Where We Begin | First Job Reflection

A lifetime, as they say, is marked by the people we meet and the moments we share. It isn’t the accumulation of stuff or objects. It is the collection of laughter, of tears, and connections. In my time as a pre-teen and teen, my house was shaky and I was fortunate to have a collection of people who looked out for me.

As my mother said: I had my neighbors, my aunt and uncle, and…my first job.

At the peak of the chaos at home, at the age of 13, I decided to look through a phonebook and called a women’s boutique in Rye Brook, Dusty Rose. A woman answered the phone, I asked her if they would hire me and she told me to come in. I still remember hanging up, throwing the zack-morris style phone onto the couch and jumping in the air.

The next day, I asked the bus driver to drop me off in front of the store. Marilyn, the store owner, took me around and showed me all the products and the storage room. My job would be to check-in products, put it away, keep it organized, and keep the store tidy.

I worked Monday through Friday from 3 - 6 and Saturdays 10 - 6. I took my job seriously and worked hard. I asked so many questions that Marilyn would sometimes say to me, “you are SO curious about everything!!!”

Many years later when I was selling product, not just checking it in, and she noted how all my questions paid off because I became self-sufficient. That has stayed with me for a lifetime, never being embarrassed to ask a question or for clarity because I know it will create balance later on.

We became family. Marilyn would drive me home, Lisa would give me the best advice, they had children and grandchildren, we stayed late and got in early. They were there for my mom getting a new apartment, for my first relationships, breakups, my school achievements and failures, my poetry readings, and so much more.

The connection at work allowed me to also apply my work ethic in a meaningful way. They were compassionate bosses helping me learn and encouraging me to grow. In many ways, I never “quit” Dusty Rose. I left when I went to college but returned working during breaks, and then for summers when I needed a job, and when I was pregnant with my first daughter.

I trained other stockroom girls, I sold products. I took notes and learned everything there was to know about highend sweaters, how to fit someone for a bra, taking inventory, and speaking with customers.

As a small store, there were many loyal customers who I became close with. These roles took me through my entire career path and landed me right here, able to connect to the people I work with every single day.

I found out last week that the store was closing and my heart aches for the community…not for the sake of their essentials but for the people that they grew close with when buying their daughter’s bridal shower gift. I am sorry that my daughter won’t be “forced” to work there and spend the summer folding underwear and giggling with her friends.

To Dusty Rose, and the people of Dusty Rose, you live on with us for the connection you have created within us, for what you gave back in connectivity and relationship. We are grateful for you and are so happy you were here.

To those offering summer internships, do not overlook the power of your influence. The way you support your young staff, the opportunities you provide, are the moments that mark them forever…the connections that create a future.

Be good, Anastasia