Hard Work Paying Off

Sam Sanders, Store Team Leader

Florida’s unemployment rate was 11.3 percent in July 2020, up 8.2 percentage points from a year ago, according to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. However, one black Miami Beach man is living his dream, which he counts a blessing.

Sam Sanders, 42, graduated college almost 20 years ago with his dream job in hand and a positive attitude toward working hard to achieve a higher standard of living.

“I always wanted to be successful, like Michael Jordan," Sanders said. “One day in a business accounting class my professor asked, ‘who wants to be rich?’ Of course, everyone raised their hand.”

In the Rutgers University (Rutgers) class, Sanders said his professor told students the path to becoming rich was to create something people need done but will not do on their own. Using a lawn service as an example, Sanders talked about how landscapers maintain manicured shrubs and lawns for those homeowners who could afford to pay for the professional service. He said this was the precise get rich method the professor lectured about to the class.

In Florida, an entry- level landscaper with 1 – 3 years experience earns an average annual salary of $56,885, according to salaryexpert.com. A senior level landscaper with eight or more years experience earns an average salary of $99,324 a year. This does not take into account small business owned lawn services and others who contract for this type of business.

After playing basketball one year for Rutgers, Sanders transferred to The University of South Florida (USF), Tampa, to continue his education and playing basketball with the Bulls, earning a bachelor’s in Advertising with a minor in Business. He said the degree was the perfect match for the job that was about to set his life in forward motion. During a 12 –month internship with Outback Steakhouse, Sanders had a conversation with a corporate mentor who positioned his career on track with the company.

“I had the privilege to have lunch with Chris Sullivan, the CEO for Outback. I told him about my dream to succeed and he offered me a job,” Sanders said. “I was really lucky.”

Working 60-70 hours a week learning the culture, while advancing within a few years to earn a managing partner position, Sanders accomplished the administrative aspect of the restaurant business, including how to keep customer’s happy.

“I was with Outback for 13 years,” Sanders said. “I loved my job; it was like the perfect storm.”

Sanders has been on the upside of Corporate America for practically 20 years. Working long hours, paying attention to detail and procedure, he continues to climb the corporate ladder, while building a real estate portfolio and other personal investments on the side.

Although he was on track at Outback, he admitted the long hours were arduous. A close friend referred Sanders to Whole Foods Market, a natural and organic supermarket chain with headquarters in Austin, Texas, and he made the career switch.

Whole Foods started business in 1980 with one small store in Austin, and has become the leader in natural and organic foods, with more than 500 stores in North America and the United Kingdom, reports the company. It is known for exclusively selling products free from hydrogenated fats and artificial colors, flavors and preservatives. Its mission and values statement promotes the supermarket wants to nourish people and the planet.

Working closer to 40 hours a week with Whole Foods, Sanders said he has been blessed to have stable employment since college. He is excited about his new venture and responsibilities, now 7 years with Whole Foods Market since the career transformation. Sanders explained he likes the corporate strategy Whole Foods displays, and has made the transition from a restaurant to supermarket mindset.

“I work hard but still have time to enjoy life,” he explained. “I’m doing what I love and would tell anyone to just go for it and not give up. I am looking forward to growing my current position to possibly managing a new high volume store in another area of Miami.”

Sanders enjoys time with family

Sanders has a dedicated work ethic, one he says can be attributed to his parents and their hard work raising two sons. Growing up in St. Petersburg, Florida, Sanders said his parents were great examples of commitment and dedication to succeed. He said he enjoys spending time with family whenever possible, attending reunions, cruises and just hanging out on special visits and holidays.

“College may not be for everyone,” said Sanders. “However, you can find something you like and go hard at it. My advice is to find your niche and stay with it to generate your happiness and wealth.”

Sanders said he is looking forward to getting involved either in his current Miami Beach community or an area in St. Petersburg where he spent time as a youngster. He said he could see himself mentoring young children, playing basketball or football at a community center. He said playing basketball at the St. Petersburg Housing Authority gave him exposure to college recruits.

As a determined professional black man, Sanders is an example of someone who never stopped moving forward in his career.

“One of my life goals is to end poverty,” Sanders explained. “Every kid should have food to eat and decent water to drink. We have the resources globally to end poverty; that ties in with the vision of Whole Foods and I really like that concept.”

Sanders said if he could change one thing in his life he would probably play football instead of basketball. He thinks the chance of making it to the NFL is an easier path than NBA.

“I still want to do some other hobbies like maybe acting or singing, who knows,” says the enthusiastic, single man who looks forward to new ventures and having fun in the Florida sun. “I love binge watching Netflix movies, Top Gun is my favorite, along with every movie featuring Denzel (Washington). I can see myself as a music producer or actor, something on the big screen.

I’m a pretty cool, laid back brother with a vision,” laughed Sanders. “I’m all about peace, love and positive energy. You put in the universe what you receive back. I believe we are on this earth to give back to others, to be a blessing.”

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