The broke college student in me is what lead me to apply to work at a gas station, but it’s been the people at my store that’s made me want to stay. It seems it was just yesterday it was October and I was scrounging for black dress pants before my first day of training. Upon walking in the store I hear “WELCOME IN!” from by far the most cheerful voice I’ve ever heard. Miranda Cimental, manager at the Stripes on the corner of Bishop and Hopkins continued with, “You’re Chelsea, right?” and I’ve been a faithful employee ever since. Of course I let her call me Chelsea for weeks until I corrected her, but only because she’s the best. When our former manager stepped down and left the store, Miranda had to bite the bullet and virtually took on both positions as manager and as assistant manager. She’s been running the store alone ever since and, by any means, puts her heart and soul into carrying out the store’s legacy. As a manager, she’s taught me the world of customer service and taking initiative, but as a person, she’s taught me life lessons in perseverance, optimism, and compassion. As she steps down to take care of her family, she be missed not only by myself but by all of my co-workers and an entire neighborhood who looks forward to seeing her smiling face everyday at our family store.
Welcome In!
From the very first “Welcome in!”, I became apart of a family I never knew I would have. Miranda’s hospitality for every person who comes in our store is genuine in that she means well with every last person she engages with. From her customers to her employees, she makes everyone feel important and appreciated, never failing to leave you with enough optimism for the day. At 22, she’s dealt with and taken on more responsibility than she should have to and all the while she continues to put forth her best effort each and every day. She makes herself available for the wants and needs of others and while the world takes, she continues to give with no complaints. Through all 24 hours our store is open, she makes sure that people are our utmost priority at the store, not because she’s a manager but because she’s Miranda. It’s the reason why people in the neighborhood come to the store just to visit her. No matter what she’s doing or who she’s talking to, she’ll pause to welcome you into her store because her aura is just that golden and unduplicated.
Our Corporate Family
Miranda and I. Photo by Chelyse Provost.
If I had to use one word to describe our team at 1502, it would be “special”. Through anything and everything, I’ve seen Miranda learn and love everyone on the team with all our different kinds of crazy. Miranda knows best out of all of us how wildly unpredictable life can be, and through it all she manages to take care of us and exist in our own individual lives. After long days in class or at work, I’ve come to the store and made countless, stupid mistakes and Miranda, sleep deprived and wired off of Monsters, will clean up the mess without saying anything (except “P.O.S. wow”). When we call her with problems getting to/from work or needing help in the store, she (or her best friend Spivey, we love you) is already on the way to make it happen. No matter the stress or stupidity, she leads with the kind of patience and understanding that speaks wonders. Everything that we do at the store is in part due to her dedication to do right by us and how much the store means to her. She treats us like family, thus we work and treat other like we are one.
Thank You, Have a Good One
As much as it’s going to suck not having her as a manager, all of us at 1502 know Miranda will be around. Her love for the store and the people who work in it will always hold her close, but while she leaves to take care of her family, we wish her the best. She’s essentially managed a position for two people and done so exceptionally well, so there’s no question she’ll be successful wherever she goes in life. You’ve shown me the true definition of altruism and what it means to give. I’ve learned that through everything that weighs on my shoulders, I can persist and succeed through it all. Miranda has shed a light on us as a team and to her customers that will continue shine forever, and for that I’m grateful to have gotten to know her. On the behalf of everyone you’ve had a positive effect on I thank you, Miranda, for your grace and heart. Thank you, and have a good one.
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