Working Retail vs. Food Service: A Personal Perspective

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My first job was at Dollar General in Cartersville, and despite the challenges, I fell in love with retail. I enjoyed fixing clothes, stocking shelves, and interacting with customers. My manager hired me to work "up front" because of my smile, and I took pride in providing good customer service. However, working at Dollar General was physically demanding, and I encountered unruly customers and racism in the community. I had to prioritize my safety, especially when working night shifts and walking to work.

After leaving Dollar General, I worked a temp job at a chicken factory, but it was a short-lived experience due to the working conditions and my own health issues.

With young children, I decided to take a break from the workforce to focus on my family.

When I returned to work, I landed a job at Five Star Food Service as a cashier at the Kia plant in West Point. I enjoyed the job and quickly became an essential part of the team, participating in catering events and taking on various roles, including cook and dishwasher. However, the demands of the job, combined with running a household and managing relationships, took a toll on me. The pay and hours weren't sufficient to make it worth the stress and exhaustion.

Later, I transitioned to working at Dollar Tree, where I became an assistant manager. Despite my experience in retail, the job was still demanding, with manual labor, inventory management, and price changes taking a toll on me. The constant influx of new inventory with varying prices, including items priced at $2, $3, $5, and even $9, made it challenging to keep up. However, it was the lack of support from associates that ultimately became overwhelming. I often found myself running the store alone, without adequate staffing, and dealing with employees who would call in or no-show without consequence. The pressure and anxiety of managing the store without sufficient help became too much to bear.

I'm grateful to have left that job and prioritized my well-being. Without the constant stress and pressure to meet deadlines, I feel like a new person. No more anxiety about getting everything done by a certain time or working long hours without support. I'm now able to focus on my family, education, and personal growth.

Reflecting on my experiences in retail and food service, I've come to realize that both industries have their unique challenges and rewards. Retail requires strong customer service skills, physical stamina, and inventory management, while food service demands flexibility, multitasking, and attention to detail. While I enjoyed aspects of both jobs, I learned that prioritizing my well-being and finding a work-life balance is crucial....I do have other job experiences in food service and retail but these are just top experiences. 😮‍💨

What are your experiences working in retail or food service? What have you learned about yourself and the industries? I'd love to hear your thoughts!