Why Christian Retail?
Start writing a post
Student Life

Why Christian Retail?

My experience working at Lifeway Christian Stores

18
Why Christian Retail?
Google

Throughout my life, I remember going to Barnes and Noble. I didn't just go for normal books, I went with my family to the Christian sections. Mainly for Veggie Tales when I was a kid. As I grew older, I went less and less. Soon the Barnes and Noble that was near my favorite restaurant closed and became a Lifeway Christian Store. A full store dedicated to selling Christian products, it felt overwhelming. I went in there few times until I left for college in 2015. Before I left, I went into Lifeway and purchased my first "adult" bible. I loved the atmosphere inside of the store and how the associates took the time to help me find the perfect product.

Fast forward to the beginning of summer 2016. I finished my freshman year of college and was looking for a job. I tried multiple places, many of which I was not at all excited about. I had worked the fast food jobs and a job at a large retail chain. Something brought me to the Lifeway Careers website and I saw that the store I first went into was hiring. Within the next week I was hired and had started training. Even at my interview, I knew I was doing something completely different than I had before. Working in Christian retail was a whole new chapter in my work experience.

I started my online training. It felt like I had watched more videos than I have at any other job, and I still have videos to continue watching. The first thing I noticed is that there are so many videos to ensure that I can be the best employee for our customers. In this company, stores are all about serving the customer, not just about selling the item. This is something I felt I knew at my previous retail job, however that was clouded by other tasks, store card registration quotas, and sales. Lifeway is completely different.

Through my in store training, I saw a whole different side to customer service. I remember the nice, patient employees who helped me the year before and realized that I am now one of them. Checkouts are not just about being fast yet efficient but about speaking to the customer about their day and even praying with them if they need it. I still have yet to pray for a customer on my own but I have witnessed it in action.

It seems very strange to work in a store where a customer may come in looking for a product and leave with something much greater. I learned that I can turn a bad day into a better situation, something I feel I was not able to do working at a large retail store.

I still have a lot to learn at Lifeway and I have a long way to go, but I know it will be an experience that I will carry with me throughout my future careers and throughout my life.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

51569
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

33108
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

956086
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

181016
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments