My First Job: Peter Miller, president and CEO

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November 20, 2005

My First Job: Peter Miller, president and CEO

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Peter Miller

Current position: President and CEO of Essential Baking Co., an artisan, organic bakery with two cafes in Seattle.

First job: Courtesy clerk bagging groceries at QFC grocery store in University Village in 1971.

What I learned: How to apply hairspray — in the early '70s, long hair was in but not at QFC, where hair below the collar and over the ears was forbidden. Before each shift, my fellow male courtesy clerks and I would plaster down our hair with hairspray and manipulate it to make it comply with the short-hair rules. Every workday was a bad-hair day.

I also learned the value of punctuality, dependability and customer service. The store manager at the time ran a tight ship with little room for error or excuses. Top performers were rewarded; promotion from within was highly encouraged.

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