Dennis Hayden (pictured above at age 6 with his dog Clementine) shares his first job experience
I always tell people that I’ve never had a bad job. And I really do mean that. I have had bad days, but I have always enjoyed what I was doing.
My love for work started when I was only six years old. My much older sister lived in Hazelwood at the time and purchased eggs from a local farmer. The farmer also happened to raise beagles, and I really wanted one. So I asked my father if we could get one. And he told me, “If you want a dog, you need to have a job.”
I was disappointed and not sure what to do, but I soon came up with an idea. He had delicious fresh eggs that many enjoyed in my sister’s neighborhood. Perhaps I could help the farmer sell eggs in my Northwoods neighborhood. With a little help from my sister, it all worked out. Soon, I was knocking on doors and getting neighbors signed up.
Once a week, the farmer would arrive to my house and drop off the eggs for my neighborhood. It was my responsibility to both deliver the eggs and take new orders. I loaded them in my wagon and traveled door-to-door through my neighborhood. I had never felt so proud or important. And I had my Betty Darling Clementine (my beagle puppy – she was usually just “Clementine”).
I learned a lot about working and about myself with that first job. It left a lasting impression that lingers to this day. Of course I learned about customer service, sales techniques, work ethic, delivery schedules – and how to take care of a dog, which I also still love to do. But even more importantly, I discovered the kind of personal satisfaction it gives me to serve others.
Today, that pride remains true for my family and me with DH Custom Homes. We sincerely love what we do. And we can’t wait to serve more people in the coming year.
