Michael Rogers, vice president communications for the Small Business Association of Michigan, interviews Michigan-based business author, trainer and business coach, Rachelle Smith, to learn more about how to monetize your business passion. Rachelle says “I landed my first “official” job as a grocery sacker at the Yongsan Army Base Commissary.

I worked after school and on weekends. The grocery sacker position compensation was “tips only.” That experience taught me at a young age to ask for the business. I would stand out front of my checkout lane and ask customers to choose my lane. I would give a quick pitch in English or Korean. What a great lesson in sales. My compensation was directly tied to my ability to get people to come to my lane, and earn their tips.”