04/30/2020
COPIED & PASTED FROM AN AMERICAN SMALL BUSINESS OWNER:
“Many people in the USA have absolutely no understanding of the frustration and angst that many self-employed and small business owners are experiencing right now. And when they say to us, “is your livelihood more important than a human life?” it really demonstrates just how clueless they are to how we feel, what we think, and the many challenges we have overcome to get to where we are. They think we are worried about lining our pockets and want more $$$. 😳 It is absurd - and insulting - for any of them to think that because we want to save our businesses that we don’t care about the sick, have no empathy, or that we are not concerned about those who are vulnerable to the virus, or that we are simply selfish and self-centered.
They don’t understand. And the simple truth is, they can’t understand…and they will never understand. They have not walked in our shoes. They do not know the sacrifices we have made. They have no idea how much we have cried, pinched, and prayed, wondering if we will make it or the risks we’ve had to take. How we work 24/7 and it never shuts off - years of sleepless nights, stress and worry. They were not there when we celebrated the first year we broke even - not made a profit - just broke even and saw the potential of our dream. And that dream employed others, and met other needs! They don’t know the weight of responsibility a business owner feels for their employees. No, they collect a check and get to turn off the lights and go home, not worrying about how to make payroll, or rent, insurance, etc. They may be working or they may be at home, enjoying the time off, feeling inconvenienced, but is their life decimated? I think not.
So, please, they need to stop judging us and stop trying to shame us! They should stop pretending that they “get it” and “understand” because they don’t. They expect that our lives should come to a screeching halt while they sit in their office or work from home and experience a bit of inconvenience. Meanwhile, their paycheck is being direct deposited into their bank account while government destroys what we spent our entire lives to build. We still have bills to pay, food to put on our tables, and financial responsibilities that do not halt simply because we are told to shut our doors.
We are angry and frustrated. And it’s not because we can’t go buy seeds to plant tomatoes or go buy a sports bra at Target. 😑 🙄 Instead, we must literally sit by with hands tied by a government that says we can’t save what we’ve worked our entire lives for. We are watching more lives ruined long-term and far beyond when we get to go back to our work. We want to save our businesses and be able to salvage what is left and pray to God we will be able to provide for our families because there is no one else and no boss writing a check to us. Oh, and who pays for our health insurance? Our boss? 🤔 Um, that also disappears as there is no income coming in to pay those unbelievable premiums. What do we do when the Stay at Home mandate from our Governor is lifted?
What will be left? Who will have a business left? You think that once it is lifted, then, boom, money starts to pour back in? No... not how it works for most businesses.. the blood, sweat and tears and rebuilding begin again...
I would love be at home wondering what to do with myself or working out all day! During this time, I would love to homeschool my kids all day and not be worried about how to pay the mortgage, and be more rested than ever before, as others are telling me. Instead, we choose to give whatever we can to the couple of employees we have left, and make sure they still have an income.
So, when you see people protest and upset with restrictions that are not fair or justified, know that it isn’t because we are tired of being at home and inconvenienced.. or sick of cooking, or bored.. no, it actually is because we know that soon there will be nothing left or pieces to pick back up.
For those business owners and self-employed, we applaud you. We understand. We are praying that you find a way to make ends meet because we know that you aren’t home collecting a paycheck. Stand strong and we will get through this. You are some of the strongest people I know. Our faith carries us in a time of great uncertainty and anguish..And we will continue to walk in faith.” ❤️
