I started my electrical contracting business when I was twenty-seven. It was just me, my beat up pick-up truck and the occasional helper working out of my garage. Twenty years later, I've got four trucks, twenty-two employees and lots of work. Diane was a pivotal part of my world but in April she decided to leave and take care of her new grandbaby. I was happy for her but scared for myself. My matronly office manager had been with me for over seventeen years and worked her magic so that I was free to be in the field with customers and crews as needed. Losing her would be a huge blow but I'd make due.
My initial plan was to enlist Carol, my accountant/HR lady to help me with the change and spread the load between us. It didn't take long for me to realize that Diane was some kind of Grand Master of Office Management that I had no clue on how to emulate. When Carol threatened to leave if we didn't find a replacement, I gave in and told her to start looking.
Two weeks passed and we hadn't found a qualified candidate. I was starting to lose hope. We'd looked at dozens of resumes but the applicants were not what I needed to fill the void. So to see Carol smiling at me when I returned from the field one late afternoon in May, I was hopeful she had some good news.
"Mike, I want you to take a look at this person's resume and application," she said, placing the papers on my desk.
"Do they look promising?" I asked with just a hint of skepticism.
"I think you'll like what you see," Carol replied stepping back and leaned against my door.
I sat down and looked over the papers in front of me and quickly noticed Elizabeth Billings was fresh out of college with a degree in business administration. "Okay she's got book learning but virtually no experience," I commented then read on, "Except for working at a plumbing business during her High School years; nothing since graduating." I sighed and looked at Carol knowing I couldn't be too choosy since we've struck out so far.
"Set up an interview and see what you think of her," I said offering the paperwork back.
Her smile broadened, "I already have. She's in my office right now. I think we've got a winner."
I stoked my chin and close cropped beard as I studied Carol's smiling face. She'd been with me along time too. Her husband John and I are good friends and I trusted her opinion so I guess I needed to meet Elizabeth for myself. What was the worst that could happen, she didn't stack up and the search was still on? I sat back in my chair and looked down at the piles of paperwork and files on my desk.
"Alright, send her in."
Carol made a jubilant hop then disappeared toward her office. I moved some of the files aside, making room for the new applicant's resume in front of me. I saw movement and Carol had returned with a petite young woman in tow. I rose from to my feet as Elizabeth entered and stood before my desk. My initial thought was, 'You've got to be kidding!' She looked like a twelve year old in business attire. I'd done some quick math in my head when I'd looked at her resume and knew she was in her twenties but my God she looked so young and so tiny. I guessed maybe 5'-3" but I couldn't tell how tall her heels were with the straight leg slacks she had on. And if she was more than a hundred pounds soaking wet, I'd be amazed. She was sharply dressed in a crisply ironed blouse and pants and had her cinnamon hair up in a tight bun. She smiled and extended a hand. I took her delicate hand in my meaty calloused paw, hoping not to crush it as I gave her a firm shake.
"I'm Mike Worthington, nice to meet you Elizabeth. Have a seat," motioning to a nearby chair.
"Nice to meet you too Mr. Worthington," sitting and crossing her legs, "but please, call me Beth."
Carol motioned she would leave and I nodded as she was closing the door. I looked back to Beth who was smiling at me with a sparkle in her eye that made me smile too. I felt myself becoming aroused and I wasn't sure why so I distracted that train of thought by looking down at her resume once more.
"I see you've recently graduated college," she nodded, "So what have you been doing since you finished?"
"Odd jobs mainly," she fidgeted, "I haven't found what I'm looking for in my field."
"I see you had some experience at a plumbing contractor..."
"That was my Dad's business. I worked for him since I was sixteen and only quit when I left for college."
"What exactly did you do for him?"
"I ran his office. I did everything from taking calls, filing, ordering products and materials, payroll and even scheduled appointments for him to meet customers," she proudly replied.
"That was a lot of responsibility for a teenager, I'm sure if I contacted him he'd give you a glowing review." I noticed Beth's brilliant smile slacken.
"He passed away last year but my brother is running the business now and can verify everything I've said."
"Oh...I'm sorry to hear that," I said seeing the pain in her eyes.
I talked to Beth for nearly half an hour but I knew in the first five minutes she was the one. I had to play it cool though so as not to tip my hand. We talked money and benefits and she didn't seem offended by what I was offering so I hired her. I stood and she shot to her feet as well. We shook hands again and she looked like she was about to burst.
"Welcome aboard Beth. When can you start?"
"I can be here tomorrow if you'd like? Thank you so much Mr. Worthington," she trembled with excitement.
"CAROL!" I shouted then looked down at Beth, "First thing Beth, call me Mike. We're very informal around here so you don't need to use mister or anything like that." I stepped around my desk to open the door and found Carol reaching for the handle. "Beth is joining the family and will be starting tomorrow so could you get her all the information she needs?"
"Sure thing Mike. Come with me."
As Carol turned, Beth surprised me with a hug around my mid section. At 6'-2" and 250 pounds I dwarfed the little woman but I enjoyed her gratitude. I just hoped she was up to the task. I needed to get back to dealing with customers and not office minutia. She had 90 days to impress me or I'd be looking again but it barely took her two weeks and I was sold.
She had jumped in feet first and didn't look back. I was overjoyed; as was Carol, her life had just gotten easier too. Beth knew her stuff and was right at home taking over where Diane had left off. She made some changes that suited her own working style but all in all it felt like Diane had never left. She handled customers humbly but didn't let them walk all over her. She even kept me in line when I would lose my temper over insignificant things. Being young, petite and pretty made many people under estimate her as most of the single guys who worked for me found out. I thought I might have to step in and say something to them but Beth handled it just fine. She politely turned down their advances and let them know she had a boyfriend. She also let them know she wouldn't tolerate any kind of harassment.
***
By the time my annual 4th of July BBQ rolled around I was pleased that Beth had been a good choice. I invited her and her boyfriend who I'd yet to me to the gathering. I had all my employees and their immediate families come over for a barbeque/pool party every year at this time. It was my thank you to them for their hard work. My backyard was on a hill overlooking the city park where they had a huge fireworks display so everyone brought chairs for the evening. I supplied the food and drinks with a little help from Carol and her husband it made for a fun day.
