“Always count your change back to your customers.”
That’s one piece of advice from senior head cashier Aqueelah Elliott of the school store.
She and others from The Turning Point recently mentored students from Lublin Dollar Store at Levey Middle School.
The middle schoolers came to Southfield High to learn retailing tips from students who operate Southfield’s school store.
Teacher Robin Brown, who manages the middle school store, decided that the students should receive a “real world experience.” So she arranged the visit.
Fabian McIntosh, the general manager of The Turning Point, said that he tried to teach the students “basic store operations.” McIntosh adds, “The students seem motivated, and they aspire to go further in business.”
The middle school students received first hand training from the mentors on how to handle money, the importance of a positive attitude and good customer service.
The eighth grade co-managers of the Lublin Dollar Store, Matthew Larson and Patrick Calhoun, have both been employees of the store since the sixth grade. Larson says, “One day, hopefully, I’ll be able to start my own business.” Larson says that operating the store “took a lot of hard work” but working with his teachers made it a lot easier.
Brown has only had the position for a few months but says, “The kids are absolutely amazing. I teach all of the business classes at Levey, and I love working with them and at the store.”
Calhoun says, “Since Ms. Brown is so new to everything, we spent a lot of time explaining things to her.”
Seventh grade Assistant Co-manager Danielle Prieto says she can’t wait to “take over next year.” Prieto says, “So far, I have learned that sometimes you have to be assertive and approach people correctly when they are wrong.”
Her co-manager, Jade Sanders, says, “I can’t wait to be employed at The Turning Point.”