Our Team Rocks! An interview with Chris.
MANAGER: Chris Q.
LOCATION: San Antonio
POSITION: General Manager
TENURE: 4 Years in January
How did your career path lead you to Landvest? I’ve worked in the restaurant industry for over 12 years and I needed a change of pace and a new environment to grow. When I was ready to make the change I asked every friend and any person willing to share information with me on what they did for work, did they make enough income, and if they were happy to be there. That is how I came across the opportunity with Landvest. I’m happy to say that it was the change I was looking for and I couldn’t have been more grateful.
What is the best advice you’ve received in your career? One piece of advice I live by both in my career and personal life is to be responsible for your mistakes. It’s best to realize your mistake, assume responsibility, and give yourself the opportunity to fix it. Understanding what went wrong and learning what can be done better next time is all a part of taking responsibility. When you know better, you do better and when you do better you will undoubtedly be remembered for your successes rather than your failures.
Which experience(s) in your career influenced who you are today? Working in a customer service position has it’s challenges however it’s important to understand what services you have to offer to be able to provide the best possible solutions to a customer’s needs. In my experience, it’s important to never take things personally when you cannot meet someone’s expectations.
What is your favorite part of your position? My favorite part of my job is understanding I am in a unique position to help those who are in transition when it comes to their living situations. Not in all cases, but when some people come to store with us, they could be selling their home, buying a home, going home from college for the summer, need extra space at home, or simply need a safe place to store their items because they don’t have a home. As a full service manager, I am able to provide the resources available to help those individuals get to their next step in life. When you see the look of relief change someone’s demeanor once they realize they have come to the right place, it creates an emotional bond with someone who is offering a solution to their problem and lowers the anxiety of what needs to be done next during those critical times.
What is your least favorite part of your position? My least favorite part of my position is when tenants misunderstand what our policies and procedures entail and put themselves in a position that I cannot help with. I then look like the bad guy when I say no, I cannot help you with that, although it’s in the contract they signed off on when they agreed to do business with me. I make sure to have other resources or suggestions readily available to help with whatever issues may arise.
If you could only call one member of the Landvest team to answer a question, any question, who would you call and why? Michael Bailey has been my go to guy. He always has an answer for me or is able to direct me to who would be able to answer my questions. We work well together and that is very important to me.
Describe the endeavor you are most proud of while being part of the Landvest team? Currently, I’m in the process of becoming a certified manager. It’s important to me to qualify to the highest standard level of what Landvest is about with the intention of not only making more income but allowing doors of opportunity to open for other positions within the company.
What would you tell someone that is thinking about joining the Landvest team? If you’re looking to work in an environment where you have the opportunity to shine in a position enabled by your own self-motivation and determination, Landvest would be a great fit for you!
If you could have one superpower, what would it be, and why? My one super power would be to have the light in me shine as bright as the sun with the ability to show others they can do the same.
If money were no object, where would you want to vacation for a week, and why? Dubai is definitely a place I would love to visit. When you think of luxury, fine dining, amazing architecture, popping night life, and beach life, you cannot go wrong with Dubai. This place is what all dreams are made of and being in that type of environment would certainly make me feel as though I was living my best life.