Hi everyone,

I had the pleasure of interviewing Natalie Lamb who is the director of laboratory services at Sampson Regional Medical Center in Clinton, North Carolina. I have included my audio interview with Natalie from today November 05, 2019. Natalie has worked in the laboratory setting for 21 1/2 years and prior to being the laboratory director she was the senior blood bank technologist for Sampson Regional Medical Center. Sampson Regional Medical Center was developed in 1950, consists of 146 total beds, and it is independently operated in the small rural town of Sampson County, NC. Sampson Regional is a community based hospital that takes pride in the community as well as surrounding communities. Being a small hospital in a small town allows for a better community approach with the individuals and everyone seems to treat each other like family. Natalie has staff members who work well together like family which alleviates those challenges of employees not working well together. It seems that in smaller facilities, employees have the opportunity to get to know one another just like a work family. Natalie sees everyday challenges especially with developing a schedule that can accommodate all employees while considering time off requests. However, with a smaller employee ratio schedules can be relatively easy until someone needs off or has to call out. Natalie mentioned knowing the budget well as a director she has the responsibility of overseeing the laboratory budget and ensuring everyone follows that budget. As Natalie said, passion plays a role in job performance. If you love your job your performance will be excellent and reflect that determination and motivation. Whereas, if you dislike your job you will not perform at a top notch level. One of the final concepts that Natalie pointed out is to always ask for help when needed and implement change where you see fit, this is important in any business. I’ve learned a lot from this interview with Natalie Lamb along with researching information about the hospital. Look forward to reading feedback provided!

Thanks!

Continue reading

Gracewear Mission Statement:
“The mission of Gracewear Collection is to offer a powerful and purposeful Christian lifestyle brand that represents covering women daily in God’s protection, mercy and grace. The Shield of Faith Collection is an beautiful way for women to wear and share their faith- while intentionally putting on the Armor of God for all of life’s battles.
Our vision is to share with women about the gift of God’s Grace, and His promise that there is absolutely NO sin, great or small, that His Grace will not cover. God calls us to be ambassadors for Christ and to let His love and light shine through us. Gracewear Collection is based on Ephesians 6: 10-18 and is created to offer HOPE and PROTECTION through the Armor of God.”

Gracewear is a small boutique in the heart of Cashiers NC. It was founded by Mary Blackburn and Wendy Lupas. Mary and Wendy are sisters that have a background in marketing. Although owning a boutique was not something they had planned, they did know for sure that they wanted to help women and children in a spiritual way. Gracewear is their signature brand. What makes this boutique unique is that they have designed and marketed their own brand. The brand is the armor of God. Which is own their jewelry, handbags, and other various items that are in their store.
What type of funding did you obtain in order to own this boutique?
Mary stated “we are self-funded, there weren’t any loans, crowdfunding, or anything of that nature that they used to open their boutique. Our brand is trademarked and backed by investors.”
What type of inventory system do you have?
“We tried numerous ones but found that Vend was the best.” Its an all in one inventory POS system that does the inventory while they are making sales.
Do you obtain any other brands to sell in your store?
Mary said that they travel to the Atlanta market to obtain some other brands to offer their cliental. She also stated that Gracewear is also sold to other venders for them to sell as well.
Mary also said that they do not own their current space, and that they do rent the building.

Continue reading