CubeSlacker: Tell us about the Admin job. We heard you were a “living legend”.
Trey: Haha! Yes I was. I was hired in 1999 as a reverse logistics coordinator because that was the only open position that required some computer skill. I was about to have a child and I needed the benefits. So I turned down a higher paying but less hours contract job at Fed-Ex with no benefits. I guess I should have taken it. It sounded pretty sweet. Just printing and managing simple Unix jobs. Anyway… I had worked there about 6 months when I came into my own. I quickly took over for Systems and Network Admin as I made sure they knew I was smarter than the guy that was there. I remember my first rebellion/slack: There was a rather important meeting with all the regional bosses and what not. I remember my immediate boss going on and on about insipid things. So… I got up in the middle of the meeting and walked out. That is not too impressive, but what I did was march right back into the middle of the meeting 40mins later and set my Wendy’s cup right on the table. My boss asked me “where the hell have you been”. I said with a shrug “to lunch”! I almost got fired for making a mockery of the local execs. But the local GM pulled me into his office and said “Trey, you are a rebel, I like that”. From there on out I did not have to answer to anyone but him and I quickly was one no to be messed with. Over the next few years there I actually did a lot more. I was respected because although my quirkiness, I knew my shit. The company had just paid about 5 million dollars to roll out this new software system that was to run EVERYTHING in the entire North American region. When it was our locations turn to have the big-wig software guys and execs come down I had already taken a good look at the new software. They started asking me questions about how I was going to train everyone and what I thought about the functionalities. Well in a room with rather powerful people… I logged in and started showing them what they had missed. Amongst this… the bank account information to all of the trade partners they had. Routing numbers, account numbers, drafting numbers, everything! I had actually found a back door that showed me all the permissions that I had and how I was able to exploit them. They were pissed at first… but I saved them a ton. And after that I had respect on a national level at the company. Everyone knew who I was and I only got worse with my antics. I then made my own hours. Had an expense account. Got paid to go to football games. I had my own assistant even! I may have been working them; however, I was there when they really needed me to be and got the job done when nobody else could. I cannot even remember how many times I was light-handedly reprimanded for doing off the wall stuff. I bought a surround system for my computer and played it way too loud all the time. I walked into people’s offices and farted and walked right out. Signed my emails to black people in the office “later, knee grow”. All kinds of stuff. I think I was just testing my limits and loving all of it.
CubeSlacker: So you worked as a Network/Systems Admin before you left the cubicle scene for good. What made you want to leave that office job? Were you prepared to quit, or was it unplanned?
Trey: It was planned. I had actually been working towards it. I had developed and sold some software and had some clients by the time I left. I had also landed a contract with another SEO and software developer.
CubeSlacker: Tell us some funny stories from your old jobs.
Trey: I think that I covered most of that. HA!
CubeSlacker: Any slacking tips? Any office prank favorites?
Trey: I always like changing the auto-correct texts in Word around the office. People would freak out when they are trying to type a memo and when they type “and” it automatically changes to “asses” or something. They don’t know how to make it stop.. so watching them try to write a letter without using “and” is freaking hilarious.
CubeSlacker: How does it feel to be living your dream? Is it worth the effort?
Trey: Of course it is. It is always worth the effort… can’t roam through life without trying. Every time I get one thing up… I am working on the next. I think that 06 will be my breakout year financially.
CubeSlacker: Does owning your own company help with the ladies ;) ?
Trey: Well… when they ask what do you do? I say “I am a Internet Marketer and software developer.” They run like hell… but… I say “I own a software company” and they seem to be more interested. However, I don’t exactly dress the role. So I am not often approached. I have to use great pick-up lines like “I don’t have aids, but I give it to people anyway.”
CubeSlacker: Any advice to the CubeSlacker readers out there who want to follow their dreams?
Trey: Sure…. Be rebellious and enjoy life. If you boss and future business associates see you as a weak part of the heard… that is what you will stay. If you have a good idea… write it down and think of a way to put it into action. If you never try… you can’t do it. It’s worth the try. Don’t be a pussy!
Trey is available by appointment only. You can reach him at SEO services, software development, Internet marketing, and everything web!
