"Wrecking Ball" Legursky

Just by his shear size, Spencer commands respect.  It's not every day you meet someone aspiring to become a Professional Wrestler.  Nor do you meet that person and learn how he aspires to help people less fortunate. This is a story of overcoming size to become something bigger. 

We met Spencer on a warmer than usual evening in November outside of Connecticut's premier training facility, Professional Wrestling Academy in New Haven, CT.  The facility is small, but has all the character of a Boxing Gym that is tucked away deep in a Philadelphia industrial area.   

At first glance Spencer could be mistaken for an NFL Lineman, 6"4', 330lbs plus.  His demeanor is quite far from that expectation.  Our initial meeting was to get to know him as a performer in the art of wrestling, but we learned more about who "Wrecking Ball" Legursky is.  That's Spencer's alter ego in the wrestling arena.

Spencer attended Southern Connecticut State University.  He played football as an offensive lineman until an injury sidelined him for most of his senior year.  Like many athletes in his position, the show must go on, making his education the primary focus.  He held a few odd jobs during his college years, as a pizza delivery driver, warehouse worker, and at Target.  He is no stranger to the Customer Service Industry.  Now working on his Master's in Social Work, Spencer is currently an intern at Hamden High School, working with At Risk Youth.  Spencer also works part time at Continuum of Care in a Mental Health and Drug Dependency Care Center.

"Spencer is a gentle giant.  He is very kind, not intimidating in any way despite his size," says Kristen Tassiello, a Hamden High School Social Worker.  "He is younger and has an athletic background, which our male students can often identify with."

"I really love helping people who are less fortunate," Spencer told me.

Who is Wrecking Ball Legursky?

We met the person, we took a look at his ring attire, but it takes more than a certain look to sell us or "sell the crowd."  We spent a few hours at the PWA-CT facility to see the training, the technique and the attitude.

"To gain perspective, you really have to climb on the ring apron and feel what is going on in the there," says Todd Kean, Freelance Photographer.

As Todd found several angles to shoot Spencer in training, we realized that the training is just as much about the physical stamina, as is the trash talking.  Wrecking Ball Legursky is a working man's wrestler.  His persona is based on his ideals.


We spoke to Spencer outside of the facility.  "I'm a Face (good guy), but I am your everyday Blue Collar worker that is trying to make ends meet," Spencer told us.  "You really have to make people believe that you believe it too.  I believe that I can help people in my real life, just by being true to myself."

Spencer has been at the PWA-CT facility for 9 months.  His training program is due to end in January.  After that he can continue to train while taking gigs outside of the PWA-CT promotion.

"I've wrestled in Maine, New Jersey, even Ohio.  We go where the crowds demand.  Each event is a melting pot of people.  All ages, races, shapes and sizes," Spencer said as he gazed back into the facility.  I could feel him yearning to get back in the ring.

We were able to get some really good shots of Wrecking Ball in action, training with a tight rope, performing fundamental maneuvers, and some turnbuckle work.  The conditioning involved is similar to boxing, with some martial arts technique thrown in to increase balance.

Social Worker by day, Professional Wrestler by night.  Spencer Charette or Wrecking Ball Legursky.  Alter egos, both on a mission to:  help, educate, and entertain!  Vote for Spencer!

Yertip Suggests:  Our tip for you is to support performing arts.  Like Spencer, people that develop their character, put their body and soul into every act.  Attend one of his performances!

See him in action, December 7th, 2013 in Bristol.  Click Here for event information.

We want to thank Josef Von Schmidt, owner of PWA-CT for allowing us to film inside of his facility.

Click Here for more information about the school and upcoming events.

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Banking On A New Career

When your banking needs bring you into the branch, here is one person you can count on.  Beth Barrett, Bank Teller gone Nursing Professional.

What is the highlight of Beth's day?  "Helping people with their complex banking needs," she told us.  "What may seem complicated to the customer, is usually a simple fix for us."

Solving one's banking issues is only part of the equation.  It's the personal interaction that keeps bringing people into the branch, rather than online.  Even with the advent of online banking, consumers are still encouraged to visit their local branch, as you often need to be present to make certain transactions.

"I'll miss the people most," she said.

As we conducted our interview with Beth, we were periodically interrupted while Beth helped customers that were entering the branch.  Every person that Beth interacted with, knew her and seemed very pleased to make small talk.  It was within these conversations that we overheard Beth saying her goodbyes to these customers.


"I'm leaving the bank on Tuesday to start my new job in the nursing field," she told them, with a very bright smile.

Beth has been with Citizen's Bank for over 6 years.  She has developed relationships with bank customers that has gone beyond a simple "how's your day."  As a bank teller, they are exposed to people's private information, and there is a trusted bond that is created between bank staff and their customers.


Beth has been attending school for over 6 years while working at the bank.  "It took a while for me to fit the nursing program into my schedule, but I did make it work once I finished my prerequisites," Beth said.  "Citizen's has always offered me a flexible schedule."

We wanted to know what factors helped her decide to make the leap into nursing.

"I actually decided to do it when I had my own experience as a patient," she said.  "I realized how valuable people are in the medical field, and I really want someone to have the same experience as I did."

"I have always had this desire to become a traveling nurse to help people in need," Beth told us.  "I would eventually like to be practicing somewhere in the orthopedic field.  Knee replacements and spinal fusions fascinate me."  

We asked Beth an interesting question.  "What medical breakthrough would you like to see happen soon?"

"I'd like to see more organ donors.  There are so many wasted opportunities because people don't register.  I guess my answer is, a better 'Organ Donor Program'." 

Beth's family are no strangers to the medical field either.  Her mother is an Occupational Therapist, and her older sister is an Operating Room Nurse (OR Nurse).  She also has an Aunt in Seattle that is a Floor Nurse.




Beth is from a smaller town, but she really wants to be a part of a big world.  Her journey starts the first week in December 2013.  Customers at her bank, along with her fellow co-workers, are sad to see her leave, but expressed how proud they were to see her grow. 

Yertip Suggests:  Get to know your bank teller.  They are just as vital to your account's health as a nurse is to your personal health.  You would be surprised how much leverage they have when it comes to fees.

Beth has a plan, and she's sticking to it.  Vote for Beth!

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Work, School, Work...

Chances are, you've visited a Subway at least once in your life.  For the rest of us, we've had our share of footlong's.  Still it calls our name from time to time.  We strolled into a Subway in Meriden, CT, near closing on a Monday night.  Enter Sammi.

More often than not, there is a line of people ordering food, yet the staff seems to churn them out.  They call them Sandwich Artists, we call them Sandwich Machines.  For a very obvious reason we chose to write about Samantha, better known as Sammi.  She has a bright smile with very catching eyes.  Those are very great traits, but it's the bright smile that got our attention.  Reason being, it was late, the staff is probably tired, and they have a long list of closing duties to be done. 

Sammi came out of the back, just after washing her hands, to greet us.  Immediately she had recognized Todd, our Photo Journalist.  See, we used this Subway as a meeting point.  Todd had ordered his sandwich earlier in the day.  I was making plans for a late night sandwich.

"I remember you," Sammi said, "you came in earlier today."

It's amazing that with the amount of customers that pass through there, that she took the time to remember, and address him.  That was one of many rules of customer service that make someone successful.

I placed my order, and paid for my sandwich.  I noticed the tip jar was in poor health and that was how this interview started.


Me:  Why is there only $1 in your tip jar?  Is that everything for the shift?

Sammi:  Yah.  Some people tip, some don't.  Often times people think the tip box is a change jar to break dollar bills, or simply take money from it.

Me:  So you are allowed to accept tips from customers.  Did you know that some Subway's have a no tip policy?  (This is at the Franchisee's discretion)

Sammi:  I've heard that from other co-workers.

With her permission, Sammi let us in on her day to day's.  Currently studying at CCSU, Sammi is pursuing a degree in Accounting.  That seemed ironic as she operates a cash register at Subway.  She has been at this location for 2 1/2 years working her way up to a position of shift management.  She knows many of her regulars and from time to time, "I make a double chocolate chip cookie for one of our regulars," she said with a chuckle.  

Sammi also works as a Host and Takeaway Person at the 99 Restaurant in Wallingford, CT.  She said that some of her regulars recognize her at the 99 Restaurant and ask for her to be their server.  As of now she has not yet made the jump to restaurant server, but we wish her all the best.

Me:  Can you suggest any tips for us to pass along to customers that want to better their experience here?

Sammi:  I really think that acknowledging us when we say hi, is a start.  Once we have established those lines, they move down the sandwich line with ease!

Me:  How about specifics?

Sammi:  Well, it starts with the bread and the type of meat.  We simply need to know these before they are to be toasted, because your sandwich may get passed to another artist.  If you try to tell us your entire order right away, it really slows down the line.

Me:  Say yes or no to this statement:  "Does it bother you if someone is talking on the cell phone while trying to order their food?"

Sammi:  If they have to answer it, they have to answer it.

We think that Sammi is a gem.  The girl has two jobs and puts herself through college.  She works hard, and it shows.

Yertip Suggests:  These types of positions depend on tips.  If you see the jar/box empty, put a dollar or two in there.  It helps if other customers see you doing this.

Vote for Sammi!

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Mike The Mechanic

"Being a Service Tech is a really great job to have," said Mike Parks, Service Technician at Monroe Mufflers in Rocky Hill,  CT.

The automotive field is forever evolving, and the people working in that field have to evolve as well.  There are obstacles and challenges that these people face every day.  It's not often you meet someone that makes you think, "Geez, this guy is actually really nice!"

Yours truly stopped in for a basic oil change and tire rotation, and upon entering the store, I met Mike.  I noticed right away Mike made eye contact with me, which I believe is a very important gesture in customer service.

"I have a 4pm appointment," I stated.

I gave him my name, and within seconds Mike was able to review my customer history in the computer.

He asked me, "which vehicle will we be servicing today?"

I own 2 vehicles, which I have brought to this location in the past, mainly for oil changes, and brakes.  Monroe Mufflers offers many services, which sets them aside from other quick service garages.

So the Q and A began once I realized I wanted to write about Mike:

What schooling did you receive?
"I attended Baron Institute (now Lincoln Institute) 3 years ago, and was hired here immediately upon graduating."

What responsibilities do you have here?
"Well, actually we have to do everything.  If the phones ring, or someone walks in, whoever has the time to help them, will take on that task."  "As far as servicing, we do just about everything."

How many Technicians are on shift for any day of the week?
"We always have 3 Techs on all day long, 5 for sure on Saturdays." 

What drives (pun) this type of business?
"Most of the services are oil changes, brakes and of course exhaust."  "We tend to have a lot of walk in customers.  Our focus is helping them quickly so we don't get overwhelmed." (There were 5 people in the lobby while I was waiting)

Any tips for customers?
"I'd like for customers to be aware of their vehicle.  Know the make, model, and the approximate mileage."  "Definitely be prepared to leave your vehicle for a portion of the day."  (most importantly) "Be patient.  There is much more going on than what you see in front of you."


I had the opportunity to photograph and observe Mike in the shop.  Mike has a busy energy about him as he worked the impact gun.  He was able to remove a full set of tires like it was a NASCAR pit stop.  As any job, there is a science to this, with many steps to prevent mistakes or accidents.  Most mechanics develop their own system of operation during their career, I observed Mike to be the focused one in the shop.  Mike was so diligent, that it was difficult to get pictures without blurs and tracers!  

Has anyone ever tipped you before?
"Oh yeah.  We get lots of people stopping by with lunch for us, or coffee."  "We have a lot of regulars that do stuff like that."

I found his last statement to be true.  As I waited in the store front lobby for my vehicle, I noticed an older lady wearing a red athletic jacket come in, use the restroom, and then poke her head into the garage to ask  if they needed anything.  Clearly, some people appreciate these guys.  I also noticed that people walking in for service were very impatient.  The time being quoted was around 1.5 hours.  Although that could seem lengthy, Monroe Mufflers puts an emphasis on accurate quotes and service.  What sounds better, knowing it will be 1.5 hours, or having to wait 1.5 hours?

People have to understand that this business is being operated by 4-5 technicians, who have to be ready for any mechanical situation, unhappy people, and be available to answer the phone when it rings.   

To conclude my experience,  my vehicle was done in 35 minutes, it costs $25.20 and Mike had no problem giving me a few minutes of his time to answer some questions.  It was a very satisfying experience.  I want to thank Mike for being a good sport and keep up the good work.  Vote for Mike! 


Yertip Suggests:  If you want to tip these guys, maybe for the Holiday's, perhaps a gift card somewhere local would be fine.  Anything along with a "Thank You" is appreciated!

Click Here for the direct link to this Monroe Mufflers location. 

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