MINNEAPOLIS — It is really not abnormal to discover a 21-calendar year-previous who enjoys procuring, but one younger Minneapolis lady is all about browsing for other folks. She’s established a file in the approach, all while constructing relationships with consumers who contemplate her a buddy.
Malaika Barlow frequently finds herself at a checkout line as a shopper for Shipt.
“My max is like 46 or 48 in a working day,” Barlow mentioned.
In a few years, she’s long gone procuring for other persons 20,000 occasions, putting her in a unique club. WCCO’s Derek James tried using to hold up with her as she crammed an purchase for a particular, longtime consumer.
“It feels like I could do it in my rest,” mentioned Barlow. “I would go much speedier if you were not right here.”
You do not come to be Minnesota’s most most popular Shipt shopper doing work at a leisurely speed. Barlow was just 18 when she got her start.
“I had currently graduated some higher education and I was in fact setting up on traveling, so I needed a buffer position,” she explained.
It is extra than that now. It is a link.
“We were being designed to be in neighborhood with persons. Folks have a soul. Individuals have a goal in existence and just genuinely aiding them see that they are appeared at, they’re cared for, they are beloved,” stated Barlow.
WCCO
A single of those persons who is much more than a buyer is Josephine Vaughn, of Minneapolis.
“Right just after COVID I achieved her, and you could tell she was missing physical contact,” reported Barlow.
Barlow slowed down. She sat down with Vaughn, giving her time, attention, and contact.
“I gave her a hug. And she started off tearing up as I hugged her and she stated, ‘I have not been hugged for so extensive,'” reported Barlow.
“It was quite good, and I generally obtained what I wanted,” Vaughn stated.
And she continue to does. Barlow offers Vaughn rides as needed and the two routinely text.
“She will work her tiny butt off. And I’ve been executing that my complete daily life. I assume that’s why we get along,” explained Vaughn.
Their bond continues to mature, Barlow sharing a significant existence aspiration with her buddy.
“My aspiration is to open up an orphanage in Africa, either Kenya or Mozambique. I lived there for 3 months last calendar year. That’s exactly where my coronary heart has always been. So, it is really grinding out the income here to then go far better the entire world around there,” stated Barlow.
Barlow has created several other connections with prospects. A person loved ones questioned her to babysit their children one more gave her handmade items to exhibit their appreciation.
She retailers at a number of retailers, such as Finest Purchase, Cub Meals, Kowalski’s, Lund’s & Byerly’s, Celebration Metropolis, Petco and Concentrate on. Her regular time inside is 20 minutes.
