Back in the 1960’s when I was old enough to be around our family business, I met Clara. She worked in sales at our clothing store.
There were women selling women’s clothing, but I don’t remember many women selling men’s clothing.
But Clara did.
She was a great salesperson.
Passionate. Competitive. Customer-Oriented. Ethical.
The only part of the job where she needed help was when it came to taking measurements for a man who was buying a tailored suit. One of the other salesmen would take the inseam and waist measurements, but otherwise Clara was in charge.
Just like the rest of the sales staff she worked on a small draw, and most of her income was commission.
The same compensation as men.
Clara had customers whom she knew well and was seen as their trusted advisor when it came to how they dressed.
Our store would not have been as successful if it weren’t for Clara.
Are there assumptions you’re making about who can sell your products and services for which your mindset is setting you back?
Do you have a bias that is getting in your way?
Would your customers be even better served if you thought differently?
Put those attitudes down.
Seek out your version of Clara.
And thrive.
Mark Hirschfeld 
I had the pleasure of working at Hirschfeld and with Clara. It was after being there a while and we were doing displays, Clara climbed up the ladder to change the display and said something on the line to back in my younger days. I ask her if she didn’t mind how old was she I was 18-19 at the time and figured she was in her 50s which was “Old” she was actually a lot older and that was the day I decided old was a number.
Another memory was being at Merricks for a company luncheon and her sending a plate around and telling everyone to put their parsley on it as she teased Mendel about eating it before his meal. I never seen parsel without thinking of Leonard and Mendel and of course Clara.
THANK YOU so much for your kind note! Sounds like you had a good experience working for my family. I just love the parsley story– now I won’t be able to look at parsley and not think of my family… and you! Best regards, Mark