I first met Missy back when I was working at the Magnetic Hill Zoo. I’ve honestly never known her outside the zoo, but she always made me smile every time she was volunteering for events. I later learned that she was on the board committee for Friends of The Zoo, and she’s the reason I decided to become a volunteer. If volunteering at the zoo is something you’d be interested in doing, I would highly recommend reaching out to Missy (or any of the other volunteers) to share their experience with you.
Missy is such a kind-hearted person. If you spend more than a few seconds with her, you’ll find yourself in a happier state of mind. She is wise beyond her years and it is pleasure to have her featured in the Women of Moncton / Femmes de Moncton series.
Tell me a bit about yourself.
My name is Missy McCabe. I am 27 year old, living in Moncton, New Brunswick. I have a bachelors degree in biology, in animal science. I currently work for Atlantic Outdoor, which is a lawn and garden and hobby farm store here in Moncton. I still work at Pet Smart once a week so I can still see the staff and customers I’ve come to know and love. I’m also the secretary for Friends of the Zoo, which keeps me really busy at certain times of the year.
I spend a lot of my time doing research, whether it’s about work or educational. I love learning all about homesteading. I actually used to write blog posts about homesteading in the city. Now that we live in the country, I’m just getting back on track with writing and now we’ll be focusing on homesteading outside the city. We took a break all summer, but I’m finally getting back into the swing of things.
What led you to working where you are now?
After working at Pet Smart for a number of years, I became the assistant store manager for a little over a year. I absolutely loved it and I was really at the height of my game as far as knowledge goes. I branched out as far as I felt I wanted to go, so when my mom’s business was expanding to include hobby farming and lawn & garden, it gave me the opportunity to work in that department which I was already very passionate about. I was super excited to take that on, to spread my knowledge in that domain. I’m really passionate about that kind of work so it felt like the right move.
What do you love most about Moncton?
I love the growth that Moncton is going through. Especially in the past 5 years, the downtown core has really developed. It was a huge eye opener when Downtown Moncton Centreville Inc was created. I think we’re moving in the right direction. It’s inspiring, in and of itself.
What are some of the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your life?
Agism was one thing that I’ve always found very challenging. People don’t expect me to be who I am. A lot of people would ask me to speak to the store manager, and I’d have to say “I am the store manager, can I help you with anything?” I have this eternal young face, so a lot of people don’t take me seriously.
In the grand scheme of things, I haven’t faced any more challenges than any other young woman in this day and age. But another thing I find challenging is the way people react when you tell them you work for your parents. One of my dad’s acquaintances came into the store and said “Nepotism is alive and well!” and it really struck me. I don’t want people to think that me getting this job was a hand out. I had to work really hard to get to where I am. I still work my butt off every day, and have to do so continuously to prove that I’m here because I’m passionate and because I know what I’m doing.
What aspirations do you have for the future?
I have lots of long-term goals. I want to be working for myself. I want to get up every morning and do what I want to be doing. That might change; getting up doing what I love may look different in 10 years that it does right now, but that’s the ultimate goal.
People always say if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. And that’s the end game. With enough passion and confidence, you can do anything.
As long as I’m happy and doing what I love, that’s all that matters.
Who inspires you?
My parents are by far my biggest inspiration. I watched my dad open and operate the Brothers Bakery with his siblings. I saw him go from owning that business, to working for other family. Years later, he started his own business in our unfinished basement, in this brand new house they probably couldn’t afford. All he had was a kitchen table with a phone and a pad of paper.
I watched him peddle away at that business for years and years. Three years later, my mom quit her job and was able to join him in that business. I saw our lifestyle change as he succeeded and grew his business, and it definitely inspires me every day to work towards similar goals. It’s a blessing to work with my family every day.
What piece of advice would you offer other women?
You can never learn too much. I read a quote recently that has stuck with me. “If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room.” I love educating people, but I know that learning from others is the best thing you can do for yourself. You have to make a habit of listening. It’s definitely difficult as a young person, but you have to work hard to listen. The more you listen, the more you’ll learn. Everyone’s got a story, and everyone can teach you something.
