The Belle Becomes a Businesswoman

Wondering about the name of my blog? Here's the scoop!

When I was 16, I got my first job at a popular local attraction (that will remain nameless for this blog). Little did I know that I would still be working at that company YEARS later.

During high school and my undergraduate studies at the University of Georgia (go dawgs!) I worked as a southern belle at the attraction - hoop skirt, pantaloons and all! I loved this part-time job. I got paid to dress up and have people tell me I looked pretty all day long. Can't beat that! Eventually I was promoted to assistant lead of the area I worked in.

That's me!

I look so young...

When I graduated with my undergrad degree, I started doing some work for the HR office in their training department. When I started my graduate degree, I was offered a formal internship in the HR office.

My first "office" - the break room in the HR department.
Heck I was just happy to be working indoors and in the air-conditioning.
So happy in fact, that I didn't mind sharing a space with the
fridge and a microwave that kept running when you opened the door.
Fancy office, hu?

After I graduated with my Masters in Human Resources, I moved over to the corporate office that owns the above mentioned attraction, as well as many other attractions around the country.

I was the "face of the company." The first person everyone saw
when they walked into the corporate office. Sounds very
important, right? I also answered the phone, made coffee and
passed out the mail...we gotta all start somewhere!
 

In late 2009 I was laid off when the economy tanked. I started my blog in 2010, right after I had been hired back by the same company for a different position. My early blog posts talk about my "trials and tribulations" of my early days in a corporate setting. When I go back and read those posts I get embarrassed. I was so lame. (Hopefully all bloggers feel this way and are embarrassed by their early posts?) Eventually I found my grove in my new position and I ended up LOVING my job. Sure, there were boring days and stressful days. But I loved the work, the people and the company.

So professional.

 

After I had my son I couldn't bring myself to go back to work full time. Sadly, I had to leave my job at the corporate office. But God wasn't ready for me to leave the company altogether. The "un-named attraction" called me and offered me a great job back at their HR office, where I could make my own hours and work as much or as little as I wanted. What a blessing! I'm loving this job (and the chance to wear nice clothes and talk to adults for a few hours each week).

I'm not sure I'll ever leave this company and I'm excited to see where I'll end up years from now. Manager? VP? President? CEO? :) Ha! My career ambitions aren't that high. But I'm proud to be part of such a wonderful company!