I've Come So Far

I am a proud employee of Adventure Harley-Davidson. I am a Marketing Student at the University of Akron and I am HAPPY to make the 45 minute drive to come to work everyday. Most people my age dread working during the summer. They would rather sleep in 'til noon, lay out by the pool, and get into trouble with friends when the sun goes down. But NOT me. My friends are HERE! I start every Saturday at 6:00am to make it to work at 8:00am and I wouldn't have it any other way. Just knowing that I will get to spend the day with my awesome co-workers is enough to make me hop out of bed and get going. Each day gives me something to be excited about and I have grown SO MUCH as a person by working here.

When I first started at Adventure in March of 2008, I was a shy, soft-spoken 20 year old girl with a lot of social anxiety. Just ask Margie, our Motor Clothes Manager! She will tell you about when I had my first interview with her. Oh BOY, was I nervous! I got so nervous during the interview that I actually broke out in hives. Yes, hives. It happens when I get nervous. Don't judge me! Even though I was a bit skittish, Margie took me under her wing and my journey began! I don't know what was wrong with me way back then, but the wonderful people at Adventure brought me out of my shell.

I started out on the phones. Okay, I was the type of person that hated to talk to strangers on the phone. I was a afraid to call and order pizza for crying out loud! Now I would be handling 10 phones lines at once! HOLY COW! This is when I met Rita, my first mentor at Adventure. Rita is one of the coolest chicks you'll EVER meet. At first I just sat at her desk with her at watched her work the phones. She picked up line after line with no hesitation. I thought "Okay, Anna, you can do this. Just pace yourself", and by the end of the day, I was answering the phone, transferring calls, and taking messages like I was born for it! Rita's patience and confidence in me to do a good job is was pushed me to succeed.I really started to blossom when I got the hang of the phones. I gained self confidence and my interactions with others became better and better each day.

But I really started to become the girl I am today when I started in Motor Clothes. Margie decided that I would be good as a cashier in her department. SO, on a busy Saturday she threw me into the action! Jenn started to train me and I picked up on it right away. I was SO proud of myself. I was finding out so many new things about myself! I felt like I could do just about anything! Interacting with the customers was really awesome. I really enjoyed helping them find the things they were looking for and making the most of their shopping experience. Margie would always tell us that our customers are guests in our store, and we should treat them as so. Seeing the customers' smiling faces, and knowing that I helped make them happy, is very rewarding.

And now I am being mentored by Nicki, the Marketing Manager. I have already learned SO much! I have the coolest Internship in the world. It's never a dull moment around here and there is always something new to get excited about. I feel so lucky to work at such a well-known establishment. Harley-Davidson is a top runner in the Marketing world and I am getting some great experience for my degree and career. I couldn't ask for anything better!

Now when you see me, I have bright eyes and a big smile. I'm not afraid to walk up to anyone and ask them how they're doing. I have confidence in myself to take on anything that life throws at me!

I have gained so many things by working at this dealership and interacting with my co-workers. We are like one big family. It is awesome to know that I have so many people that genuinally care about me. So thanks to ALL of you that have made such a huge impact on me and helped me grow into the person I am today! I love you all!

-Anna
Marketing Intern and Adventure Family Member

Meeting New People Everyday!

We're all about getting to know new people at Adventure, so don't be surprised if every single person within 5 feet of you asks you how you're doing. And unlike other places you've been, we really care what you have to say. I love listening to stories that customers have to share. Many of the people that we interact with are from out of state - or even out of the country! I remember one day this past winter, we had some gentlemen visit us from Italy! I enjoyed helping them pick out some souvenirs and learning some Italian. Each customer that walks through the door is his or her own individual, at we like to treat them that way!

Sometimes we get visited by pets as well! A young lady brought in her tiny tiny dog, Gidget! She is a Tea-Cup Chihuahua and Tea-Cup Yorkie mix, and, man, is she a cutie! I could hold her in the palm of my hand! Here she is pictured sitting on the receptionist's desk!

Gidget was very excited to be at Adventure Harley-Davidson. She was hopping around on the desk and taking a look at all the beautiful motorcycles.

I would have sold her a Harley collar, but she's so tiny none of them would fit her! The owner said that this is as big as she would get. Meeting Gidget make me want to get a new puppy. But unfortunately, I should wait until I graduate college.

Today while helping out in the Motor Clothes Department, I met a very polite young boy. I did not catch his name, but he has a great eye for cool clothes! I escorted him from clothes rack to clothes rack trying to find the perfect t-shirt for him. He was the cutest little boy I have ever met! "Oh yes, i like this shirt a lot. Is it a 7/8? Oh yes, this will fit me just perfectly", he said as he slipped his little arms into a super sweet gray Harley-Davidson Kids' zip-up hoodie. He really liked a gray Harley shirt with stripes down the sleeves. What a stylish young man! I hope he, and the rest of his family, stop back in to see us again!

Meeting new people is the best part about working at Adventure Harley-Davidson. Each day, our family grows! If you are ever lonely, bored, or just needing some friendly conversation, stop by our shop, we'll be happy to make you feel at home!

See You Soon!