Life Outside of STACK is our feature series that introduces you to some of the faces behind the brand. Today we are featuring one of our trainers, Miguel Reis.
Tell us your job title, how long you’ve been at STACK, and briefly describe a typical day at work for you.
I am a trainer for STACK Preconstruction and Construction tools. My day starts by looking at each individual account I have to train and focus on what their needs will be. I’ll adjust during the training depending on their needs.
What is your team like at STACK?
My team? I’ll call it my work family because that is what we are. We’re here for each other and always available when someone needs help.
What do you love about your job that would surprise most people?
Being able to provide training in several languages – English, Portuguese, Spanish, and French. That will always make you earn points from the client. They feel more comfortable talking to you.
What is the best piece of career advice you ever received?
Make mistakes and learn from them!
What’s your process for turning a bad day into a good one?
Not thinking about what's bad about that day and finding solutions. The other day my daughter asked me if I dyed my hair because compared to my brother and all my friends, I don't have a single white hair at age 49. And they are all younger than me! It's simply because I always think in a positive way no matter the situation and avoid stress.
We know you’re great – hey, that’s why you work at STACK! Tell us about the great things (in detail) you do outside of work. Hobbies, interests, secret lives…
Well, I love sports. I play indoor and outdoor soccer in two leagues and love playing tennis…I should have been a tennis player 😊. I also play ping pong (came in second in a Quebec tournament in the 80’s) and squash.
One of my hobbies is woodworking. You can actually check out my company L’Atelier D’Alfama. I have a little side business of providing handyman services which I do after 5pm and on the weekends, I am actually very busy these days. I love cooking and getting friends together and simply having a great time. (Most of my friends I have known since elementary school and lived in the same Portuguese neighborhood.)
What song have you completely memorized? Will you sing it for us? What about playing it on an instrument? How about a little dance instead?
That is one thing I cannot memorize, songs. But “Love of a Lifetime” from Firehouse is one I still enjoy listening to on loop. I won’t sing it (horrible voice), play it (can’t play any instruments), or dance it (bad ankle).
What’s your favorite local spot and why (restaurant, bar, music venue, whatever you want to share about your hood!)?
WOW, too many to name. I actually can’t name one, I love them all!
If your life was a movie, what songs would be on the soundtrack?
“Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now” from Starship. No matter what, keep trying to strive and achieve.
What makes you truly happy?
Family and good health.
If you could choose your own nickname, what would it be?
I’ve been called “Johnny Long Legs”, “El Gallo”…pick one 😊
What causes are you passionate about?
Any cause that can help and provide for others.
What is the most courageous thing you’ve ever done?
I’d like to say jump into a burning house and save a pretty blonde, but that’s only in movies. In my case I jumped in a pool to save a baby that fell in it. This other time I had a good friend of mine, God rest her soul…she was in her last days because she had stomach cancer and she loved sardines. She asked me to get her some close to the end of day, and I went around to a couple of Portuguese restaurants asking for a dozen of grilled sardines. I got her the sardines and the restaurant actually just gave them to me!
