I don’t really talk about my real job on the blog. I have vaguely mentioned that I have one and that I work in non-profit communications. I can also take that one step further and say I work on behalf of children. I’ve had two jobs and both have been for organizations that help children.
I didn’t start out in non-profit communications, but I have always worked with children. I have literally never had a job that wasn’t with kids in some way. I didn’t necessarily plan to do this, but my life just kind of worked out that way. In college, I worked in a church nursery and was a day camp counselor, and babysat on the side, but today I’m throwing it back to high school.
My very first job was at Club Libby Lu. Do you guys remember this?
It was a little girl’s store that did birthday parties and sold clothes covered in glitter. We did hair, makeup and nails. Then they could choose between making “potions” aka lotion and body glitter or the pooch parlor where they could dress up a stuffed dog and carry it around in a purse. Following that, they did the birthday song and dance. This was a whole choreographed number that we had to practice on Sundays before we opened.
We featured crazy amounts of Hannah Montana and could even turn little girls into Hannah Montana with a long blonde wig. In addition, I had to dance to “Best of Both Worlds” every hour on the hour. This was my fun party trick in high school…We also did cotton eyed joe, cha cha slide, chicken dance, electric slide, you name it, I probably knew the dance.
In addition to all of this, we also sprinkled glitter all over the girls and allowed them to make “wishes.” I haven’t worked at Libby Lu in seven years, but I still find glitter on my clothes sometimes.
This job was a great first job. I did have to work black Friday because it was a retail store, but other than that it was fun. I learned how to pierce ears, all the words to every Disney Channel song ever, and a ton of crazy hairstyles which in turn made me the go-to girl for every school dance. Club Libby Lu was also in the mall so during our breaks we got to go flirt with the hotties that worked at Great American Cookie. Life was good.
In addition to these “skills,” I also learned the important lessons one learns during a first job. Budgeting for example. If you spend all the money you earn at the mall on your break, you literally don’t have enough for gas to get to school and back so you have to take the bus like a loser. Also during my time at Libs, I learned great lessons in customer service. Nothing is worse than spoiled children’s scary parents. I learned more life lessons about how to react when adults say terrible things to you, and when creepy dads hit on you. Not lessons every sixteen-year-old learns, but I was actually grateful to have the experience so I never have to have it again.
I worked incredibly hard while I was at Libby Lu, they were actually in the process of promoting me to manager with a raise my senior year when sadly Saks decided to close all Libby Lu locations. Even though I didn’t get to become a manager, I liked knowing that was the direction I was going in high school. This taught me that hard work pays off. I use this lesson in every job I have.
This was such a great job. I wish they were still in business, I could use a verse or two of “Best of Both Worlds” during my work day.
What was your first job?
OH MY GOSH!! Why haven't I ever heard of a place like this?! That would have been my dream when I was a kid!
I remember Libby Lu! They had one in the giant mall in the burbs here. I was too old for it for sure, but I always wished I wasn't haha. My first job was at a country club. Still the best job ever. I was the receptionist at the pool and served drinks to the rich moms who weren't supposed to have alcohol by the pool, so I made mad money in tips. And then I drove the beer cart on the golf course. SO MUCH MONEY. I wish I could still be doing that!
What a fun job! I remember going to the mall and seeing all the girls all glitzed out!
Oh my goodness what a fun first job! I think I would totally love doing that, even now! My first job was at TCBY (frozen yogurt place if you don't have those where you live) and it was a fun first job too. It got a little hectic at times but there were also the moments I could fill up a sample cup with my favorite flavor and some toppings and just love life. The cleaning yogurt machines and the bathrooms I could do without, or the time the bum locked himself in the bathroom, but other than that it was a great first job!
My first job was at a dog kennel. I actually LOVED it. I mean, dogs!
What a great first job!! I mean … I would have loved it!
I have totally never heard of Libby Lu. Guess that's a downfall of growing up in Canada and missing out on all the cool American things like Libby Lu and Nickelodeon. I was totally proud that I knew the cotton-eye joe too, but that was all from Bat Mitzvahs.
um, this sounds amazing! what a fun first job. i mean, i'm sure it had it's moments, but who doesn't love hannah montana?!
I have never heard of Libby Lu's! What a fun first job! My first job was cleaning horse stalls every morning before school… definitely not as fun and glittery!
I'd never heard of Lubby Lu until now, and I'm a little horrified. In the photos, you (and your coworkers) seem so composed and calm… yet a store full of glitter-infused pre-teens sounds sort-of like a nightmare. You might be some kind of saint.