A local businessman’s message to the Occupy movement

Dori writes…

I received this Wednesday evening from a listener who is a local small business owner in Snohomish County. It is his message to the Occupy protestors in Seattle and across the country. This manifesto is yet another example of why I truly love my listeners.

Small Business Manifesto
Dear Occupy,

I do not know you. I am a small business man. I am reasonably sure you do not know me. You have no reason to trust a single word I say but, believe me, when I say, I would actually like to come down and get to know you and your cause but, I do not have time.

We’re 2 1/2 years into “This” (Recession, Depression, Economic Downturn, whatever….) My wife and I have been doing everything we can to stay in business. What little reserves we had in our local bank ( we’ve never found ourselves far enough ahead to meet Wall Street) are now gone. The only thing we have left is a business that, on paper, is worth nothing as it is has been balancing at or near the breakeven point through most of the last couple of years.

Please do not cry for me as my Trophy Wife of 32 years and I have still managed to find plenty of hope in this difficult season. We are still in business!! Committed to 30 families who have long been committed to us. Thoughts of giving up do not sit well with me as the responsibility of those families with small children weighs on me daily. That weight however, is something I gladly bear as I would go to war with my guys. We are like brothers having worked together for the last 15-20 years. The stark awareness of our companies missing profitability is truly shared by all.

My guys know everything. even the fact that the company line of credit, which is against my house has been maxed out at 150K since February of this year. I in no way like what’s going on but, I’m glad I get to go through it with people I trust and respect.

I do not pretend to know all that you are going through. I truly wish I had a solution to offer you. I do not. It would be foolish for me to suggest that the path to fortune that we (My guys and I) have found ( Families working together) will work for you in your situation. Yet, if somehow I actually was to give you my advice (Because you asked me to… that’s how I roll) it would sound something like this:

(1) Find and create Family.

(2) Begin… the process of learning to work hard. Not just individually but together with others. In my opinion, hard work is absolutely something that we all have to learn to get. It’s not a birth rite or any kind of genetic gift. Nevertheless it is the most impactive gift any person could ever receive. our entire crew has desired and been given that wonderful gift. Yes… I know some of you were not given Fathers or the right opportunity from your beginnings. Many on our current crew found themselves in the exact same situation. I encourage you to….

(3) Do what they did… Very simply find somebody, anybody, who works harder than you and do your best to keep up. Hard work is like a muscle. Exercising that muscle, however small, will cause it to grow.

(4) Nothing good happens over night. Don’t believe anyone who tells you different. It always takes time.

(5) “Great” takes even more time and sacrifice. My personal definition of “Great”: it’s the ability to give back. plain and simple.

(6) I would encourage you to seek out small business. (The backbone of our Country) And do your best to become and or create Family there. Most people do not understand Successful small business is its employees.

(7) You don’t go to work for a successful small business owner. You go to work with them. Find one. Become a fellow servant with them. Learn. Grow. Perhaps start your own (Family) Small Business someday.

(8) Start where you are at. Resist fast Food both literally and figuratively.

(a) Literally: People on the road to success… make and bring their own lunch.
(really… at times it’s even PP&J)
(b) Figuratively: Easy money makes you weak. It impairs all possible growth of your “Hard Work” muscles. Accepting any form of hand or entitlement for an extended period of time will derail your track to any dreams you have of success.

(9) Good families help their own. It’s part of being a family. They also will do (or not do) whatever it takes to make each and every member of their family a “Life Long Helper” vs. a “Helpless for a Lifetime.”

(10) Families will always do the hard things when needed.

In closing. I do not know you. You do not know me. We will probably never meet unless you become a part of or create one of the Successful “Families” I just mentioned. In case you’re wondering; I do actually care about you but, not very much. No, I am not cold or heartless. Merely honest. I’m 51 years old. I have devoted my life to the pursuit of both my “Career Family” as well as my Biological and Spiritual families. My plate is comfortably full at the present. Perhaps in my early 70’s when our children (both mine and my guys) have completely taken over the running of our “Career Family,” I will take time to come down and get to know you. I hope for your sake that both you and your children are not there when I show up. A great man once said, “The poor will always be with you……” I’m sure “There…” is not a very fun place. Trust me “Here” also has it’s challenges. Know that I would not trade places with you for the world. All that I can offer is an outstretched hand that’s saying “You can do it….. meet me half way. Believe that there is a new family waiting for you… I know you want to reach out your hand… but you’re afraid. Don’t be. I’m already proud of you for even thinking about it. No one else may but, this Father believes in you. You can do it… you can and will become it. Dream. Hope. Reach. Learn. Grow. Become. Your Family is waiting for you…and I have a huge hug and a well deserved pat on the back for you when you get there.”

From somewhere off of the political radar screen,

A hard working Small Business Man from Snohomish County

Note: Please do not share my personal information without my permission. Just as the ambiguous nameless Wall Street is at the heart of their current rallying cry I also choose to remain nameless but, entirely less ambiguous. I actually do care for the welfare of all sides of this one sided debate.

Truth be told, I quite frankly am tired of all the whining. It goes against the values of all of the families I’m blessed to be a part of. I’m sorry their Fathers were not able to significantly impact their lives. No one gave me my life of fortune. I was taught to work for it. I…. just like all those who are “Occupy” will continue to have problems the rest of our lives.

My most common answer to the largest problems I face in my world, has and will always be, “My Father didn’t raise me that way.” Real Men Father the Fatherless. If I knew what to do for them (“Occupy” ) I would do it. I cannot, as I mentioned before, afford any further taxation without losing our family business. over the last three years we’ve willingly paid $676,217.87 to the State Depts of Labor and Industries, Employment Security and Revenue… also various Cities,(Seattle and Renton ask for the most) and of course the largest amount understandably going to Our Federal Government as part of a Civic duty that comes with running a small business.

I whole heartedly believe that Small Business “Families” are the silent majority in this Nation. Not because we don’t care but, because we’re too busy taking care of our families, both earning and continuing to create just one more paycheck that will feed another family