your own backyard. I told my mom,
this would be a great job. If I ever get
the opportunity to do my own business this is what I want to do.
PCT: What is your favorite thing
about your job?
NEWKIRK: My customers! I have
the best customers; “birders” are just
happy people. When they are shopping for their little feathered friends
they are in a good mood and so
excited to see the great selection we
have to offer. Many of our products
are made right here in the U.S. and
some are even made right here in
Texas.
PCT: What have you learned in
pursuing this field?
NEWKIRK: All bird seed is not
created equally. Quality seed
contains only ingredients that will
be consumed by common backyard
birds. This means no cheap fillers,
only premium grains. Birds will throw
out fillers (milo, oats, and wheat) to
get to those few grains they treasure.
If you think your birds are eating a
lot of seed, check the ground around
your feeders. If there is a lot of
unshelled seed on the ground, you
probably need to change to a better
seed. Better seed means better birds,
meaning more color, like the vivid
Painted Bunting. Also, all of our seed
has an expiration date. Birds will not
eat old seed. Typically, the seed you
buy at the big box stores is not identified with an expiration date; you really don’t know how old that seed is.
PCT: What advice can you give
others who may want to follow in
your footsteps?
NEWKIRK: Business ownership is not
for the faint of heart. It was not easy
getting here, but it is definitely worth
the effort. Pray for guidance. If it’s not
where God wants you, be prepared
to hear that, too. I look forward to
coming to work. Find something you
love to do and you will never “work”
a day in your life.
PCT: What is the best piece of advice
you can give customers?
NEWKIRK: Don’t be afraid to add
PCT: What is something that others
don’t know about you or your job?
NEWKIRK: Oh my, that could be a
dangerous question. I graduated from
Millsap High School. I was in Rodeo
Club, and since we did not own a
horse I decided to steer ride, and I
even rode a bull in an all-girl rodeo.
My parents never knew; they would
have fainted!
PA R K E R C O U N T Y T O D AY
www.wc.edu
817-594-5471
PCT: What is the most interesting
thing you have ever seen in your
field?
NEWKIRK: Hmm, I hope I haven’t
seen it yet. But so far it has to be the
amazing hummingbird. They are so
fascinating to watch and so resilient
to be so small.
NOVEMBER 2016
BASKETBALL scholarship recipient
different styles of feeders and a variety of seed. Be aware that when
you make a change or add a feeder
it may take a few weeks before the
birds start to visit that feeder, but by
doing so you draw in different birds
than you have had before. Add a bird
bath; all birds need water, even those
that don’t eat seed.
51