OLN Inc. is a team of travelers. Our team members are from all different walks of life, which is something we are proud of. We are made up of different experiences and backgrounds, reaching all the way across the pond. This month, we wanted to shine a light on one of these people, Samantha Dorrough. Coming all the way from the UK, Samantha has been with our team since August of 2017 and serves as an Assistant Manager! In this one on one interview, she spoke with us about life, success, and the progression to assistant management.
Where were you born?
“I was born in England!”
Is that where you were primarily raised?
“Not so much. I stayed there until I was eight years old, then moved I moved to Los Angeles. I lived in Ohio, Michigan, and Georgia as well, I moved around a bit.”
How would your parents have described you as a kid?
“I was very competitive, social, outgoing, and very athletic.”
Were you in any sports or extracurriculars?
“I was involved in competitive cheerleading and gymnastics. I also played violin and piano.”
How did that competitive environment help develop you?
“It made me extremely competitive in everything that I did. I always wanted my side jobs throughout high school and college to be waitressing so I could take more tables than the other people in order to make more tips.”
Did you have any idea you would end up in this field?
“Not at all, I originally wanted to go into psychiatry.”
What were you up to in college?
“I was the social secretary for my volleyball team, so I was in charge of arranging all of the social events that we did as a team.”
Where did you work before joining our team?
“I was at different waitressing jobs all throughout high school and college, as well as teaching severe, non-verbal special needs children. I worked with special needs children when I finished college as well.”
What is one life experience that you feel has changed you?
“Moving around so much changed my life. I think it has made me a more independent and self-managed person, which has really helped me in this business.”
What is something we might not know about you by just looking at you?
“I’m an extremely good singer, Christina Aguilera style voice. My dad is a singer and I was raised around music, going to gigs and the recording studio throughout my childhood. I also helped him write a few of the songs for one of his albums.”
When did you start with the company?
“August 20th, 2017”
What were your first thoughts when starting with the company?
“The first thing I remember my manager saying was “everyone be quiet, I’m about to teach you all how to become a millionaire” and I was drawn in from that point. I really liked the idea of no seniority as I had been very competitive throughout my whole life.”
How would you describe the culture?
“From the start, it has been very welcoming and competitive but in a friendly and helpful way.”
What has been your best memory with the company?
“Literally every single day is something new and helps me grow in some way, shape or form. Best memory was definitely getting promoted to assistant manager, so far.”
What is something you’ve learned through your work you didn’t know before?
“Just that a career like this even exists. I love that we all grow together and in order to reach your goals you have to help others reach theirs.”
How has this career changed you as a person?
“It has made me much more professional and goal driven.”
Describe your progression to Assistant Management?
“I was very stagnant in the business for the first year, I always had only one or two people on my team. Then I started really focusing on putting my energy into my team and really getting to know people and from there, things started changing.”
What are some of your current responsibilities in the company?
“I am responsible for training and teaching everyone in the office, learning the office side of things, including accounting, payroll, and the daily tasks a manager has.”
How do you motivate your team in and out of the office?
“I learn what their goals really are, short term or long term, and connect them to the business and help them find out how they’re going to achieve them.”
What advice do you have for newcomers in the industry?
“The great part about this business is that everyone we’re learning from has been through it themselves, so be sure to ask questions. By learning from their experiences, you don’t have to make the same mistakes that they may have made.”
What are your goals with the company?
“I want to move into a consultant role for our client by the time I’m 30 and travel to the offices across the country to help coach anyone and everyone that I can.”
Do you have any mentors inside/outside of work?
“My manager, Elijah Medge, is my mentor for every part of my life. Financial, professional, personal. His advice and direction are what has gotten me to the point where I am today.”
What do you do for fun when you’re not working?
“I pretty much just find out what people on my team enjoy doing and do those things with them. I also spend time with my parents and brother, going out to eat or watching movies or doing game nights.”
Samantha, thank you for everything you do! Who knows where we would be without your hard work, sense of humor, and killer competitive edge. We can’t wait to see all that you achieve this year.
Originally published at olninc.wordpress.com on February 22, 2019.
