JUST LIKE THAT, I OWN A BUSINESS
Over the past few years, as I've navigated the challenges of trying to rebuild my career, I've grown to be more appreciative of what I learned along the way in a business environment. Some lessons reveal their relevance only over time, certainly that is what happened with me and business. Here's the big lesson: until you have owned your own business -- and paid the salaries of others with your own money -- you have lived a sheltered life. While I understand that for some people that is just fine -- and I was one of them -- in restrospect its good I got to break out of the bubble. It scared me much of the time, but I became more of a complete person.
I did not want to be a business owner. As a writer and TV producer it was not my career plan. It happened to me by accident and surprise, when my husband died suddenly and I inherited his business, a restaurant and bar that, at the time, was 28 years old and in financial crisis. For the next 12 years it was my responsibility, a hands-on, business school graduate course, all of it learned on the job. I closed it by choice and informed by the the wisdom I'd gained, driven by debt and unrelenting disputes with difficult landlords.
What stays with me from that experience is the growth I experienced while having to run a business that was a livelihood for others; to hire and work w/ mangers who I relied upon to help run the business; and most of all paying 55 employees with my own money, signing their paychecks every two weeks (sometimes praying they wouldn't bounce); arranging for health insurance, vacation time, dealing with disputes from the inside and outside, which included lawsuits from the inside and outside; understanding and abiding by government regulations that supported or restrained my business opportunities; dealing with business taxes, business and business property insurance; goods and services, ordering every little thing we needed to open the doors each day and managing that process; the liquor industry, on which my business relied; civic responsibility as it related to local boards such as the citizens association and the neighborhood advisory board; the city government and its leaders.
BECOMING A BOSS
There were a fair number of "sharks" circling me, waiting for a misstep, some blood in the water, eager to eat me and my business if I faltered. There were also other business owners who counseled me, bolstered and taught me. I did not say no to their offered advice -- another important lesson.
In dealing with employees you best become a benevolent dictator. Its an important balance. I made so many mistakes as I learned, and I had successes, too, but the important thing was to be open to learning. I wanted to be liked by the people who worked for me, but it was more important to be respected by them; you have to earn respect of staff and renew that contract daily. I decided to try to be the boss I would want to work for and to try to display what I valued most in a boss: leadership, support, consistency and constructive criticism that was not personal. Be generous with praise. Its how an owner tips his or her employees.
There's an enduring pride in hiring people, giving them an opportunity, and watching them thrive. This applies to while they work for you and after they move on as well. I hired the best people, knowing they would move on, and most of them did and to bigger jobs. Important note: I learned to value employees who were honest with me. Straight up. No BS. Loyalty was imperative. Over time I developed an eye for the schemers. As a boss, that skill is more sad than happy. There's no joy in firing people, even when its warranted.
The point I'm trying to drive home is you learn a completely different view of the world when you own a business and not just because it is your own money (btw, bank money is still your own money, with interest). In all the years before I owned a business I had it the other way. I worked for global corporations and it was their money, not mine. I got a paycheck, I joined unions, which protected me. I had no idea how sheltered I was ... until I wasn't.
WHERE THE BUCK STOPS
Until you've owned a business you can't know what its like - yes, scary, fits of worry, and sleepless nights, but there's also developing the know-how to get through a day of dealing with often unexpected and explosive challenges; ideally with the support of a trusted manager. That's the reward: solving problems, deploying creative solutions, making decisions, making them work... for your customers, your employees and yourself. You own it. Its yours. Be proud.
I'm in a different place now, back to being an employee, as I continue to rebuild the career I set aside to focus on owning a business. Both sides shape me, both sides make me. I am a better employee for having been a business owner, and I have an informed and respectful view of management, as I see the workplace through both experiences. I have the confidence of knowing I could be crew or captain, and be effective as either. Every worker should try to own their own business at some point.
But if you don't make that choice, still approach your job as though you were the person signing your paycheck, and by that I mean be the employee you would want to hire and pay with your own money.
Just saying ...
Emmy-winning CBS News producer, talk show guest wrangler, published author, host of The Q&A Cafe, print & digital journalist, filmmaker, photog, and former saloon owner. 
Here is information for my popular memoir 
