Hey, Life with Justin Stephens community! Justin here, sharing a journal entry on my first day at WinCo—it's been an exciting step in this journey of balancing hustles, stability, and growth. As we document the ups and downs, tying into personal finance, success, business, sales, and marketing, today is all about new beginnings. The day went really well, I learned a lot, and I'm pumped for what's ahead. Let's break it down.

A Smooth Start: Onboarding and Key Takeaways

My first day was all about onboarding—going through the company's courses and getting oriented. It was thorough and engaging, setting a strong foundation. One of the biggest things I took away was WinCo's intense focus on customer service. They may be the low-cost leader, keeping prices down for shoppers, but that doesn't mean customer service lacks—in fact, it's a priority. We were encouraged to interact with customers, help them find what they need, bag their groceries if requested, or even load their cars. It's our job, no matter the role, to ensure every client has an amazing experience. This resonates with me as I build my handyman business—great service turns one-time jobs into loyal clients.

The ESOP Appeal and Night Shift Setup

What drew me to WinCo is it's an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan), meaning I'll earn ownership in the company alongside my hourly rate. That's huge for personal finance—building wealth through work, aligning with my long-term goals. It also fits perfectly with my schedule: I start as a freight clerk on August 13th, working nights from 11 PM to 7:30 AM. If you're a late-night shopper in the Meridian area, I might even get to help you! Working nights means I can run Justin's Handyman Services during the day—handling reorganizing, power washing, yard work, and more—while the steady paycheck and benefits help provide for my family. It's a smart balance, letting me invest blog/handyman revenue back into growth without pressure.

Looking Ahead: Excitement for the Adventure

Overall, the day reinforced why WinCo was a dream company—strong values, team focus, and opportunities for ownership. I'm very excited to see where this adventure takes me, blending stability with my entrepreneurial pursuits.

Why This Matters for Your Journey

Updates like this show how career moves support bigger visions: Finance through ESOPs, success via service excellence, and resilience in balancing roles. It's all part of creating a life of impact.

At Life with Justin Stephens, we share raw Journal Entries like this, alongside Point of View stories, Life Strategy tips, Resources, and Great Causes to inspire your path in finance, business, sales, marketing, and beyond.

Call to Action: Subscribe at justindcstephens.com for daily motivation. If you're starting a new job, share this post, and comment: What's one thing you're excited about in your work?

P.S. Tomorrow, a Life Strategy post on customer service excellence in business. Stay tuned!

To your success,
Justin Stephens