My first 9-5 office job paid me $10/hr. I was 19yrs old, broke, and didn’t have any experience. A friend of mine had convinced her boss to hire me which led to me working at this real estate firm for 2 1/2 years, and by the age of 21, I was still making $10. I went from being a low-level processor to being a Supervisor of 6 employees within my first 2 years.

I opened and closed the office. I managed every project, coordinated meetings, promoted the business, trained staff, put out fires, hired, did employee evaluations — all while still making $10/hr.

Until, one day when my hooptie finally broke down, and I didn’t have a way to work or money to pay for a new car, I dawned on me….everyone I trained and everyone I helped (including my boss), was doing just fine. They had their own homes, cars, and they were paid well.

Why was I still getting paid $10/hr when I was giving so much more?

I felt sick—

I knew this wasn’t right, but this was my first “real” job and truth be told – I was scared to death to ask my boss for more money. I didn’t have a backup plan. My mom passed away, I never knew my dad and I had no other family member to fall back on for financial support.

I was considered an Orphan by the age of 17 and all I had was ME. I had to figure this out.

What I did next took all the God-given courage I had…

GOD-GIVEN COURAGE

When I started working at this company I didn’t know JACK! I had no prior knowledge about the industry, I had no idea what the market rate was for my position, and I didn’t even know what the heck a personal brand was. Did anyone know me? Like really…was I marketable? So, I asked around.

It turns out, people did know me and there was a demand for my skill set and people in my similar role were getting paid between $17-$21/hr.

Up to $21/hr! Now, that’s A BIG difference from $10/hr.

So, I did what any reasonable woman in my position would do. I went shopping. I shopped nearby companies and submitted my application and within one week I had 3 interviews set up and 2 pending offers for hire based solely on my resume.

I was excited, BUT I was still scared. I was scared to have a conversation with my boss about pay and deep down I didn’t really want to leave. I was comfortable there and I felt I was becoming a better leader. I felt a sense of loyalty and gratitude towards my boss because remember – I was hired without having any experience.

Even though it was hard, I knew what I had to do.

I HAD TO CHOOSE ME

I had to decide that my value increased because of my own efforts and determination to become better, learn more, and lead effectively.

I did that work.

It wasn’t given to me. I deserved to have a good life too. I worked hard for it.

Monday morning, I walked into my boss’s office and pled my case. And y’all want to know what he said? Chillleeeeee 👀 He said, “come back in 6-months and we’ll discuss a pay increase then”.

SAY WHAT NOW?

(In my head…) Nah, man. I ain’t coming back in 6-months! You really expect me to work for 6 more months, for what? To prove what? You know by now I’m worth the raise.

See, what he was doing was…business. His way of business.

Leverage.

He had the power to do what he thought was best for his business.

I learned TWO lessons that day.

1. Never let someone take advantage of your loyalty
2. I have POWER too.

I had the power to say NO. I empowered myself by educating myself on what other companies were paying for my experience and what made sense financially for my life.

So, long story short, I said no thanks and handed him my resignation. He handed it back, asked me to “sleep on it” and I did, but I came back on Tuesday morning and gave it to him again.

That day, I stepped into my power

3 years later he offered me another role to come back and I accepted, but not without him paying me my worth. I didn’t have to negotiate one penny. He paid me exactly what I asked for PLUS a hiring bonus and I worked for him for another 3 years.

You can teach people how to respect your value. You can do that by letting them know you know exactly the value you bring to the table. Often they know it too…but none of it matters if you don’t require them to acknowledge it. And by acknowledging it I mean make sure it translates into reasonable compensation.

Sooooo many people have faced hard money decisions when it comes to the workforce.

If you don’t know your number yet but you’re thinking you should be paid more, download my Salary Calculator Worksheet. Click here to download it. It’s free.

I created it so it’s easy to determine what your bottom line “I need this on my paycheck” number is.

I don’t want anyone I know to suffer and feel guilty for wanting more for their lives. Corporations take advantage of your loyalty all the time. It’s up to you to do something about it. My worksheet will get you started.