Small Biz Owners

[HFW003]

Obviously everyone's experience is going to be different.

I owned my own business for twenty years or so. It was a number of retail outlets in the Tile industry. Owning the business enabled me to do many things I wouldn't have otherwise been able to do.

THE best thing was though, I was able to spend a lot of time with my Son when he was growing up. I took him to swimming lessons and all sorts of other things that not many Dad's get the opportunity to do. I cherish that time like nothing else.

The worst thing was not being able to have more than say a week or two away at the one time.

About fifteen years ago my business partner was killed in an accident at work which nearly broke me. Down here there are VERY serious injury and death at work laws and I almost lost everything I own along with my marriage and my mind!

Since then I have worked for other people and I have no qualms whatsoever in doing so. I have been in the same position for the last thirteen years and I couldn't be happier.

I still run the business and have all the responsibility of doing so but I can have six weeks off at a time and travel

[UncleWede]

I watched my dad work himself to the BONE. HE couldn't often be there with us, and paydays were feast/famine. We ate a LOT of Mac/Cheese, but also some killer steaks and fish we caught ourselves.
I chose gubmint route so that I got the same paycheck every 2 weeks, and I was able to coach my sons, if I was so inclined. I rarely if ever missed a game of theirs.