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Winter Hours: Monday-Saturday 10-6; Closed Sunday - Tesoro Beverly Hills- 416 N. Canon Dr. Beverly Hills 90210
OPEN Mon-Sat 10-6
tesoro logo on the LA Sparks jumbotron

Teamwork Makes The Dream Work!

Lendistry and the LA Sparks selected my store to be part of their Small Business Summer Campaign and invited me and the Tesoro team to our first WNBA game. 

I learned that the last place Sparks would be playing against the first place NY Liberty. The last time these two teams met up, the Sparks lost by more than 30 points. The odds on Wednesday’s game clearly favored New York. 

As I walked into the Crypto.com arena, I thought about all the attendees who turned out to support their team despite the chance of another blow out. But I believe in home court advantage and the fans that bring the energy to make the dream of a win a reality. 

The court, like my store, has its wins and its losses. I never know what the day is going to bring but when I open my door, as they step onto the floor, I know it holds the potential to be the best day ever. 

The Sparks ignited immediately at tip off and built a nice lead. But then the Liberty found their groove and the battle began.

In the middle of the second quarter, a member of the Sparks marketing team approached me and said we’d be going down to the floor at half time. I had no idea that we were doing anything other than watching the game in the Hyde Lounge.

Walking through the tunnel towards the floor, I smiled like the Cheshire Cat. It reminded me of my childhood when I would walk out with the Laker girls to sit on the sideline near the basket with my cousin, Paula Abdul. 

At the end of the tunnel, we were instructed to line up in order and wave out to the audience. What?! We’re going on the court!

I reassured a nervous woman beside me to just go out there and have fun. When my name was called, I enthusiastically hustled to the center of the court and was delighted to be standing on the team’s logo. I may not have made it there with my athletic abilities, but I do share the same desire to give 100% to my team and my customers each time I show up to work. 

Retail, like sports, is a community and it only thrives when it’s supported. Never underestimate the power of teamwork and the determination of women who know they can win. 

Returning to the lounge, I found the game was still in full battle mode and was worried that the Sparks wouldn’t be able to hold on. The Liberty has five players who just competed in the Paris Olympics so my fears were justified. 

I was just excited to watch a close game and am always fascinated how players can tap into their superpowers to execute plays with fierce intensity up until the final buzzer. 

The Sparks were tenacious and finished with a strong win 94-88. It gave me hope as I prepare for my big game, the holiday season. This game reinforced my belief in teamwork. It's an awareness of the people outside of yourself. We can do something amazing if we partner and work towards that goal together.

I can’t control who comes in. I can’t control what they spend. But I can control that my customers leave happier than when they came in. 

That is my win.

I wouldn't have my store today had Lendistry and the State of California not stepped in to support me during the 2020-21 season. The grant kept my doors open and allowed me to hire Jasmine, whose beautiful hand-painted gift wrap paper now adorns our gifts.

I'm so grateful to have them on my team!

 

Tara Riceberg stands back to back with LA Sparks mascot Sparky
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