#328 Selling on the Road - Another Jane Story

One thing that Jane did well was selling. In the late ‘40’s and early ‘50’s she held several jobs requiring her to be on the road. Her job was to go to retail outlets and show off the product. For a while she worked for Nu-Enamel paints. Her schedule would put her into different towns in Eastern Pennsylvania.

In one of the stores she managed to make a favorable impression upon the store’s owner/manager. He was a somewhat crusty chap who seemed to delight in putting the fear of God in his employees. Jane would not be cowed nor intimidated. Fortunately, this gained her great respect from the “boss”.

Because she knew she could talk to him, she told him of a plan that would help him to move a lot more paint than he had up to date. The plan was quite simple – conduct a class in the store for the women in town who had an interest in decorating. The women would bring a small table, stool or chair and their lunch. The store would provide the instructor and one free 35¢ can of paint.

At first the store’s owner was not impressed. His primary concern was giving away something for nothing. After all, he was in business to sell paint, not give it away. Jane was persuasive and the plan was put into action. Lots of women participated. Since they only received one can of paint with their choice of color, many of them shared colors. The store’s paint sales increased considerably. The owner was pleased.

Then came the news that the paint company hired a new manager for sales. He was not impressed with Jane’s performance and probably her attitude. From her perspective he was a real pain in the ass. He forbade her to continue such promotions. She quit on the spot. He said she couldn’t do that. Her response was, “Watch me. And send my severance check within two weeks or you will discuss it with my attorney.” It arrived on time and in full. Even at her small stature she was a woman to be reckoned with. She still is in her mind.

#328