La Schelle Brown has been with Pilot Flying J for more than three years, and she was recently promoted to Guest Services Leader 1 at one of our stores in Jacksonville, Florida.
La Schelle is a mother to three children: Tamara, 21, Tyesha, 18, and Thurman, 13. When she’s not homeschooling her kids, working or studying for her master’s in business administration with a certification in marketing, she’s visiting other Pilot stores and team members.
Hear more about her career path, her passion for building up team members and her advice about growing and learning below!
Tell us what brought you to Pilot and what you do here.
I was in the Navy for eight and a half years. I was overseas, where I was an electrician and then moved into leadership training. I trained leaders on how to improve their systems. I got so much out of the military. I think it made me into the person I am today.
I got out of the military in 1998 and was a stay-at-home mom until three years ago.
What made me decide to apply at Pilot? I went in one day and it just felt like home. I felt comfortable there. I started as a cashier and was quickly recommended for a leadership role. I was hesitant because I was just jumping back into the workforce, and I didn’t want to stay long. But I said yes and started on rotating shifts. Those were long hours, but I had good mentors who pushed hard to get me trained.
I like to do my own thing. At my heart, I’m an innovator who likes to do things differently. I don’t want to be like everyone else. I want to set the bar. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our processes and what’s written in black and white, we forget about the people who are reading the training books and memos. We forget to tell people that, ‘Yes, you have to follow the policies and procedures, but you can put your own spin on it.’
What do you enjoy about your job?
The guests are why I’ve stayed at this job. We are the first contact that drivers have, possibly after hours and hours and hours on the road. Someone might walk in tired and cranky to grab a coffee, and after interacting with us, they walk out smiling. That means the world to me.
While the guests are why I have stayed, lately, I’ve become so passionate about the team – not just at my store but in the company. I realized I was put here to help guide them. To give them clarity on what their purpose is each day. I help get people excited about what they are doing. Let them know we can make it through the up and downs. Things aren’t always perfect. Mistakes can be fixed. It’s about changing your mindset. If we don’t build great leaders, then who would be there to serve the guests?
La Schelle and our VP, Operations Zone 2, Allison Cornish
We interact over social media and you would think we were best friends. We are one big store. At the end of the day, we are all here for the guests.
You are incredibly encouraging of your team – what motivates you to lead this way?
I learned this leadership style in the military. When I was a junior person and made mistakes, I was given opportunities to fix them. And I was given opportunities I never thought I would have. Someone believed in me.
Now I lead the way I was led in the military. Show them the way and they will follow. I make sure I’m modeling quality work and behavior. I also make sure to use different teaching styles. Not everyone learns the same.
I also try to share with other stores through social media. I make videos to encourage and motivate others. I didn’t even realize I made a difference until I went to other stores. Once, I was recognized in-store while on a trip with my family and a team member told me, “Your videos make a difference.”
I’ve been through all of the hard times. I want other people to know it’s okay to get frustrated. It’s okay to feel like you don’t know your next steps. I remind them we all have a bigger purpose.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Early in my career at Pilot, a mentor told me, “Don’t change who you are because others can keep up with your pace. You’re different.” I keep that in the back of my mind – to remember that it’s okay to be who I am.
What advice would you tell someone else who wants to grow in their career?
I would tell them to stay the course, know your worth, and always keep learning. Working in our industry is not always easy. There will be days that are easy and there will be days that aren’t. That’s okay. You need to stay mentally tough. Don’t lose focus on what you want
Know what you want. Don’t take no for an answer. Make your own way and don’t rely on someone else to tell you what the next step is.
Finally, I would tell them it’s okay to not feel 100% 100% of the time.
If you’re looking for a workplace that values professional growth and customer service, we are hiring great team members across the U.S. and Canada, including hourly and leadership retail positions, company and independent professional drivers and corporate support center positions. Apply today at Jobs.PilotFlyingJ.com to join the team that keeps North America moving.
