Incredible Story: How Retail and a Giant Pumpkin Paved My Way Back to Work

People send us their return to work stories on a regular basis and
we read each and every one. We have always been, and continue
to be inspired by the resourcefulness, determination, and
thoughtfulness demonstrated by relaunchers in their quest to return
to work. We wanted to share a story we found particularly
compelling, as the author, businesswoman and comedian Terry Sand,
has graciously given us permission to feature her as a guest
blogger.

How Retail and a Giant Pumpkin Paved My Way Back to Work: Success via Squash...Who Knew?

by Terry Sand

Just a few years ago I had to take a break from my speaking career to survive cancer and raise the most beautiful girl in the world. I returned to work by getting my fanny out of the
house and into working retail at the women's clothing
store Coldwater Creek (not exactly a direct application of my
Masters Degree in Theater and Modern Dance from UCLA). It was the
day to day connections with people that provided the fuel to power
my professional renaissance.

Currently, I am an Executive Lifestyle Director at Moldaw Family Residences. The Moldaw is an senior
"non-retirement" community and considered a pioneer
in the "aging industry" with a
multi-generational approach built into an extended neighborhood
campus. Here our Residents volunteer in our onsite preschool,
work on political campaigns, attend programs with high school
students, are learning to work the cameras for our local talk show
that just happens to be hosted by me, and so much more.

Here's how it happened: I left "the Creek" to accept a low level position with the Classic Residence by Hyatt Retirement Community as an Activity Coordinator. Next,
I moved into management at the Hyatt by imagining an activity where
our community would grow a giant pumpkin in our beautifully
landscaped courtyard.

Three-hundred and sixty-two pounds of vegetable later, our competitive pumpkin was entered into the locally famous Half Moon Bay Great Pumpkin Weigh Off contest in Northern California.
There I finagled press coverage of our Residents attending
the competition at 6:00 am to support their
"baby". This created great publicity
for our community, and within a few weeks sales soared and I was
promoted to management at the Hyatt. Several months later I
was recruited to the Moldaw at a much higher salary and executive
level as Lifestyle Director.

Yes, I have to say it, I moved my career, health, and life forward because of a squash. With over twenty-five years experience as a comedian/motivational speaker, I have lived volumes of lessons
learned, hope gathered, and life explored with great joy and
laughter.

You can view a small sample of my motivational experience at www.humortech.com

Thank you Terry for sharing this amazing story with us. A snapshot feature of Terry is on our

www.iRelaunch.com site here.

Photo Credit: http://www.bigoven.com

Interested in returning to work after a career break?
Register for our Career Relaunch Forum at
Kellogg/Northwestern U in Evanston , IL on April 22, and at
Jones/Rice U in Houston, TX on May 5. Carol and Vivian can be
reached at info@iRelaunch.com or follow us on
twitter www.twitter.com/iRelaunch


Originally posted on: http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/life/incredible-story-how-retail-and...