Know Your Worth, and Walk When They Don’t

I was just 14 years old when I got my first job, sweeping floors and taking out trash at a photo development and video rental store about three miles from my house in Detroit. The business was owned by an older couple, but run by their two adult sons, Skip and Scott.

At first, I was just happy to have a job and earn an honest paycheck. But over the next 2½ years, something important happened: I started learning. A lot. I learned how to mix developer solution for film, how to operate the machines that turned negatives into printed photographs, and eventually, how to run the video rental side of the business; including managing the software, inventory, and customer service. I became the kid who could do everything in the shop.

But while my responsibilities grew, my pay didn’t. I was still making $3.75 an hour.

At 16½ years old, I finally decided it was time to speak up. I walked into their office and respectfully said, “I’ve been here for over two years, I’m doing just about everything in this store, and I think I deserve a raise.” When they asked how much I was hoping for, I said, “Five dollars an hour.” Without hesitation, Scott said, “Good luck…we’re not paying that.”

So I thanked them for everything they had taught me… and I walked out.

At that moment, I realized something many adults never do, or worse, they realize it but don’t have the courage to act on it. I had been taken advantage of. I was doing far more than I was being compensated for, and the people benefiting from that had no intention of making it right.

I was just a teenager. But I knew my worth.


The Leadership Lesson:

Integrity isn’t just about being honest with others; it’s about being honest with yourself.

Too many people know they’re underpaid, undervalued, or overlooked, but stay silent. They tell themselves it’ll change, or they fear losing what little they have. But leaders know better.

Leaders advocate for their value. They speak up, respectfully, clearly, and confidently. And if nothing changes, they have the courage to walk away from what no longer honors their worth.

As leaders, we must also remember the flip side: if someone on your team is stepping up, taking on more, and adding value…reward them. Otherwise, you’ll watch your best people walk away from you the same way I walked out of that video store.

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