She’s the Queen of Office Furniture Liquidations. In any given week, she could be anywhere in the country, finding the latest office furniture to be added to our inventory and meeting with customers or moving and installation partners. She’s one of the most outgoing people in the office and always has a new way to crack a smile out of her coworkers. This week’s EthoSource Encounter features Sarah McDaniel, the Director of our Facility Services Division.
1. How long have you been at EthoSource?
I started on June 5, 2008. So, quickly coming up on 7 years.
2. What do your different job responsibilities include?
I get into all sorts of things, and that’s really what I love about it. I have had so many opportunities and experiences since I started here. My primary role is buying and selling of wholesale inventories, as well as sourcing pre-owned furniture for our own account executives. I also work on special projects and pricing analyses, product development initiatives, parts sales and development and anything I can get myself into that may help in one way or another.
3. What’s your favorite part about working in wholesale? At EthoSource?
My favorite part about working in wholesale is the opportunity to get creative and help clients find solutions to problems from start to finish, then seeing that furniture become something for completely different clients down the road…maybe immediately or maybe a few months down the road. Getting to see furniture being reused in creative ways, and being part of something that truly does make a difference, is fun for me. It is different every day and there is something to be said for that.
What is great about EthoSource is that we have small company mentality but we can do big things for big corporations. It is a family business. You are not just a number. We all know each other. We all care about one another and want to see each other do well and succeed. We have long tenures here and we are invested in the success of each and every project because we genuinely care to see them go well. We all care deeply about our company, what happens here and what happens with our projects and our customers. That translates into a commitment that results in repeat business, yes, but really it results culture where we always want things to be better, and what could be better than that? Who would want to work for a company like that? Who would not want to buy from a company like that?
4. If you could work on a liquidation project for any company in the world, whose would it be? Why?
I want to liquidate furniture for Google. Call me! 484-855-0839
5. What’s your favorite office chair?
I sit in a green leather Steelcase Leap Chair. I know…everyone loves the Aeron chair. Listen. I’m not going to tell anyone not to go out any buy an Aeron. I’ll sell anyone any Aeron any day if they really want one. But, you can buy a Leap Chair for less money, it has very comparable features, and I personally believe the Leap Chair won’t leave you with soreness on the back of your leg at the end of an 8 hour day…and you don’t need to spend 20 minutes on a fitting session to get that level of comfort. Just sit, and go! I love the Leap chair.
6. What are three things you could not live without?
Ask anyone who knows me and they will tell you I am glued to my phone. I have a mild obsession with Clarks shoes. Oh, and family.
7. What is something most people don’t know about you?
Most people at work know, but I’m a dropper. That’s right. I am a certifiable dropper. I’m a tripper, too. I can put together clear sentences and have a fantastic meeting with a client. I can present myself in public and work a cocktail hour without incident. I can run a project, play 18 holes of golf, play ninety minutes of soccer, run several miles… but I will drop a cup of coffee in my lap on the way to work at least once a month. I’ll spill coffee numerous times a week on the way up the stairs, and often leave my office mates laughing hysterically at the sheer clumsiness of my existence. I break phones…a lot of phones. I have a nickname for it. I’m just…”not right”.
8. What do you like to do outside of work?
When I am not working I like to push my limits and really enjoy life. I climb things like a monkey. My younger brother shares this hobby. I love to be on the water or on the road. It’s not uncommon for me to take a random weekend road trip to some random place. I’ll grab a friend or two, pick a spot within a 3-5 hour radius and just go.
9. What is a philosophy/quote that you live by?
It’s a new one! “The best thing your can possibly do with your life is to tackle the mother*cking sh!t out of [it]!” – Cheryl Strayed