Today I have a special Question and Answer session with Sheila Frisch, Cabot’s first, and longest tenured, employee, who currently sits in the role of Vice President of Operations. So in honor of Cabot Market Letter’s 40th year in production, here’s a look back at the company through Sheila’s eyes …
Question: How long have you worked at Cabot and what was the subscriber base when you started?
Answer: I began working part-time for Cabot Market Letter as an administrative assistant in September 1975 … 35 years ago. We had about 350 subscribers then.
Question: What was the company like then?
Answer: I was Carlton Lutts’ first employee, besides his family of course. The business was operated out of his home on Cabot Farm. Everything was done manually—subscriber records were on index cards and Elliott stencils. Back then Carlton picked the stocks, wrote Cabot Market Letter and created the marketing efforts. There was one telephone (which didn’t ring very often). The hourly fluctuations of the market were not known.
Question: How has it changed?
Answer: How hasn’t it changed! We’ve moved from Cabot Farm to the North Branch Library building a mile up the road; Carlton retired a couple of years ago and Tim has taken over. We have 11 publications, 20+ employees and state-of-the-art technology to help us all get our jobs done. Everything moves at a much faster pace.
Question: How did the tradition of coffee time start? Game day? [Each day at Cabot we take a communal break in the middle of the morning and on Thursdays, we play a game during that time!]
Answer: From day one, Carlton insisted we take a break as a group from our daily routine to relax and refuel … or tell a joke or two. It has always been a great way to connect with and share ideas with co-workers. We began playing games early on—once there were more than two of us.
Question: In an age when many people switch jobs often, why have you chosen to stay at one company for so long?
Answer: The work is challenging and I always felt that I made a valuable contribution to the success of the company. One big plus in working for Cabot is the friendly, supportive, almost family-like atmosphere that Tim carries on today. I don’t think you find that in many companies now.
Question: How has your role at Cabot evolved since you started working here?
Answer: I began as an administrative assistant and have taken on many responsibilities over the years. The atmosphere at Cabot has always been one of learning and growing. Educational reimbursement is valuable benefit offered to employees. As a result of this opportunity, I earned a BS in Accounting, which has advanced my career at Cabot.
Question: What are some of your favorite or most vivid Cabot memories?
Answer: Oh my favorite memories are the fun things we’ve done as a group after reaching a Goal … from a shopping spree at the Mall to dinner at the Ritz.
Question: What’s your favorite part of your job?
Answer: I enjoy being part of a great, hardworking team.
Question: Any parting words?
Answer: After 35 years, I still enjoy coming to work every day.
Thanks Sheila!