“Have you ever done cleaning like this, ever?” Mercedes jokingly asked Joel, the man she assumed was a new employee at the Adventure Aquarium in Camden. She was showing him the ropes, helping to get him started on his first day on the job. Little did she know, he was actually her boss.
Why One Boss Went Undercover at Work
Joel Manby is the president and CEO of Herschend Family Entertainment, which owns the Adventure Aquarium where Mercedes Franklin works. Manby agreed to go undercover one day. He welcomed the opportunity as a way to get to know his employees a little better. Manby had never met Franklin in person. To increase his chances of passing as a new employee, he grew out his facial hair and simply introduced himself as “John.”
The ruse worked. Franklin thought she and the “new employee” were being filmed as part of a documentary on how entry level workers get started in the entertainment industry.
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And Franklin was definitely at ease. She took charge, helping “John” learn the ropes. “Make sure you don’t put so much water,” she teased him as he tried unsuccessfully to clean a window. She noted that Manby was “quiet and introverted,” so she used humor to try to bring him out of his shell.
“As soon as you’re cleaning it, somebody comes along and touches it!” Manby complained. Franklin just laughed: “No excuses!”
“I didn’t know what to expect from him,” Franklin said about the man. “After we started cleaning the tanks, he started to open up. He was very nice and sincere.”
And when “John” started opening up, Mercedes started opening up, too.
The Secret One Employee Revealed to Her Undercover Boss
Franklin works in the accounting and finance department at Adventure Aquarium. She’d only been there a little less than two years but was already taking care of events, hosting, and the touch shark tank, in addition to her accounting duties. Like she said, “I do pretty much a little bit of everything here.”
Manby asked her what she did before she got this job. That’s when things turned serious. But Franklin didn’t shy away from the awkward conversation.
“Two years ago, before I got this job, right before I got it, me and my son were homeless.” Her son was one year old. With nowhere else to go, they slept on the floor of her son’s daycare at night.
Nobody would hire her. As she said, “it was just really hard times.”
But Franklin knew she had to take control of the situation. The only thing that kept her going was her son. “He never knew we were homeless or going through hard times. Kids don’t know that stuff. They just are kids.”
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Franklin and her son were homeless for nine months. They were still homeless when she got the job at Adventure Aquarium. It was a lifesaver, and she gives the job all she’s got. “I’m accepting every opportunity this place has to offer…I think the more you know, the better. The pay comes later.”
“It’s really humbling to see what she’s been through,” said her boss. He was floored by the fact that Franklin kept a positive attitude through her harrowing ordeal — and maintains that attitude along with a strong work ethic today. As he admitted later, Franklin has so many reasons to have a negative attitude — but she doesn’t.
“You want to help…[but] you can’t always help everybody,” her boss admitted. But Manby could help his employee — and he did.
Manby revealed who he was. Franklin was shocked, but then she realized that the new employee did bear a striking resemblance to the man on company newsletters. “You can’t believe how much facial hair changes a person’s appearance!” Franklin exclaimed.
How One Man Proved the Importance of Being a Good Boss
Manby then took Franklin into his office, sat her down, and told her how impressed he was with her strength, courage and — most of all — her positive attitude. “You’re an incredible worker,” he said. He then told her he was giving her an immediate raise.
Franklin started crying in disbelief. “I don’t believe this is happening,” she said through her tears.
But he wasn’t done. Franklin had recently overcome homelessness. She and her son were in an apartment. Manby said they would come to her apartment and help her make list of everything she needed. “You tell us what you need, and we’re going to take care of that,” he said. Franklin couldn’t believe her ears.
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“If you’re with us for a long time,” Manby continued, “who knows — maybe we can even see you get into your own home.”
“I want to see you achieve your dreams,” he told the young woman.
Franklin was nearly speechless with joy, but she did say, “I feel like I’m on top of the world. This is amazing.”
It truly is amazing when those at the top recognize the strength, courage and efforts of those still making their way up in the world. With a growth mindset like hers, Mercedes Franklin is destined to keep climbing that ladder.
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Hardworking Employee Captivates His Undercover Boss – What Happens Next Changes His Son’s Life
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Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.