Hats off to our Linda!

Linda taking a little break from the hard work at the Paris flea market

The Atlanta Journal Constitution used to run an article every Sunday entitled, “Why I Love My Job.” Our employees have kiddingly said, -- usually in jest on a particularly grueling, schleppy kind of day, when paintings show up unwired, and Styrofoam peanuts coat every surface of the gallery -- that they wanted to write their own stories. There are other days, when we’ve gotten some great new paintings, and had extraordinary Aha moments hanging for a show, and a client has been particularly enthusiastic or we’ve earned ourselves one more buying trip to France, that the appreciation is more sincere.

Linda with Monsieur and Madame Nepo

Well we’d like to turn the tables a little and write our own mini series: About why we love our employees.

Today we’re picking on our sweet and gracious Linda Mohan, who has been with us almost from the beginning, and who continues to delight us daily with how much she brings to the gallery. She’ll be mortified, of course. But as small business owners, we realize more than ever how important the people are to the work we do. So maybe this isn’t just about Linda but about what makes any employee, especially in a small business environment, invaluable and appreciated and the secret to success.

The keeper of the loot!

With apologies for causing her embarrassment and singling her out in this first expose, here are the top ten reasons why we love working with our wonderful Madame, Linda Mohan:

10. Because she’s always prompt and dependable. Like a ray of sunshine, she comes bouncing in to the gallery on Monday mornings, coffee in one hand (always in an old fashioned French coffee bowl and without a top to it – how does she do it?), and waving a fabulous article that she read over the weekend, in the other.

9. Because she has such style. Yes, appearances do matter! And how fun it is to see what chic and creative outfit our Madame will turn up in every day. She is a true original who always looks beautiful and always with a little edgy, fun panache to every outfit.

8. Because she has a great work ethic. Our Madame exemplifies hard work. She doesn’t balk at the bad stuff (and there’s plenty of it). And she seems to swoon over the good stuff. If we let her, we think sometimes she would stay in the gallery until midnight – or at least until she gets it all done. By the way, will our ever-so-slightly over-indulged and over protected children inherit this same work ethic when they hit the work force? We certainly hope so.

Our favorite Schlepperella!

7. Because she loves to travel. Indeed, as an ex-flight attendant, and one who has never lost the bug for traveling, this one is up for anything anytime, even when it means lugging 50 extra pounds of paintings and sconces back from a buying trip in France. No surprise that one of her many terms of endearment is “schlepperella.”

6. Because she’s always upbeat. We have an unwritten rule at the gallery that we will only work with people we like and people who have a positive energy. Linda’s positive energy is positively contagious.

With artist Pascal Bouterin

5. Because she’s wonderful with clients, artists, and us, even when we don’t deserve it. Luckily, Miss Linda has never met a stranger and she always makes everyone feel comfortable and at ease. Again, a note to our children – yes, education comes first, but people skills and connecting with others are the keys to success in most professions.

With artist Georges Nasri

4. Because she’s always furthering her knowledge and always curious to know more. We appreciate that she is studying art history in the evenings and reading books about art. And we love that she is curious and passionate about a lot of different interests, like travel, learning French and knowing where to find the best macaroons in whatever city she happens to visit.

3. Because she takes initiative. As small business owners, we know that feeling of hating to ask someone to do something because it’s almost easier just to do it ourselves. Well, with Linda, we don’t have to ask her to do it, because she’s already thought of it, planned it, and committed to it. Aaaah ….

With artist Ewa Rzeznik in Paris

2. Because she has a great eye. There’s nothing more fun than going on a buying trip with Linda, who will quietly rustle through a bin of paintings and manage to gently point out several that we may have overlooked (but she knows are quite fabulous). Her eye goes much further than art too, since she has a great eye for fashion, for interior design and for gifts! In fact, we kiddingly call her the VP or Corporate Gifts because nobody can find the diamond in the rough like Linda or the perfect quelque chose to bring back to somebody back home.

With artist Andree Thobaty

And the number 1 reason we love working with Linda is ...

1. Because she loves what she does, and it shows. Just as they always say you should ask for the job when you are interviewing for it, you should appreciate it when you’re in it. There is nothing better than to work with people who are enthusiastic, and as employers, there is nothing that we appreciate more than happy employees. It’s contagious, it benefits everyone and it makes us all happier to work together. Merci, Linda!

Linda, who has never met a stranger, with a new friend in Provence!

Ta ta,

HH

PS: Gallerina, M'selle and Sam: We love you too ... and watch out, your turn will come!