I was a senior in high school where I worked 40 hours a week at the local drug store dipping ice cream cones for 5 cents each when I learned the lesson that would change my life forever! On this Friday night I found a huge Hell’s Angel standing in front of me, and as I thought sure he was going to reach over the counter and grab me, he said the words I’ll never forget...” May I have a chocolate cone please?” He and his friends would come in every Friday and guess what...they smiled! In fact, they became my friends. I looked forward to seeing them every week. You know what else I found out? When people wait in line to buy an ice cream cone...they smile when you give it to them. That lesson changed my life. It’s true, that lesson changed me forever. After several years, I worked my way up the ladder to Store Manager and then I was given the opportunity to be the Western Region Customer Service Manager of Sav-On/Osco Drugs followed by the opportunity to fill that role for the entire company for a total of 6 years. It was a dream job and I always felt blessed that I was chosen out of more than 2,500 Managers to hold that position. My next stop was in the non-profit world of Easterseals Southern California helping to spread the message that people with disabilities want to be treated the same as everyone else and that finally cemented what I had been learning all these years. Treat everyone the way you want to be treated. Sounds too simple I know...From that very first step in the ice cream department, through each leg of my life's journey, every step has helped me to finally understand why putting a smile on the other person's face is a gift...for YOU.Now I find myself with the opportunity to share what I have learned with as many business owners and their associates as I can. Simply put, it’s about the people…on both sides of the counter! In other words, it’s about teaching your team how to:• Hire correctly• Train people effectively• Change when you must • Lead, reward and inspire your people to be THE BEST!This is going to be fun…Oh, one more thing…I’ve been with Annie, the love of my life, for 33 years 4 months and counting…we met at work where I used to be the boss…and guess what? We have 12 Grandchildren!