Thursday, April 22 is, "Take our daughters and sons to work day". To many people like me, this is a big deal. When our three children were young, they each went to work with me to celebrate this event.

Surely, a part of the thrill was their getting out of school for a day and going out to lunch. But it was important because of the tradition in our family.

If you have been in an audience where I have spoken, you have heard me proudly say that I am a fourth generation small business owner. While not my only teachers, some of my best teachers were family members. With their direction, and that of some great sales representatives, I learned the trade of being an owner. Notice I did not say I was learning the trade of selling; I was learning to be an owner. I was also taught the value of appreciating our customers. Recently I was asked a question that has been asked many times.

"Do you miss your business?"

It is an easy, "no". I just miss the customers and employees. When I remember the buildings I am thinking of my experience with these people inside those buildings. Which brings me to a follow up story.

The February Small Business Conversations told the story of a multi-generation business. The example was shared in the story of a child who was stuck as a salesperson and not learning to manage and own the business.

After the story was published, I was called by a friend who volunteers for SCORE (Service Corps Of Retired Executives). SCORE is the largest network of volunteers helping small business owners. He asked if we could team up and help this business. When I drove to the business, it was too late as the retirement signs were on the windows; the television ads were running; the newspaper article interviewing the owner had been published.

I made a point to talk to the child that I was describing in the February issue (here is a link to that story - February 2021 Small Business News) and asking what they were going to do. They had applied for three jobs. As the three businesses were named, the child (and this child is 40 years old) singled one out as not being preferred because there was commission involved.

"I don't want commission, I need a job", was their final comment. I didn't but wanted to explain that owning a small business is commission. And, it is not a job; this has to be your passion.

I also understand the person that had a similar conversation with me. They asked how they could have passion in their business when they had owned the business for twenty years.

My follow up question was, "When do you want to leave the business?"

"Twenty years", was the answer to which I responded, "If you think the past twenty years have been a long time, without passion these next twenty years will seem like forever".