Angel Perez has been going to pawnshops since he was a kid. He never dreamed that he’d be managing one someday, which may explain some of his enthusiasm for his job as a store manager in Houston’s growing Sunbelt Pawn chain. The company has grown to twelve locations in Houston, Irving and the Dallas/Fort Worth areas of Texas.
“Originally, I was big into audio and electronics as a kid, which is what led me to my first job in a pawnshop. Over time, I got the feel of the jewelry and other items,” he recalls. Moreover, he developed a love for the people and the relationships he found in the pawnshop, “I just fell in love with this industry.”
Angel joined Sunbelt as an SLA about two years ago and worked his way up quickly. “There are so many opportunities here, and I just set my mind to taking advantage of them.” The first such opportunity was helping serve on the launch team for a new location. Now, it’s something he looks forward to doing as the company continues to expand and grow, “Whenever we open a new store, I go and help with the changeover.”
“It’s a huge feeling when you see how the people in a new community notice the hard work that you’re putting into a store,” Perez explains. “By the time we leave and return to our own shops, we’ve built relationships in the neighborhood and a real connection with our new customers.”
There's never any time wasted as a pawnbroker because you learn something new and help people every day.
When asked what advice he gives to those considering a career in pawnbroking, he says, “It’s just a positive attitude. Keep trying your best to make sure that the customer leaves with a smile on their face. Of his company, he says, “The people doing the hiring are very good at picking out positive-minded people. We have pawnbrokers rather than employees.”
Of his opportunity to move into the role of manager, he says “I love that my boss had a lot of trust in me. It was my time to shine.”
Admittedly, it’s been a difficult year for leaders in pawnshops, and Angel is no exception, explaining that he spends a lot of time making sure that his employees don’t lose motivation because of the uncertainty surrounding them. “I want them to stay on the same page even in light of drops to the loan balance or other things that they see going on.” He works hard to spread positivity and improve the mood in his store.
He also understands the importance of a strong work-life balance for himself and his team. When he’s not at work, he is often found on his bicycle soaking up the Texas sun.
“I like to talk with the team about creative ways to bring in customers, different ideas to keep them thinking ahead and making the most out of any customer interaction, whether they’re buying or pawning,” he shares.
“I’ve been told by a customer ‘Not even my own family would have loaned me this money’, describing his favorite part of the job as when a customer comes back to pick up their item and thanks you for going above and beyond in their time of need.
He adds “There’s never any time wasted as a pawnbroker because you learn something new and help people every day.”
To learn more about Sunbelt Pawn, be sure to visit their website (sunbeltpawn.com) and follow them on Facebook or Instagram!
