Career Path:

Bookselling as Second Nature
Mark Krajewski, assistant store manager
Southlake, Texas

Dejected and smelling faintly of French fries, Mark Krajewski walked out of a popular fast food restaurant chain after his first and last day of working there.  “Fast food was not for me!” says Mark of his one-day stint.  “I felt like I could be replaced at any minute, and the job wasn’t the least bit satisfying.” 

Mark quit fast food in search of a position that would give him gratification for a job well done.  He found what he was looking for as a seasonal bookseller.  After holding several positions in his 10 years with our company, including part-time bookseller, lead and merchandise manager, Mark is now an assistant store manager at the Southlake, TX, store.

His leadership role has made him conscious that his behavior is a model for other booksellers, and, therefore, Mark is consistently delivering our core service principles.  Mark says, “When I first started, I carried around a store business card with our core service principles written on the back.  Before my shift, I would recite them to myself as a reminder.  Now, I don’t need the business card anymore.  It has become second nature.” 

Mark has also shifted his perspective from the one he held in his previous roles.  “When I was a merchandise manager, I mostly enjoyed finding the perfect spot for displays and watching how well the titles sell.  But, I can’t do that anymore.  As an assistant store manager, I have to broaden my focus to include the whole picture – how does that single display function within all of the other displays?” 

For booksellers aiming to grow within our company, Mark advises, “Always be ready and willing for a challenge.  Don’t hesitate, just jump in.”  For instance, when Mark was promoted to department manager, the store did not have a café manager for a brief period of time, so all of the managers pitched in to help run the café smoothly.  Mark hadn’t been cross-trained in café yet, but was more than willing to give it a shot.  Within a few days, Mark was on top of all things café and could whip up a mean Iced Caramel Macchiato! 

Mark adds, “I really enjoy my job.  I don’t know many people who can say that…  Plus, the smell of books is a whole lot better than the smell of French fries!”