Janice Hartman joined the North Coast family in 1991. Janice has had experience in Customer Service, Sales and currently holds the title, Director of First Impressions. Janice has excelled in her role by demonstrating our exceptional customer service first hand for those visiting our headquarters in Gilroy. We recently celebrated her 20th anniversary at North Coast and are proud of her long history with the company. Next time you call, say “Hi Janice”.
We asked Janice the following questions:
Why do you enjoy working at North Coast Medical?
Why do I like it – I’m good at it. It utilizes my best natural skills, which are communication and the ability to organize and concentrate on a situation until it is solved. I can shine in the workplace and be with some amazing people! The job also uses my product knowledge to help the customers when they come into North Coast Medical.
Being the “Director of First Impressions” or the receptionist, I am the 1st person they meet when they come to purchase product or if they are here to meet with some of my co-workers. The position presents new challenges daily.
I love working at North Coast Medical! It’s like a family. Whether you are an entrepreneur, manager, teacher, parent, coach or simply a friend, if you want to be successful with other people, you must master the art of appreciation. I appreciate the courtesy of the people I work with and their friendliness.
What experience touched you most?
While I was in the Sales Department, I had a lot of opportunities to travel all over the USA with top class working environments. One experience I remember was, when I was at a trade show a young lady in a wheelchair came up to me and started to cry. I asked her why she was crying and she said that she had been looking for this product (Cylindrical Foam) for many years to help her hold utensils, toothbrushes and certain combs and brushes. Needless to say, she was thrilled.
The most important yardstick of your success will be how you treat other people – your family, friends and co-workers, and even strangers (at trade shows) you meet along the way. I am doing something I love and I feel very fortunate to have been able to help this young lady find something that could improve the quality of her life.
What makes North Coast Medical unique?
Working with the people in HOPE has been a blessing. Every morning I am greeted with smiles and “hi Janice” and “Have a great day” from all the people in HOPE. They are a terrific group and have nothing but love to give to everyone they work with.
What is your favorite NCM memory?
About the time the founders of NCM, Frank Biehl and Lori Biehl, were starting this business (37 years ago) I was in the hospital having my middle finger on my right hand removed. At this time there were very few “hand” surgeons. So my hand surgeon, Dr. Morgan Lucid, used my surgery as a “teaching/learning” class for the up-coming surgeons in the San Francisco Bay area. Because Dr. Lucid knew my husband was self –employed and did not have any medical insurance or the funds for a surgery like this, he donated his services. Of course, I started to cry and said that I would be praying for him.
Thirty seven years later, a gentleman came into the front office at North Coast Medical and wanted to purchase some product. I asked him, as we always do, “Are you a health professional”? He answered; “yes” I am a Hand Surgeon. I asked his name, and (you guessed it) it was Dr. Morgan Lucid. I showed him my hand and we both had tears in our eyes. Small world!!!
What are your interest/hobbies?
I am the Women’s Ministry Leader at my church. I also love to sing in ensembles, choirs, duets, and solos. I play the piano, clarinet, saxophone and ukulele. I love watching American Idol and judging the contestants better than the judges. I love to read and teach Bible lessons. I have a great family, a terrific husband, two sons, a daughter in law and three wonderful grandsons.
