<strong>About the employer: </strong>Foot Solutions&#8217; three area franchise stores are owned by Ryan Richard. Employees are trained specialists who sell shoes, custom arch supports and accessories to people with foot, ankle, knee, hip and back pain.</p><p><strong>My role: </strong>My job is a multifaceted blend of corporate sales representative/sales associate. As a sales associate, I float among the three stores and work with our customers, educating them on ways to relieve their discomfort. As the first corporate sales representative for the stores, my job is to find companies and groups interested in using our products.</p><p><strong>How long have you been in this position?</strong></p><p>Since February 2008.</p><p><strong>How did you find your job?</strong></p><p>I saw an ad for a sales associate on Careerbuilder.com and e-mailed Ryan Richard, the owner, right away. He didn&#8217;t respond, so I called one of the locations, and Ryan happened to answer the phone. I went on to explain how I had sent my resume the week before and was interested in working with him on corporate development.</p><p>A short time later, I met him at the Briarcliff store in Kansas City, North. He told me my ideas for corporate development would be a dream come true for his business, so we designed the position and I started the following Monday.</p><p><strong>What helped the most in the job search? </strong></p><p>I found Web sites that would deliver a series of jobs into my inbox each day automatically, according to my specifications. This kept me focused.</p><p><strong>What is your best advice for others in the job search?</strong></p><p>Know who you are, what your core passion is. I knew I needed to find a job where I could heal others in some way, but also teach and sell.</p><p><strong>What is your educational and work experience?</strong></p><p>In addition to studying two years in college (Central Missouri State University and the University of Missouri-Kansas City), I&#8217;ve co-owned six of my own retail shops, had many restaurant jobs and have traveled through seven countries, which has helped me become more empathetic to the needs of individuals.