Part XVII: Human Resources: The Universe, Third Level

So there I was, early in my business, with an office in Century City, some welcome publicity here and there, and clients that seemed to arrive when they were supposed to.

In the beginning, I would generally meet my clients on location – at the venues that I recommended for their event. If there was more than one location, I could either drive them around or they would follow in a car, especially if there were several associates coming to see the locations. If clients flew in from out of state, they would have to be picked up at their hotel and escorted for the site inspection.

There came a time when I really felt that I needed a helper. I was a one-woman operation – a sole proprietor with a growing business and reputation. My administrative needs were provided by local staff in the executive suite or elsewhere in the building where my office was located. The vendors that I contracted for the events were all independent companies and as mentioned, I developed relationships with these event professionals and when required, I could easily find new services.

But finding personal helpers was another matter. And it was a matter that was handled beautifully by my cosmic human resources department.

Demand and Supply

I was sitting in my office one day and I had been thinking about finding someone to help take my clients around to see the locations. I really didn’t like driving around Los Angeles in traffic and I just knew there was a better way to do this. I also knew that I didn’t need a full-time employee.

Suddenly the telephone rang and the switchboard attendant put the call through to me. A young woman said, "Hi Marilyn, my name is Mona..." and without skipping a beat, I said, "and you’re looking for a job." Needless to say, she was stunned (well, I probably was also), but I hadn’t even thought about my response. It just came out. Somehow I just knew why she was calling.

Mona was absolutely perfect. She was going to school getting her psychology degree. I recall that she also had plans to visit El Salvador as a missionary. She needed some flexible, part-time work for income. And she even had some business smarts. Mona told me that I shouldn’t be driving my clients around to the locations. After all, she said, I was the head of the company, the "queen bee". She said the clients would respect my position and expertise much more and consider me more successful if I had my worker bees doing those duties. She suggested that she drive the clients to all the locations and that I meet them when she brought them to the final location, where we could be introduced and discuss the options. It was the perfect scenario. I didn’t have to deal with traffic for hours and entertain clients while escorting them. And then I, the queen bee, could meet them – calm, cool and collected. :-) The added bonus was that while Mona was escorting them, she would sing my praises and build their confidence in my expertise. And wow, was she good at that.

The most endearing memory I have of Mona is that she was the first person in my life to ever call me "Boss". She always called me "Boss". We ran into each other in a restaurant many years later, after she had gone on to bigger and better things. She came to the table where I was sitting with my companion, threw her arms around me in a big hug and said, "Hi, Boss!" I didn’t see her coming and it was an unexpected surprise.

The time came when Mona had to leave, and in perfect synchronicity, Steven showed up. He was working for Scott, the caterer, at the time, and wanted some extra work. He remained my site inspection person for awhile until he moved to Hawaii to start his own catering company.

Then Michelle arrived. She also worked in the event industry and wanted part-time work while going to chef’s school. She was another one who just spontaneously started calling me "Boss". I guess I’m just naturally bossy. :-) Michelle later moved to Northern California to attend a culinary institute.

Time went on. The business evolved. I moved in with a personal manager in the entertainment industry. Ron was independent and on his own in business and nurtured the careers of his actor clients. He also became a natural helper for Marilyn Jenett Locations. He would take my clients out for site inspections and they really loved him. He had a great sense of humor and was really good with people. He would also sometimes help out at the events – I think more for moral support than anything.

One day Ron and I had a spat (yes, they do show up once in awhile in this story). He was half asleep and I said to him, "I don't want to argue." He replied, "Then don't be so bossy." I said (jokingly), "But I am the boss." To which he replied, "Then don't let me know it." Smart man.

Lyndia called out of the blue one day looking for employment. She had moved here from the east coast, and after being married for many years, was starting a new life on her own. She was doing temporary work while searching for the right employment opportunity. Lyndia took my clients around and helped me run events for several years when she was available, until she was fully settled in a career.

Mike is one of my best friends. In the more recent years, he has been there for me whenever I needed him. That included taking my clients for site inspections or helping out at an event if needed. He is my self-proclaimed "Go To Guy" :-) And in more ways than I could ever thank him for, he has been there for me through thick and thin. I have been there for him also – we’ve helped each other. But I will always be grateful for his great heart and his support.

What was this all about? Well, the fact is that over a span of two decades, I never had to look for helpers for my business. Not once. I was perfectly provided for at every turn.

What was especially gratifying was that I was able to help a few people along the way while they were following their own dreams. It was the perfect synchronicity for them also. The flexible position served as a stepping stone on the way to their entrepreneurial endeavors or careers.

I am such a free spirit, I felt like I was allowing them to be also. Even if they did call me "Boss".

Marilyn and Ron – Glam Shot :-)

To be continued…

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