SAM Team Member Spotlight: Janine Colon
District Manager at Storage Asset Management
Janine Colon
Meet this month’s corporate team spotlight, Janine Colon, District Manager! Janine was nominated for the spotlight by her colleague, Wanda. Wanda said, “Janine exemplifies the meaning of integrity and teamwork. She is always there to lend a hand, or even just listen when you have a problem. She is a light of sunshine when you speak with her. Always smiling and you can tell that she is truly listening. I appreciate having Janine as a teammate and look forward to working with her for years to come.” Get to know Janine in the Q&A below!
Q: Can you introduce yourself and provide some background on your role within SAM? What are your primary responsibilities and areas of expertise?
A: My name is Janine Colon I am a District Manager in Central Pennsylvania. I am in the backyard of our corporate office and I absolutely love all the opportunities it has presented me to learn from some great talent here at SAM. I have been with SAM for over four years and the biggest part of my role is operations of our facilities. The role is about partnership and supporting my team, clients, and peer group, and assisting in any way possible to support the needs of the business. I try to make sure we are always in the driver’s seat when it comes to driving the business and try my best to lead by example. I love to train, develop, and be a support.
Q: What attracted you to this role and our company?
A: Before I came to SAM, I was a district manager for a big retail chain of over 18,000 stores throughout the United States. I wanted to be able to be a part of the company growth, share feedback to assist and better processes, train and develop future talent, and assist in delivering great results and standards that drove our brand name. I wanted to make an impact in my role and leave a footprint that made a difference. SAM was a much smaller company, seemed to value their employees, and had shown a lot of growth. They were known for being a great company to work for. Just what I was looking for. The leadership of the company seemed hungry to continue to evolve. There was opportunity for growth, to be heard and share ideas, and there was work life balance. Most of all, people were interested in what I had to contribute.
Q: What do you enjoy most about working at SAM? Is there a specific aspect of your job or the company culture that you find particularly rewarding?
A: I love that there are so many people here ready to assist and answer questions. From all levels, the support I have received here has always been great. I love that my feedback is asked for and most of all I feel valued here. I love working with my team and peer group and learning every day and sharing innovative ideas with one another to continue our growth and success. I love to help at any level, whether it is to test a process, answer a question for a peer or my leadership team, or simply train and develop and see the growth from my team members or peers, knowing I was a positive impact on their growth and development. I measure success through the success of my team. When they win, I feel like I have won. I love that we are truly known here, not just a number. It makes me feel like I am a part of a great company. I love how the leaders are open and are only a call away, always willing to help.
Q: Has a memorable life lesson or advice shaped your outlook or approach to life and work?
A: In my very first role as a district manager, my regional told me the only limits you have are the ones you place on yourself. If you want to win, it starts with your mindset and understanding that failure leads to success. Some of the most prominent people that have been successful have failed along the way, the only difference was they didn’t quit. They got back up and continued to TRY. “Winners Creed” is something I always used as an inspirational quote for my team because of what was shared with me so many years ago. Understanding that winning starts with your state of mind. I never allowed myself to quit. I stayed passionate and driven and always allowed feedback for growth.
Q: Outside of work, what hobbies or interests do you enjoy pursuing in your free time?
A: I have so many things that I enjoy in my spare time. I absolutely love motorcycles, interior decorating, making candles, and yard work for great stress relief.
Q: Can you share a fun fact about yourself?
A: I learned to ride motorcycle because someone told me I could not do it. This was the start of me at a young age having the mindset that I can do whatever I set my mind to do. I have been riding now since 2001.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share about yourself?
A: I am a mother of three grown and beautiful kids. My two oldest are boys and my youngest is a girl. I am a grandmother of four, fur mommy of two small Yorkies, Mocha and Milo, and an African Grey named LULU. I am working on a bucket list of things I want to do and the top of my list is fly in a hot air balloon.