Caroline McGowan’s Post

Happy 20th Anniversary to Alex (Alejandro) Martinez! Alex began his career at Accord in the Chicago 940 building as a Finishing Operator, thanks to a referral from his brother who also worked at the company. He recalls that when he started, his department had only seven people, which required him to learn and master everything in his role. We asked him a few questions about his time with Accord Carton. Q. What do you like the most about your job?  A. I love what I do and like to think about how my co-workers and I can do a better job. Q. What has kept you at Accord for so long? A. Opportunities to grow. Q. What are you the proudest of at work? A. Working with the team. Q. What superpower would you like to have if you could choose one? A. Help my fellow coworkers figure ways to do things the best.

Today, I celebrate my 6th year with Williams Sonoma! I shared 5 years ago why I love Williams Sonoma and nothing has changed! I heart WSI! I CELEBRATE a company that I am humbly proud to be a part of! Here are 10 reasons why I love working for Williams-Sonoma INC! 1. Talent - Partnering directly or indirectly with people and teams who create and sustain high performance culture! 2. People First Culture - Valuing Service and Customer Experiences. 3. Leadership - Motivates, Elevates and Inspires. 4. Civic Responsibility in diversity, equality and equity. 5. Contribution to the Community - No Kids Hungry, St Judes, etc. 6. Simple Kindness - Commitment to all associates well being. 7. Relevancy - 10 Brands that focus on bringing forth the best product. 8. Commitment to Sustainability now and beyond. 9. Working for passionate leaders who believe in internal growth. 10. Doing what I love! #WSILOVE #WSIHEART #LOVEWHATYOUDO

Cheers to ONE Environmental Managing Principal J. Rusty Field PE who is celebrating his 15-year work anniversary! Back in 2009, Rusty envisioned a customer-centered company that prioritizes lasting, meaningful relationships over the bottom line when he and his partners founded ONE. And the rest is history, as they say. Learn more about Rusty on our blog! https://bit.ly/3yJdDxF

Let’s Normalise Celebrating Ourselves I’ve been reflecting on this lately: we need to normalise congratulating ourselves more. There’s often a stigma that appreciating or congratulating yourself is a sign of being self-obsessed. But why should that be the case? Believing in yourself, taking action, and creating your own path are acts of courage and determination, not egotism. Take a moment to thank yourself because you are the driving force behind your achievements. You might have inspired others, opened doors to new opportunities, or even changed lives. That’s something worth celebrating, so congratulations to you! The journey may have been long, challenging and/or overwhelming at times, but the successes you’ve achieved are a direct result of your hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Support and encouragement from others are valuable and should never go unnoticed. However, don’t forget to acknowledge your own effort, motivation, and commitment to your goals. Take a moment today to applaud yourself for striving to succeed, you’ve truly earned it.

Celebrating being yourself in a world that wants you to fit in. Life is short! Too short to spend pretending to be someone you’re really not. Some people stand out by being true to themselves, whether through bold clothing, unique hairstyles or simply living openly as they are. These choices remind us how beautiful and inspiring it is to embrace who we really are. Sometimes, I cross paths with people who aren’t afraid to be “different.” They own their uniqueness so confidently that I find myself thinking “I wish I had the same courage to be like that”. Being different isn’t always easy and it can mean facing judgment or feeling misunderstood. But those who stay true to themselves show us that it’s worth it. Being authentic takes courage and is an act of self-respect. It also inspires others to be real, bringing creativity and new ideas to the spaces we share, being those at work, in our communities or in life. For anyone hiding parts of themselves, even a small show of support from others can make a big difference. Imagine how much better the world could be if we all encouraged each other to embrace what makes us unique. Let’s lift each other up and make space for everyone to feel seen and valued.

Major props to one of the giants of ResProp Management, Angela Aguilar, celebrating her five-year anniversary with our team!  👉 Angela is a standout leader in so many ways. Most importantly, she’s a servant leader – she’s always hyper-attentive to the needs of the teams she leads, and digs in to help them get the work done – never afraid to dive deep and help push things forward. 💥But Angela is also a fierce competitor.  Think about the affect Michael Jordan had on anyone who played on the same court–he elevated everyone’s game. On Michael’s court, you can't just show up and play–you come and give it your ALL. 👉 Same with Angela – when she commits to anything, it instantly motivates the team and suddenly they find a new gear to complete something that was previously unreachable. It’s a pleasure to work with you Angela – it’s been great fun (with a huge dose of HARD WORK) to build out ResProp with you.  Last word here – Angela’s work ethic is unmatched. You literally have to peel her away from her work. This passion is infectious and again, is something that motivates everyone around her. Can’t wait to see what the next 5 years bring us–and while we’re at it, let’s make it 50 more! #workanniversary #leader #FAWOMO

Occasionally my business overlaps with my friendships, and I love it when that happens.... Julie and I first met in 2002. We waited tables together at an Italian restaurant here in my hometown. Julie is one of the most kind, welcoming, genuine people you'll ever meet. If you know her, you can't help but love her - that's just who she is. I came from the chain restaurant world of Ruby Tuesday (are they even still around anymore?) to this fine dining restaurant and felt completely out of my element. I didn't know how to open a bottle of wine (heck I was 19 and probably drank Boone's Farm back then), or about the variety of seafoods and pastas we offered. Jules took me under her wing and graciously taught me everything she knew, up to and including how to tie a tie (part of our uniform). Little did she know, she also taught me how to create an awesome customer experience, how to run a team, and how to lead by example. Jules went on to marry a successful chef and restaurant owner, but years later when he decided to sell the business and go a different path, Jules was ready to try something different. HYI was looking for a PL Account Manager and I knew Julie's personality, work ethic, and customer service skills would make her a perfect fit. She had all the makings to be successful, she just needed to learn the insurance piece. She wasn't sure she could do it - but I promised her that on the right team, I knew she could. One of the things I love about Joe Lapi is that he keeps an open mind. He also trusts me. When I presented Julie as a candidate 3 years ago, he said "If you like her for this, I'll talk to her." She was offered the job that week (even edging out a candidate who HAD experience). Today my dear friend who spent her entire adult life in the restaurant world has made a total pivot into insurance, and has a successful new career path ahead of her. If you're a retail agency always wondering where your next awesome AM is going to come from, try keeping an open mind. Go for the person who has the right attitude and checks SOME of the boxes. Planning ahead instead of waiting until the hire is a 5 alarm fire will afford you the time to train folks like this. I promise you it will result in some of your very best hires. I think Joe and team would agree, Julie's been an asset to HYI - not just professionally, but in keeping with the awesome culture he's creating over there. Cheers to 3 years, Jules! 🥂

Marissa's post made me realize how important gratitude has become in my life. Looking at what is going right, even if it's something minuscule (like a spell checker -- thank you LI!!), helps me be more optimistic overall. As someone who has struggled with depression and definitely does not want to go back there, I am certain that my gratitude practice has helped pave the way for better mental health. That is NOT to say that I don't recognize the struggles that I have. I'm not interested in "only good vibes." Instead, I find it essential to define The Problem so that I can then determine The Solution. Chinese medicine shows that there cannot be light without darkness; they are two sides of the same coin. I am grateful for my struggles. If I don't recognize what I don't want, it's much more difficult to figure out what I do want.

When individuals feel supported, heard, and acknowledged, their satisfaction and loyalty increase. We dedicate significant resources to cultivating a culture that embodies these values. #culture #commercialcleaning #teamworkmakesthedreamwork

Success is rarely a solo journey. It’s built on the support of many. Behind every successful person, there's a network of mentors, family, colleagues, and teams that contribute to their achievements. When an actress wins an award, it’s not just her name in lights; it's the entire crew, from the production team to her fellow actors, celebrating. Similarly, when someone represents their country on the global stage, their success is shared by all who stand behind them. As you build your career, think about the role you can play in a winning team. Be the kind of person who takes pride in the success of others, just as they take pride in yours. Your reputation isn't just about your individual accomplishments: it's also about how you support and uplift those around you. Choose to embrace and celebrate the achievements of others, and in doing so, you'll build a reputation that fosters success for everyone. Start today- build your reputation by lifting others up. https://lnkd.in/dXPNRziU