Andy Sanchez on Finding Purpose Through Helping Others

I was six when I broke my arm and decided I wanted to be a doctor when I grew up. At the time, my mom didn't have a job so we went to a free clinic. It was unbelievable to me, even as a small child, that the doctors at these “free” clinics wouldn’t fix my broken arm without payment. That day, we spent 12 hours bouncing from clinic to clinic. Finally, we ended up at a college hospital, and although this was not a free clinic, they saw the pain I was in, recognized that my mother did not have the money, and empathized with how exhausted we both were after spending a full day trying to get me help. I remember being so grateful when I heard them say, “You know what, we’re going to fix your arm for free.”

For 10 years, every December we used to visit those doctors and give them Christmas presents as a way of saying thank you.

I’ve told some people that story and they’ve focused on the negative part—those free clinic doctors refusing to provide care for a small child in obvious pain. But I choose to look where the light is. I choose to focus on the doctors who demonstrated humanity. Life is so much how you look at it.

Although I didn’t become a doctor, that experience instilled in me the desire to help people.

Although I didn’t become a doctor, that experience instilled in me the desire to help people. Because when you help someone, you ease their suffering—whether that suffering is physical or emotional, ongoing or situational. And it can make you feel better at the same time, helping others!

It’s giving back to my clients through my role as a customer support specialist at SpotOn that gives me purpose. My job is to improve someone’s day, which has the potential to improve their life. Even if I’m doing something as small as just clarifying a bill, or fixing a minor concern, that's going to make a major impact for the client, especially when I am able to do that with a smile (which I always try to do!). Because for me, one of the most important things is to be kind.

I want my clients to know that I do everything in my power to make sure that their situation is resolved as quickly as possible.

I want my clients to know that I do everything in my power to make sure that their situation is resolved as quickly as possible. I want them to know that I really care about them. When I can resolve an issue quickly, that is the biggest joy for me. And I’m so lucky to work with a team that shares my passion for making life easier for people. I’m excited to build my career with this company, to become a team leader and to share my vision for positive problem-solving with as many people as I can.