Tell us about your career with Enterprise. How did you start and how did you get to where you are now?
My then-girlfriend recommended that I apply to Enterprise for a change of pace from the mall retailer where I worked. The day of my job shadow and interview, an Assistant Branch Manager from one of the local branches happened to visit my store at the mall. She was so impressed with the service I provided that she asked me to apply to her company, which was Enterprise! I told her I’d just had an interview and I thought it had gone well. She said, “I’ll put in a good word for you because you’re amazing.”
I was offered the job shortly thereafter and I started at the flagship branch in South Savannah, Georgia. The team there was diverse and made me feel that I was a welcomed and needed part of the team. I was promoted to Assistant Manager in Statesboro, GA in 2016 where I had the pleasure of managing my first openly LGBTQ+ employee. Then in November 2017 I earned my first Branch Manager spot. I was nominated to the Diversity Minority Council for my city in 2018, expanding my leadership role and opening the door to mentor and coach on a broader scale.
What has surprised you most about working at Enterprise?
The most surprising thing about working at Enterprise is how similar people can be from such varied backgrounds. I have the privilege of working with some of the most talented, focused, and determined people that I’ve ever met; though each of their stories is different – they are all very driven.
When did you come out at work, early or late in your Enterprise career? Why is it important for you to be out at work?
I came out later in my Enterprise career. I did not have any LGBTQ+ role models until I was an assistant manager. That void made it more important for me to be open and visible so that others who might come behind me would feel comfortable to be their authentic selves. I want to ensure that every employee I encounter, especially ethnic minorities, gendered minorities, those in the LGBTQ+ community, and allies to the community know that a great portion of our greatness is in our differences.
How does Enterprise support LGBTQ+ employees and allies?
In my experience, Enterprise supports LGBTQ+ employees and allies through their commitment to ensuring inclusion and diversity remain as cornerstones to our business. The creation and existence of employee resource groups are also beneficial to unifying and supporting employees by putting our Founding Values into action in a visible way.
Does Enterprise embody an inclusive work environment? What does that look, sound and feel like?
Yes. From networking events and employee resource groups, to the diversity we maintain in hiring, Enterprise works to ensure each employee knows they are celebrated as a whole person.
What has it been like to work for Enterprise during the time of COVID-19?
It has come with some challenging days and circumstances, but I have gotten to experience and manage through some unprecedented situations. I’ve gotten to work with managers and employees that I may not have ever had the opportunity to work with and strategize to ensure that our customers and employees are protected throughout changing conditions. None of us would ever ask for this situation, but it’s an opportunity to add adaptive tools to my toolbox to ensure that success is always within my grasp.
How have your perceptions of Enterprise changed since COVID-19?
My perceptions of Enterprise haven’t changed much through COVID-19. I’ve gotten to see our Founding Values exemplified. From my perspective, every day that I was able to work was a building block to getting my coworkers and friends back into the workplace with me.
What didn’t we ask that you’d like us to know?
I’ve recently found myself saying quite a bit that “my cover doesn’t match my pages.” I think this is an important thing for us all to remember when we encounter people in and out of the workplace. To see me is not to know me or my story, any more than it is for the next person, and it is truly the nuance of character that makes each person worth getting to know. We are in a very specific time and space in our business and in society, and the impact that each of us has on all of the people that we encounter day to day is paramount to bringing about the changes that we want to see in our world.