places their order online. He communicates with store managers. He knows exactly how to best service them, because, well, he was in their shoes for six years! He tries to set up new accounts with new places of business, which are a more time consuming...but the commissions reflect the effort.

So far, it's been fantastic. He has a company car, and the company pays for all of the maintenance, gas, and insurace, etc. Nice. They have great benefits. He is much less stressed out. And while he's been gone overnight a few times (every other week he flies to Fairbanks, and he's setting up a new store in Ketchikan), for the most part he's home much more. He leaves about the same time as he would any other day...actually sometimes not leaving till 7 p.m. Drives to his store(s) for the day...almost all are done in under 2 hours. And then he drives home, places the order online, and is relatively done for the day. Nice. It's working for us. God is faithful to provide what we need, when we need it!!!

Who knew I could write such a lengthy post about one picture of a hat in the trashcan? :)