Being able to connect with your customers is one of the most valuable business qualities anybody could have. Flanagin’s Bulk Mail Service has been able to notice that firsthand ever since Deborah ‘Debbie’ Kusmiz has been a part of its team.
Kusmiz was born in Hobart and moved to Chesterton when she was 5 years old. She graduated from Chesterton schools and initially planned to continue her education at Indiana University, but after one semester, she found herself back in the Region working for her uncle at AaLand Gem Company.
“My uncle, who owned AaLand Gem Company, offered me a position in sales,” Kusmiz said. “When I started, he said, ‘If you end up having a passion for this, I'll pay for you to get your degree at the Gemological Institute of America.’ I absolutely loved it and stayed there for 17 years, traveling the Midwest and selling to retail jewelers.”
As the years went on, Kusmiz had a new priority: raising her two daughters. She was able to work part-time at Ashley’s Jewelry by Design – a retail jewelry store in Chesterton.
“A childhood friend had just purchased a jewelry store – Ashley's Jewelry by Design – and reached out to me to see if I would consider working part-time,” said Kusmiz. “It enabled me to be home during the summer months while working more in the fall and winter, which was their busy season. It was a perfect fit. When the girls were grown, I stayed on and took a full-time position.”
Kusmiz, nicknamed Diamond Debbie by her peers, had accumulated a lot of valuable jewelry knowledge over the years, but she also fostered many long-lasting relationships within the community through her work. One of these relationships would blossom into a new adventure.
“While working at Ashley's, we were interested in launching a direct mail advertising campaign. Donna Flanagin had a secretarial service at the time, so I reached out to her and asked if she could guide us in any way,” said Kusmiz. “She did some research, purchased the software, and Ashley's Jewelry by Design became Flanagin’s Bulk Mail Service’s first customer ever.”
Kusmiz was blown away by how simple Flanagin’s made the bulk mailing process and recognized the service as something valuable to the community. Kusmiz began working part-time in a limited capacity with Flanagin’s alongside her work at Ashley’s, and she continued doing so until Ashley’s closed in late 2022.
“I wasn't quite ready to give up my passion for sales, but I definitely was ready to slow down and enjoy more time with my husband, mother and amazing grandchildren, so I did what I always do: I prayed about it and then I reached out to Donna,” Kusmiz said. “She offered me an opportunity to work remotely and continue on with sales and planning. It was a perfect way to stay in touch with the good people I've met throughout while opening up so much more time to spend with my family and to travel.”
Kusmiz and Flanagin’s relationship extends outside of the workplace as well. Both women are founders of Sterling Hope, an organization that helps Kusmiz give even more back to her community.
“It's a group of the most loving, caring, compassionate ladies you've ever met,” said Kusmiz. “We try to meet once a month, gathering items for all the nonprofit organizations’ wishlists. On top of the nonprofits, we search for individuals or families in need and do whatever is possible to ease their burden. It's been so rewarding to network with the community, and these special ladies have become my family. It brings so much joy to make a positive difference in anyone's life who's in need.”
Kusmiz couldn’t be more pleased she ended up in this field. She shared some words for people who might be looking toward a similar career path.
“I always say that I’ve never worked a day in my life,” Kusmiz said. “Sales are for you if you’re invested in helping people out. You have to truly care for the customer and see how that product will make their life better. It’s never about how much money I can make but rather focusing on the best thing that could be done to help somebody.”
Outside of the workplace, Kusmiz has always been fond of building connections. She loves to spend time with her husband and listen to music. They’ve traveled to several cities across the country to see performers such as the Rolling Stones and the Eagles. In the upcoming years, Kusmiz hopes to stay healthy, continue to travel, make more strides within the mail service, and spend as much time as she can with her kids and grandkids.
For more information on Flanagin’s Bulk Mail Service, you can visit its website.