How cool is it to be a pioneer?
Just like my grandparents’ broke ground on homesteads in northern Saskatchewan, I am excited to be part of “tilling the soil” of Senior Move Management to Edmonton!
Leaving my 29-year career at Sentinel Self-Storage was not something I took lightly. It was a big part of my life for many, many years. It was fun to be part of the self-storage growth into the multimillion-dollar industry it is today.
But it was also time to step out of my comfort zone and grow personally!
It was awesome to find the National Association of Senior Move Managers while doing my research for Move Coordinators Inc. What a group it is! In October 2002, 22 individuals came together to create NASMM. They valued professionalism, integrity and sharing of information.
I dove into their amazing Front Door training program. I devoured every article I could find about downsizing and senior housing.
In February 2018, this nervous newbie attended my first NASMM conference. What a rush to be surrounded by so many caring, passionate individuals! It reminded me of the early days of storage, when the entrepreneur spirit was rampant. Rules were being made as we moved forward.
I had found my tribe!
Every person I met shared their stories and experiences. They were so generous with their time and information. Why? It showed how much they cared about the work we do. Their faces lit up when they spoke of their work.
So, this Senior Move Manager returned to Edmonton even more inspired and focused.
NASMM values continuing education, along with practical experience. With this in mind, the Certification program became my next goal.
What does certification entail? Education AND 40 invoiced Senior Move Management projects.
NASMM Cornerstone Courses: (Safety, Ethics & Accountability, The Moving Industry 101 and Contracts and Liability)
Not done yet! Add on comprehensive eSMMART Courses (Aging in Place, Behind Closed Doors: Getting a Handle on Hoarding, Dementia and Cognitive Disorders, Memory and Forgettery, plus Communication Matters)
WHEW! And you know what? – I DID IT!
In October 2019, I became the first and so far, ONLY SMM-Certified in Western Canada.
The 2019 NASMM Conference felt more familiar as I stretched my new senior move muscles. The same excitement and passion flowed. I even got a chance to present a 5 minute IGNITE presentation in front of the crowd of 500. Cool, huh?
This year? The 2020 NASMM Conference is March 5-8 in Houston Texas, and this newly certified SMM from Edmonton, Alberta Canada is presenting an hour-long workshop on what… Self Storage and the SMM!
Being a pioneer is hard work. Some days you just want to quit and go back to what is safe and familiar.
Then, Move Coordinators has an amazing day. Hugs after helping a senior get settled into their new home – where they will be safe, secure and part of a new community. A sense of accomplishment at work done well. A new tribe opens their arms to you.
Here’s to growth!