A lot of people have worked for Lowe’s over the course of the company’s proud 100-year history.
Few have done it longer than Charles Hazelwood, a pro sales specialist in South Boston, Virginia.
Hazelwood, 67, just reached his 39th year at Lowe’s.
“It doesn’t seem that long at all,” he said.
That’s because Hazelwood has a true passion for his work. He loves helping his pro customers get what they need, and he’s built lasting relationships with them over his nearly four decades at Lowe’s.
“I’ve known many of my customers for over 25 years, some of which are now my personal friends,” he said.
Minus a short stint at the Lowe’s corporate office, Hazelwood has been in a pro sales role for the entirety of his tenure. It’s what he likes, and it’s certainly what he’s good at, with his ability to digest contractor blueprints and provide quick solutions.
My wife jokes that I’ll die at Lowe’s, but I tell everyone it doesn’t feel like I’m working for Lowe’s at all ... it feels like I’m working for the customer, and that’s the best part of the job.
“A lot of people shop with us because of Charles,” said South Boston store manager Simon Jones, who first started working with Hazelwood in 1984. “They come in and don’t want anyone to help them except for Charles. That’s why he won’t retire – he’s got an attachment to his customers.”
That focus on the customer has been the key to Hazelwood’s success.
“My wife jokes that I’ll die at Lowe’s, but I tell everyone it doesn’t feel like I’m working for Lowe’s at all … it feels like I’m working for the customer, and that’s the best part of the job,” he said. “In serving customers, I feel rewarded and I am rewarded seeing their projects come to life.”
Hazelwood has seen plenty of change at Lowe’s since he started out in 1982. Take the store he works in, for example. He started out on a 5,000 square foot sales floor and now his store totals 95,000 square feet.
“But he’s been the same person the whole time. He’s consistent,” Jones said. “He has a passion for customer service. He’s dedicated to Lowe’s – always has been.
“He’s a wealth of knowledge. He’s been a sounding board for me. I respect his opinion and he doesn’t mind giving it to me. He’s an asset. The day he leaves will be tough for us.”
Hazelwood isn’t sure when that last day will come, and that suits him just fine.
He’ll continue to take it one day at a time, one customer at a time. And over the course of 39 years, that approach amounts to a lot of lives impacted.
Jones, the store manager, perhaps put it best.
“Charles is Lowe’s.”
