Workplace Wisdom: Lessons In Happiness From A 90-Year-Old With A 74-Year Career At Dillard's

After 74 years of unwavering dedication, Melba Mebane, a Texan in her 90s, bid farewell her role at Dillard’s department store and embraced her well-deserved retirement.

Embarking on her journey at the Tyler, Texas branch of Dillard's back in 1949, at 17 years old, Mebane began her career as an elevator attendant before eventually earning a promotion to the cosmetics department — a testament to her enduring commitment to the company.

“As soon as I walked through the door, I put my car keys on the table, looked at my son, and said, ‘I’m done,’” Mebane told CNBC.

During her 74-year stretch at the company, she adhered to a pre-work morning ritual. At 6 a.m., she would wake up, brew a pot of coffee and prepare a quick breakfast that typically consisted of sausage and biscuits.

Afterwards, Mebane would attend to errands before arriving at Dillard's at 9 a.m., while ensuring she secured her preferred parking spot without fail, CNBC reported.

Mebane told the outlet that her top advice to those seeking a satisfying career is to avoid selecting a job solely based on its monetary rewards because “money can disappoint you."

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“Finding something you’re good at, and people you enjoy working with, is so much more important,” Mebane explained.

Throughout her tenure at Dillard's, Mebane said there were numerous occasions when she was presented with the chance to step into managerial roles. However, she consistently declined these offers.

“Nobody likes management, because they have to make the tough decisions,” she said. “I liked my friends at work, and I wanted to keep them, so I just focused on being the best salesperson I could be.”

Nonetheless, Mebane leveraged her strong rapport with the Dillards to customize her job according to her evolving needs and aspirations throughout her career.

To be happier at work, “it’s important to invest in your relationships,” Mebane said.

For Terry Mebane, her son, their family dynamic transformed into a "second life" due to her role as a single working mother.

“The Dillard's, and all of her co-workers, became like a second family to us,” her son said.

According to Terry, employees who work at the Dillard’s cosmetics counter even take turns calling Melba weekly to check in on her. Melba said those friendships made working at Dillard’s “the best job I ever had.”

This story is part of a new series of features on the subject of success, Benzinga Inspire.

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