Atlanta CEO Gives Away a Thriving Business

Lisa Campbell, an Atlanta News Anchor, used to own a successful business called the Urban Tea Party located in the Virginia Poncey Highland section of Atlanta. That changed on December 4, 2006, when she handed over the keys to her business, to a complete stranger. Every teapot, every tea book, every teacup, every tea accessory, every management secret, became the property of Sherolyn Sellers. The only thing she didn’t get was any outstanding debt. But, what makes this story different was the asking price. Zip, zilch, nothing, nadda.

Sherolyn Sellers didn’t pay a dime to Lisa Campbell for the business it had taken her two years to build. Lisa offered the entire kit and kaboodle of her teahouse to the person she thought would be the best person to take over the business. When I read about the story, I wondered how Sherolyn Sellers achieved what 456 of her other competitors couldn’t. And I wondered, how Lisa Campbell decided to choose Sherolyn as the best person as the next CEO of the Urban Tea Party? The answers to those two questions have just have something to teach anyone trying to find a job in today’s tight job market.

Read Lisa’s press releases and more about what inspired her to give away her business.

Here are the things that I think Sherolyn Sellers did right:

1. Timing is Everything

• Sherolyn was the first contestant to arrive to the interview tea party. Lisa Campbell commented that it showed that she was eager for the job.
  

In addition to showing your enthusiasm for the job, arriving early to any appointment sends the message that you respect your interviewer’s time. Arriving late sends the message that you value your time over that of your interviewer. That’s definitely not the message you want to send.

Be Conscientious:

• Sherolyn offered to help set up for the tea party since she got there early. Lisa Campbell commented that Sherolyn really wanted the job and she was willing to do whatever it took.
  

I wouldn’t recommend straightening up your interviewer’s office if you get there early BUT you can still let them know you are conscientious! During the interview, questions will arise that will provide you with the opportunity to inform your interviewer about how you’ve gone above and beyond in your previous positions. Seize the opportunities!

Creative Problem Solving:

• Sherolyn proposed setting up a non-profit organization called ImpossibiliTea that would help young people realize that good things are possible for them. Lisa Campbell was undoubtedly impressed by Sherolyn’s ability to create a new way to enhance the charitable goals of the company.
  

During your interview, use examples of how your creative problem solving has helped your previous company(s) adhere to and expand upon its goals. Your past behavior says alot about how you are apt to behave in the future.

 
Do your Homework:

• Sherolyn told Lisa Cambell that she would contribute part of her profits to the Oprah Angels Network. When she read the announcement about the giveaway, she obviously paid attention to what inspired Lisa Campbell to give away her business.
  

Do you know what your future company’s goals are? Do you know what the goals of your future boss are? No? Do some Google searching and read as much as you can about the company and their top management. Do you agree with their goals? If you don’t, ask yourself “do I really want to work for a company whose goals are so different than mine”? If your goals are too different from the company and you take a job with them, you will undoubtedly have unnecessary conflicts to deal with at some point.

Pay Attention to Details:

• She included a bar graph on her one page proposal that outlined how she would manage the store’s finances month-by-month.

Sherolyn’s graph showed Lisa Campbell that she realized that managing the teahouse finances would be an important part of owning the business. A resume, like Sherolyn’s proposal, should  focus on what’s important to the company. Don’t know what that is? You’ll need to do some research. Google them. Read job listings posted by the company. What skills are they looking for? Do you have what they need?

How did Sherolyn’s strategy work out for her?

• According to internet coverage of her, she has transformed her life as an E-Commerce specialist to the owner of  a trendy teahouse in Atlanta, GA. See a picture of Sherolyn Sellers

 

Dawn Turner
The SearchLogix Group, Inc 

Comments

[JohnWilliom]

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