Answers: Rememberances by Laurel Heaverly Heiss
- Laurel Hevverl Heiss
- May 3
- 6 min read
What was your Best Boss like? 03/23/2021
My best boss was actually two bosses, both from the same location: Trader Joe’s #664 in Nashville, TN!
When we moved to Nashville in August of 2012, Stu was very adamant that I get a job as soon as possible, and I felt very under pressure to do so! I was spending every waking hour unpacking, mostly alone, while he worked after setting up his office in a hurry. I was getting our little apartment in order as fast as I could, job-searching during my breaks. I felt very inadequate for the work options presenting themselves, but went ahead and tried my best to do some form of resume that explained my work history, from my first official gig at age 16, working at Deerpath Theater in Lake Forest, IL, my banking gig, music gigs, to JPUSA work history, church planting, and pastoral duties. I also had to figure out how to explain my school experience at some college, and also a certification in pastoral counseling. That was a rugged task for me!
Stu (husband) wanted me to bring in a certain amount of money per year, and I was having a difficult time seeing how that was going to happen, given my lack of a college diploma and living in TN, a place that was well known for many low minimum wage jobs that required huge amounts of effort.
I had gone on a few job interviews, impressing the interviewers, but was offered horrible wages and gigs too far from where we lived, and I was growing more and more distressed.
Our local Trader Joe’s was always such a place of welcome and merriment, familiar and friendly, and I began to wonder if I should try to get a job there, not being at all familiar with the process. I worried that I was too old, too weak, too short, not enough, and was also deeply concerned that I couldn’t pull off learning how to deal with the cash register.
I began my undercover investigation! I asked every short, Black, Asian, or rather older-looking female crew member how it was working there, every time I shopped there, which was at least once or twice a week! Every single one of them gave me glowing reports on how great it was, and when they learned I was considering applying, was highly encouraged to give it a shot! So, I did! I got an application, went home and filled everything out, brought it back in, and was told by the HUGE man behind the customer service desk that they were currently hiring and doing interviews, so it would probably be a few weeks before I heard back about coming in for an interview, if my application warranted it.
After about 4 days, I got the call to come in for an interview, and when I did, it was with that HUGE man I had met. He felt super intimidating as I followed him down to the break room, past everyone on break, and into the front of a large back area, where an interview table and chairs had been set up. I was so nervous, but I did my best to answer all the inquiries from Captain John, as I learned he had been called. Cap’t John’s questions were so unusual, respectful, funny, and intuitive that I found myself relaxing, smiling, and really enjoying our conversation.
I learned so much about him, our common history of living in Aurora, how he had actually set up every single Trader Joe’s that I had shopped at in Illinois, all about the company, and expectations of me if hired. When asked what my concerns might be, John told me stories that assured me that my shortness, (others there were even shorter) my age (the oldest working crew member in Trader Joe’s history was still working out in California, at age 80, in charge of “Demo” and was known as The Treasure of the Company) and my concern over learning the register, were not going to be a problem.
Then he went on to comfort me in my chief concern: being available for family emergencies, with four very elderly mothers who counted on me, especially to come if they needed me. He went on to explain that he had just spent six weeks at bedside with his son, who had been in dire physical and emotional need of his support, and that “Family is always first” at his Trader Joe’s. I really was blown away! At the end of the interview, Cap’t John told me it would be at least two weeks before I heard back, which was fine with me because I was still unpacking and getting our place together.
Two DAYS later, John called, saying that he really wanted me to join his crew and was encouraging me to come in as soon as possible! I was flabbergasted! I came in the next day, and John told me that because I didn't have a college degree, all he could offer me was twelve dollars an hour to start, with a chance at raises every six months, and after ninety days, FULL health insurance with other great perks, like free Y membership, and as many hours up to forty per week. I told him that Stu really wanted me to have either Saturday or Sunday off, and John agreed, which was unusual for a new crew member, but he gave me that grace. He also told me not to worry about being short, that his wife was about my size and did great for many years working at Trader Joe’s, and I would as well. John gave me all the Trader Joe’s shirts in the colors I wanted, found me a locker I could reach, and welcomed me to the Crew.
It was a huge learning curve for me, for sure, and having to come in for work at the literal crack of dawn was really hard, but I did it! John assigned Jeremy Harwell as my Mate (assistant boss) to train me on the register and all the other Trader Joe's biz. Jeremy was the kindest human I have ever known, taking time to answer all my questions, helping me relax in the learning register, and encouraging me in every way possible. One day, he said he really wanted me to be his life coach because he was so impressed by the way I engaged with others.
Jeremy and I became fast friends and remain so to this day. He visited us at our apartment, and he and I picked tons of figs from the tree in our front yard together. He later invited Stu and me over for dinner and a celebration of his engagement, and he has an open invitation to his and his husband Michael’s home to visit anytime we want, with a room ready for us!
Jeremy and John both continued to point out every positive thing they observed about me the entire time I worked at Trader Joe’s, they encouraged me to share all my ideas, to involve myself in learning any and everything about making our store a better place, encouraged me like no other humans ever, to be FULLY ME, and also gave me the maximum raises possible every year I worked with them. They were also honest with me about how I could improve and grow in my work, in a caring, positive way. As soon as they could, they worked out the hours and days that worked best for me and supported me whenever I needed it.
They listened to me about concerns about our store and let me put my ideas into practice. John nicknamed me “Floral Laurel” because of my love for plants, and let me work with them every day. Jeremy saw how good I was with cooking and keeping the demo area clean and welcoming, and let me work there as much as I desired. John listened to me when I was concerned about him re-injuring his back, and let me work low while he worked high while re-stocking together. Both John and Jeremy would call on me to help comfort other crew members or customers who were stressing out, and they thanked me every time they saw me doing so on my own initiative.
They encouraged me to sing and dance, laugh and even pray with others at our store. They loved and celebrated me, the FULL ON ME of me. They changed my life and gave me confidence and acceptance that I have never fully known from any other human beings. I am forever grateful to them and would return to work with them even now, which they have both made quite clear, will always be a wide, open door!
What a gift!
Laurel is a singer, songwriter, mentor, teacher, wife, mother, birth/labor coach, church planter, actress, dancer, writer, producer, crew member at Trader Joe’s Nashville, and founder of “Finding Hope,” a Skype-based counseling/life coach/mentoring program. As a follower of the teachings of Christ, Laurel has made it her life goal to welcome, encourage, and walk alongside others on the journey of discovering lasting hope, speaking truth in love, celebrating the wonders of life, love, and JOY of living, in working together on this amazing planet of ours with grateful and peaceful hearts.
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