Success Story: Sales associate changes ‘life around’ at Goodwill

 10/3/2014

Nikol Mayfield didn’t have much when she moved to Oklahoma, just her two young children and their clothes. She didn’t have a job, either, which actually came as a surprise.

Nikol Mayfield, 38, is a sales associate at the Southwest Boulevard Goodwill® Store.

Her former employer in Tennessee had worked out a transfer. But on her second day with the company in Oklahoma, Mayfield was informed that there was not a position for her.

Mayfield felt stuck, even living with her brother in Glenpool. His home was close to a Goodwill^® store. Familiar with the stores from her childhood in Louisiana, Mayfield took a chance and stopped in. Things began to change for her soon after.

Just 14 months later, Mayfield and her children now have their own 2 bedroom apartment. She has a car to get to her job at the Southwest Boulevard Store, where she’s worked since January.

“All through Goodwill,” she said. “Goodwill changed my whole life around.”

Goodwill has treated her like family, Mayfield said. People such as Glenpool store manager Debbie Timmons, who was moved by Mayfield’s situation and hired her as a part-time sales associate in August 2013.

“She taught me everything,” Mayfield explained. “It was my first real retail job.”

Timmons later recommended Mayfield pursue a transfer to a full-time position at the Southwest Boulevard store. When Mayfield hesitated because she didn’t have a car, Timmons steered her toward transportation options.

“Your break has finally happened,” Mayfield recalled Timmons telling her. “This is your time to shine.”

Mayfield feels the same family spirit at Southwest Boulevard working with store manager Jaime Monroe and her team.

“They inspire me,” Mayfield said, nodding for emphasis.

Goodwill is helping Mayfield achieve another victory — finishing her high school education. She dropped out when her mother became ill to help out in a household with four children and a father who was a quadriplegic. Goodwill Tulsa recently started a GED training program through a partnership with Union Public Schools. Mayfield was encouraged to enroll. And when she thought about her own children, one a valedictorian headed to Oklahoma University, the other looking to graduate and attend Tulsa University, she felt the timing was right.

Goodwill sales associate Nikol Mayfield is thankful for the support from Southwest Boulevard store manager Jaime Monroe (right) and others on the management team.

“It’s time for mama,” Mayfield, 38, said. “I jumped on it.”

Mayfield feels she is really learning in the class, unlike past attempts. Instructor Charlie Weeks’ teaching style eased her nerves. The students also collaborate on their lessons and help each other learn.

Mayfield is confident that she will pass the GED test. From there, she wants to pursue a degree in business management. She has a positive outlook thanks to her Goodwill experience. Mayfield hopes her story would inspire others to seize opportunities to better their lives.

Her advice: “Don’t be scared of a challenge.”