11 years ago I was interviewing candidates for the accounting position in the company. There were many qualified people for the job, but no one stood out as a good fit for our close-knit family of long-time employees. That is until Steve walked in. He was soft-spoken and nervous during the interview. His accounting credentials were solid. Then he launched into the story of his other life. He and a partner own Vault of Midnight, Ann Arbor’s premier comic book store. My ears perked up because our previous motorcycle-riding accountant had also had unique qualities. People with full lives make better employees, I said to myself. I had found my new employee.
For all these years, Steve has been juggling his full-time career with Reinhart and his responsibilities with Vault of Midnight, working 7 days a week and many evenings much of the time. Keeping the dream alive has meant moving the store 4 times and working harder than most people could handle. Today the store occupies a prime location on Main Street in downtown Ann Arbor. Business has steadily improved and its reputation has grown.
This weekend Vault of Midnight won the most prestigious award in the comic business, the Eisner Award. It’s the equivalent to the comic industry what the Academy Awards are to the movies. 100 stores around the WORLD were nominated, and our very own Vault of Midnight was the winner. Congratulations, Steve! We know how hard you’ve worked and we’re incredibly proud of you!!
Just don’t quit your day job!
Here’s the video that led to this extraordinary recognition:
Congratulations, Steve! I’ll be sure to stop in the next time I’m in Ann Arbor.
Comment by Valerie Suelzer — August 16, 2010 @ 8:43 am