Today we’d like to introduce you to Gia Kondakor
Hi Gia, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Growing up, I have always had a deep love for animals. I was fortunate to be able to ride horses since I was 3 years old, and then retired from my competitive career in 2018 and persued a more traditional path. I knew I wanted to maintain a career involving animals, so I decided to become a Veterinary Technician. I worked in small and large animal Veterinary Medicine for 5 years and loved every second of it, no matter how difficult the patient or how long of a day it was. Toward the end of my Veterinary career, I found myself with a deep love for helping families through their grief after a loss of a beloved pet. I knew, from personal experience, how devastating it can be to lose an animal. They are family, too. This led me to where I am today, McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, where I am able to help and support families every day that are mourning the loss of a four legged family member. I am honored to be able to serve each and every family that come to us at one of the most difficult times of their lives.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I believe if the road is to smooth, the path is to good to be true. I have been with McAlister-Smith as their Director of Pet Loss Services for 2 years, and I have faced many challenges throughout that time. Aside from the fact that this is my first “management” position in a company, we have opened two new locations that I had to also learn how to market and develop, while continuing to manage the already existing locations and staff. I am grateful to work for such a wonderful family-owned company, as it is company policy that we all hold each other accountable, help and support one another as needed, and always give each other extra grace. At McAlister-Smith, your mistakes and failures do not define you, and if/when you do fail, you “fail forward”. As a strong-minded, strong-willed, firey and somewhat emotional individual (I will admit to that!), I have had to face the challenge of learning a calmer, professional management style, taking my emotions out of it. I learned that leadership is not driven by emotions, rather passion and patience. Mark, the owner of McAlister-Smith, reminds us of this everyday.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
McAlister-Smith Funeral & Cremation has been serving families in the Lowcountry and Midlands for 135 years. As a full service Funeral Home, we believe that it only makes sense for families to trust the care of their entire family, especially their beloved four-legged friends, to trusted funeral professionals. McAlister-Smith Pet Cremation began 16 years ago, and I am incredibly grateful to now be in the drivers seat of that department. As the Director of Pet Loss, I specialize in marketing, community outreach and partnership development. I also specialize in grief support for families, and helping them find the perfect way to honor and remember their pet. I am most proud of the relationships I have developed with the Police Departments, Sheriff’s Offices and SWAT/SLED K-9 Teams throughout South Carolina. McAlister-Smith proudly acknowleges and honors the four legged K-9 officers that served as mans best friend. Whether a K-9 tragically loses their life in the line of duty, or are retired and simply pass away from old age, we provide a safe place for the handler and K-9 team to mourn the loss of their partner. I ensure these K-9’s are treated with respect and dignity throughout their final journey here at McAlister-Smith, and are honored and remembered appropriately.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is continuously growing personally and professionally. I believe nobody is perfect, and perfection is impossible to obtain. If we are not growing and bettering ourselves everyday, then we are missing out on parts of life we may never have known existed.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mcalister-smith.com/pets
- Instagram: mcalistersmith_petloss
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/McAlisterSmithPets
