Readers respond on small-business owners' plight
As you may recall, that column focused on John Carrasquilla, owner of the Johnniebeefs restaurant in Midvale. He talked about the nosedive his sales have seen since early October, when the government's financial bailout package was under debate in Congress.
He also said he is not sure his business will survive, but he remains hopeful that people will overcome some of the negativity of the last few months as Christmas draws near.
John's situation struck a chord with Brady Tanner, a longtime friend of mine who is part of the third generation of his family to run Classic Cleaners in Salt Lake City. The Tanners recently opened a new location for the business, which is always stressful.
Brady sent me an e-mail to say he is not sure he would be classified as a small-business owner, "maybe just a dreamer."
"No question you can't continue to rely on the same biz," he wrote. "We are trying things now we have never done before. Got to stay one step ahead."
I believe that's always true of small-business owners, but probably even more so when the economy is struggling.
"I know that the odds (are) against new businesses succeeding, but felt that we could work to be successful," he wrote in an e-mail. "A challenging economy hurts the majority of businesses, but we sell what you might call 'affordable luxury.' When people are worried about their 401(k), high gas and utility prices, job security, etc., home theaters and automation don't exactly rise to the top of life's must-have 'staples."'
That may be true, Mark, but it sure is cool!
However, as usual, I digress.
Mark went on to write that he thinks most entrepreneurs love the challenge of competing.
"We start with the idea that big companies were once small like us, and that we all play on the same field of business reality that we face the same markets, employee challenges, cost structures, liabilities and tax," he wrote. "The most discouraging thing to me is to read in the newspaper about big companies from banks to automakers pleading for a rescue or bailout from 'the government' which people forget is US the taxpayers. This is very demoralizing. Not just because they are getting the money without facing the truth, but because I can't go get a working capital loan (not handout) from those same banks! Why? Because my business is risky due to guess what? An economy faltering from mistakes I didn't make. The irony.
Recent comments
Mark, Hang in there! I recently purchased an existing home theater...
Another Home Theater businessman | Nov. 24, 2008 at 9:05 p.m.
- Aggies beat Spartans in snowy Logan 4:31 a.m.
- TCU 55, Utah 28 4:24 a.m.
- BYU 24, New Mexico 19 4:21 a.m.
- Jazz game at a glance 3:00 a.m.
- Real Salt Lake: Game at a glance 3:00 a.m.
- Stanford ends Y's soccer season 2:20 a.m.
- Jazz hope D-Will returns soon 2:19 a.m.
- Snow, SUU lose 2:18 a.m.
- Toone saves day for Wildcats 2:15 a.m.
- Win in New Mexico good for Y? 2:15 a.m.
- Apostle's wife felt comfort in attack
- Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
- Short-handed Jazz fly past Sixers
- D-Will home for daughter
- Utes excited for 'dream' game
- Crash on snowy road kills woman
- Bench proves fruitful for Y.
- BYU happy to escape with victory
- GameDay in Fort Worth
- Born of water and the spirit
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
358 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
200 - BYU happy to escape with victory
194 - Will state consider gay rights law?
148 - TCU creams U.
134 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
130 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
129 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
106 - Celtics crush Jazz
104
If you are looking for a bird on the cheap, the following specials from...
Maybe someone out there can help me understand how raising the state...
So Great!!! So Proud - Love RSL - Bring Home The CUP!!!!!
mr cannon's bold assertation that the purpose of the first ammendemnt as...
Great great great game!!!! Nicky Rimando is a god! We're the most complete...
I had the game on DVR and just watched it. That was the most exciting game...
financially cannot this year, but I will watch loyally, how great to hear...
This is hardly surprising. Bennett has a remarkable arrogance which is also...
I guess that is why "they play the game" as Herman Edwards would say.. ...
What was the score of the LSU vs LA tech game? Alot closer than you'd like to...
Has Fedor not said that THIS IS OUR YEAR all year long? Go back and...
This is just a small glimpse of the future with Obamacare: corruption, waste...

