Page 6 - Best of the Best • The Brownsville States-Graphic • Thursday, July 29, 2010

Michael Edwards named best salespersonWhat does it take to make a great

sale? Of course in this country, making a good sale is a thread to the fabric of perhaps good capitalism. You sell, they buy and everyone wins right?

To make a great sale, it can be argued that you have to be a great salesperson. To be a great salesperson, you would probably have to be like Michael Ed-wards, an employee of the Economy Store, located at, and voted this year’s Best Salesperson.

Edwards, who was born and raised in Brownsville, has spent 30 years work-ing in the furniture business. During the mid 70’s Edwards started working with his father at the Christmas Furniture Store until 1992, when his father retired and the store closed.

It was then that Edwards began working at the Economy Store.

For Edwards, it’s implied that his success, besides experience, boils down a love to meet people and help solve problems.

It’s ironic, that Edwards is more com-fortable with people in a job that forces him to confront the public rather than at a party or public gathering.

“You know it’s like Johnny Carson always loved doing the Tonight Show, but he would always stay in the corner at gatherings and parties and stuff,” Edwards said. “Maybe I’m kind of like that.”

Being a veteran in the furniture busi-ness, Edwards has witnessed his share of changes.

“Of course styles change and then your customers will change but then you will see a lot of generations,” he said. “They come in, and I can say ‘Well I know your parents, I’m going to help you,’ you know that type of scenario, those I like a lot, cause being born and raised here you know everybody.”

Edwards has found himself adapting to some of the changes that have hit the area over time.

“I can remember back in the 70’s when the businesses on the square were open to almost 6 p.m. on Saturday night,” he said. “But your times change and I guess your buying clientele chang-es and you find more people aren’t just here on Saturday as opposed to being here in the week. You kind of have to learn to work with the trends and just

say that’s how it is now.”Being a Brownsville native does

make Edwards’ job easier at times, he admitted.

“It will in way because you know who you’re dealing with and you’ve got some background on them,” he said. “I guess the bottom line is if you know somebody then you can carry the conversation on a little bit more or they open up a little bit more to you by knowing who they were, where they came from, stuff like that.”

His main desire with his job lies with wanting to help customers.

“I think you’ve got to like people and I think you’re got to be willing to want to help them,” he said. “I do enjoy the public, if I didn’t, I guess I wouldn’t be doing this. I really enjoy helping the young people, especially newlyweds or when they’re getting ready to get mar-ried and you know what they’re look-ing for, household furniture, appliances, stuff like that. And trying to get them started.”

For the younger crowd, Edwards has always had key advice passed down from his father.

Thanks Brownsville for selecting me as your best insurance agent. For over 28 years my office has been providing insurance and financial services toBrownsville and Haywood Brownsville and Haywood County. I sincerely appreciate your business and your vote of confidence. I am fortunate to have an exceptional staff that stirves to offer great service and represent a company that cares about its policyholders.cares about its policyholders. Living and working in my hometown is a unique experience. You get to know your customers on a personal basis and form great friendships. And when you have a problem, I'm just around the corner. Brownsville is truly a great place to live and a great place to be a Good Neighbor.

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Michael Edwards