Take The Lead

Hip-Hop and ballroom dancing collide in Take the Lead, opening April 7th everywhere. But you don't have to be a dancer to take the lead -- check out how these teens take the lead in their own lives.

My First Job At The Women's Shoe Store

2 Comments » March 20, 2006

When I turned 16 my dad left my mom and things got tighter around the house financially. I had to go get a retail job afterschool at Parade. Yes, Parade - the women's show store.

I tried keeping it secret from my friends but eventually they found out and began calling me Al Bundy, since he also worked at a women's shoe store. I didn't care though - I was making money for my family and even getting some gwap for my own pocket.

I decided to do my best at Parade. I treated all the women like queens, as if they were entering a spa, not just a store. If they could give me a tip, I'm sure they would have. In one quarter I sold 100,000 dollars worth of shoes - all by myself. I won an award for best employee in the city.

The award gave me a ridiculous amount of swagger. I went to my boss to to ask for a raise, and even though she loved my work she gave me the run around about getting more money! Parade has certain rules about how much you can get, and it's based alot on title and time spent at the store. So, since I was fairly knew, and too young to be a supervisor, I was stuck.

Don't cry for me though. I used my time at Parade to land me a better job in a bank, which is even better for me and my family. Of course my resume has my shoe selling record in bold letters! That's how I took the lead.

Submit how you take the lead to takethelead@sohh.com for a chance to win a college scholarship worth between $500-$1000!