Back in February of 1983, I applied for and was turned down for a job with Stanion Wholesale Electric Co., saying they thought I was overqualified. A couple weeks later I was contacted by Bill Keller to come in for another position that was available, and I was hired for that position. (You will see what that new position was below.) I thought I was just getting a job so I could support my two very young children. Little did I know that I was getting a SWECO family that would become a huge part of my life and would see me through raising those two children, the births of my grandchildren, the loss of both of my parents, some very tough times in my life, some very happy times, and the creation of lifelong friendships. This was to turn into over 40 years with the company.
You might believe I have not progressed with technology. It’s very true that I am often overwhelmed by technology and the changes that happen every day. (I can offer proof and references for this claim – just ask IT). I have seen many changes and have done my best to move with them. When I first started with Stanion Wholesale Electric Co. in February of 1983, my first job was using an addressograph machine. The closest picture I could find is the one below. (Try being qualified for that today!!!)
At that time, we didn’t have any computers. (Can you believe that!) This machine had metal plates with the customers’ addresses on them. The plates were run through this machine, and when you found the correct plate, you stamped the address on the paper copy of the invoice. Pretty archaic. I have seen a lot of equipment come and go and have seen equipment go from leading edge to antique. Totally amazing, but we could transact business before this new equipment became commonplace. I was there when word processors replaced typewriters. A crazy thing they called a fax machine that would send a paper from one place to another on paper that you had to keep out of the sun, or the writing would disappear. We didn’t even have cell phones. One phone in the office that was in the center of the room, and you really didn’t want Bobbe Stanion seeing you use it. It had better be a very serious emergency. Then we started getting computer equipment. The mainframe required a very large room, but we were progressing. The computers have gotten much faster and much smaller.
Things were much different then, and I have to say I miss the pre-technology era. Our jobs were not as specialized. If someone needed help getting caught up, we all jumped in and helped with what needed done. Everybody separated invoices, pulled drawers (figured monthly sales for each customer), stuffed mail, etc. We worked together to get things done and were happy to jump in and help where needed. Don’t think it was all easy and good times; there were rough ones too. The absolute worst time was in 2003 when we upgraded to our current ERP software. It was very difficult, to say the least. There are those with the company who will remember that process. In the accounting area, I’m not ashamed to tell you that I cried every day on my drive home for three months – and the drive was 45 min to an hour. But this, too, was resolved and was an improvement that kept us moving into the future of business and allowed us to do many things we couldn’t do under our previous ERP system.
Yes, I am from a totally different generation, and I accept that. We didn’t get personal calls, we didn’t get special meals, we didn’t get T-shirts or clothing or gifts for doing something extra. We had a job and were expected to show up every day on time and do that job. For our reward, we received a paycheck. That was how it was, and that was all that was expected by those of us who worked for Stanion Wholesale Electric Co. I did not have to walk to work five miles uphill both ways barefoot in the snow, but things were definitely different. I have had the pleasure of working for this company for a very long time. I have always been treated well. I believe they value the people who work for them, and I believe that they will continue to do so. We have some great benefits and perks that we can enjoy. I just leave you with the idea that we should not just enjoy, but also appreciate them.
This may sound like the meanderings of just some old person, but I hope you can also take something from it.
I got a motivational email a year or so ago that has always stuck with me. The man told a story of a vision his wife had. She was walking along a long, flowing, winding path of bricks that seemingly went on forever . . . but suddenly the bricks came to an end – beyond there was no road at all. Only muddy slop. She wondered where she should go next.
It struck her that the bricks were symbolic. They had been laid by those who had come before her, whose job was to create a path and pave a way for those who would follow her.
That is one of the most important meanings of life.
That we are all here . . .
. . . to extend the road . . .
. . . to be grateful for the bricklayers before us, and pay it forward, by building an ever-longer, ever-wider road.
. . . to broaden the possibilities for those behind us.
This was not an elective, she thought. It’s obligatory. We all have a duty to be bricklayers and road builders.
She went on to say that no matter what mistakes we have made up to now, no matter what failures we have experienced. Or harm we have caused . . . we are fully capable, fully empowered, and possess all the brilliance, and know all we need to know . . .
. . . to lay the bricks up ahead anyway.
Past disappointments do not signal the end of the road. Quite the opposite. They make us wiser to build it better, sturdier, and more robust, with experience as our teacher.
The crux of this story is from a motivator named Rick Houcek and his wife. He has given me many great ideas. You can look him up on this great information highway we call the Internet. (Didn’t have that either!)
So I am sorry I have gone on and on but I leave you with this thought. Love Stanion and it will love you back. Thanks for the years and the great memories. You will be missed by me. Build with bricks; don’t throw them. Be nice to old people, with any luck you will be one someday! 😊
Julie Woodson
Soon to be ex-bricklayer for Stanion Wholesale Electric Co.
Corporate Office-Pratt, KS
