Sales executive Shannon Trollip retires after 32 years at Herald
Over the years, she has worked with at least 160 different colleagues.
Shannon Trollip has retired after 32 years as a sales executive at the South Coast Herald. In theory, she can now slow down a bit but anyone who knows Shannon will realise this is unlikely.
There are many ways to describe Shannon – she is the consummate professional, her work is precise and she demands perfection.
This has rattled a few cages over the years, truth be told, but in the end it is plain to see how and why she has carved out such a successful career in a difficult industry.
You could usually hear Shannon before you saw her, with her inimitable ‘really-fast’ walking style, in fairness, giving those in her path ample warning she was on the way.
Watching Shannon at work was not unlike experiencing a tornado – a little terrifying at times, but a force of nature to behold.
Local service providers (think RNM, Ugu, Eskom) have all experienced a less-than-fully-satisfied Shannon when things have not been up to scratch.
Shannon shared how over the years she has worked with at least 160 different colleagues. She has actually written out a list of everyone who she has worked with at the Herald since 1994.
She ran the Best of South Coast Readers’ Choice Awards for many years and cannot be thanked or appreciated enough for all the behind the scenes work that went into that.
One of the highlights of her career was winning the Field Sales Representative of the Year at the annual Caxton Awards in 1999, the only one to do so in the Herald’s illustrious history.
This is arguably the most difficult prize to win and she was understandably delighted. Needless to say, there was some proper celebration that followed the award.
With her prizemoney, which wasn’t a lot, she was able to put down a deposit on a home in Umtentweni. Note, this was before the property boom!
She was also runner-up in Best Sports Photo of the Year once, much to the amazement of others. What can’t she do?
She is wonderfully creative and a marvellous story teller.
One time, in around 1998, she nabbed a stone thrower on the road to Oribi Gorge. She and a friend were on their way to enjoy breakfast when their vehicle was hit by a rock.
Long story short, they gave chase down Sugar Bush Hill with her friend begging her to slow down lest they die!
Two female cops – who had subsequently been phoned via a quick call to a friend from Shannon and gotten there before their male counterparts – stopped the taxi he was now in and had him arrested.
The whole police station exploded with applause when they later walked into the station to give the report on the incident.
Another highlight was winning the women’s section of the Tube Race back in the day.
Not one afraid to live on the edge, she literally did once.
A tyre shop owner had wanted her to take an aerial type view of his workshop and she suddenly found herself dangerously elevated on the steel car section of a car hoist, without notice and while she was standing up, and not really ready.
She had to keep her balance, never mind her wits, and was terrified she would fall off and seriously injure herself.
It’s rare these days for people to spend 30 plus years at one company, and Shannon has poured her heart and soul into her work.
For her, it has always been about more than merely selling adverts, it’s been about the company, the people, the clients and being involved and playing a part in everything that is going on.
She has done her part, and then some.
Shannon has maintained a fantastic sense of humour through thick and thin – despite the ribbing received from colleagues – and her Christian faith has sustained her over the years, through the good and the not-so-good.
What is she going to do in her retirement? “Bug you lot at the Herald,” she joked.
Message from Shannon:
It’s time to say goodbye after serving my many valued Herald customers over the past 32 years.
I’ve met so many wonderful people, taken plenty of photos and put together millions of adverts which I have enjoyed immensely and I shall miss the world of media greatly.
I take with me all I have learned along the way and the many treasured happy memories of years gone by.
A huge thank to each and every customer I have served over the years.
May your businesses grow and be successful well into the future as you all continue to strive for excellence in all that you do.
So long, farewell and thank you, until we meet again along the way.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
