Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Susan Harlan. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Susan, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
In my family, not working was never an option. My father was always working. I grew up in a family owned hardware store and my Dad taught me that our self worth comes from the amount of work we do. As I’ve gotten older I’ve realized that’s not really the best way to think about your life and your work. I’ve tried to modify my self image being all tied up with the work I do. I’m grateful to have such a strong work ethic, but I am trying to find more balance in my life.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I have been running Vickery Hardware for the last 20 plus years. It is a very fulfilling and hands on job. My favorite part of the day is when a customer comes in with a problem, maybe plumbing issues or looking for the right type anchor to hang a project on the wall, and I can help them work through what they need. I feel like its a small thing, but maybe it helped get their day back on track.
We strive for the best customer service here at the old Hardware Store. We want to meet you at the door and help you to get to the right place to fix your problem. We like to be the kind of place where everybody knows your name!
We are a community kind of place. We put up a Little Free Library many years ago and it has really been a hit with our customers. On any given Saturday you’re liable to see the Girl Scouts or the Boy scouts with a booth out front or a cooking demonstration for the Big Green Egg. We have hosted art shows and musical events. We were the first place in our city to give space for and finance a city based mural. We love being a part of the community!!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I think the most important thing I learned coming along, was to never doubt that I could do what needed to be done to succeed.
I think its important to believe in yourself, and to also realize you will make mistakes, you will fail at times, but it all comes together to help you learn and grow.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
To Kill a Mockingbird was a favorite of mine from high school on. I reread it every few years. The most important thing I got from the book, and how I try to live my life, is that you never know what a person is going through until you have put on their shoes and walked around in them.
Contact Info:
- Website: acehardware.com
- Instagram: @vickeryhardware
- Facebook: Vickery Hardware, INC.
