Meet the Team: Jim

How did you learn about Sherman's? 
"From my father-in-law, who was in the same circle of friends with Jack Sherman. It was 1994, and I remember interviewing for a sales position with several members of the Sherman family. When I joined the company, I was one of eight employees working at the Peoria location, and the 28th employee in the entire company. Yet, I immediately knew that Sherman's would be the place where I would build my career."

What has been the most significant change since you started? 
"I'd say there's two big areas of change. The first is the growth and size of the company. Again, I started here when there were less than 30 people and now there are over 160! We've added roles and several other departments that make us better. Second, the technology is a lot different. Up until 2006, we did everything on paper. Now we've got computers to streamline how we write up sales tickets and other processes."

How would you describe the culture here? 
"This is our family. We put in so many hours of our week together. Without being ethical, honest, giving, and caring, Sherman's wouldn't work." 

How have you seen the appliance industry change? What do you think makes Sherman's successful despite huge industry changes? 
"Appliances used to be solely utilitarian. A washer would wash your clothes. A fridge would keep things cold. Nothing was "smart," and French door refrigerators didn't exist. Modern appliances have incredible value for all the things the luxurious things they can do now, like whisper-quiet features, extending food life, and Wi-Fi connectivity, to name a few. No longer are they just practical, they are showpieces that can improve your life. And I think Sherman's is successful because of our strong leadership. So many things in this industry and marketplace can change, but we constantly question the way we do things and are willing to adapt." 

How have you seen yourself grow, personally and professionally, since you started here?
"When I started, there was no formal sales training. There was a lot of learning on the fly. As I grew in maturity and skills, I saw areas where I could help and support others, so our team could be better together. In 2018, I was promoted to the Appliance Sales Manager at the Peoria store. But my proudest work accomplishment is developing my team and helping them achieve their goals. For me, it starts by being a living example of our culture, striving for accuracy, and modeling a no sales-pressure approach." 

Please join us in congratulating Jim on a remarkable 30 years at Sherman's!