So eventually, after much to-ing and fro-ing, the Brainchild returns. Sixteen and a half years I've been running this business now. Whoever would have thought I'd have the tenacity to stick at anything for that amount of time? Not me, that's for sure.
I was wondering how many people I've employed over that period. How many hours billed, how many pounds spent with suppliers. I feel I've done my bit to contribute to the economy (parlous state be it in these days).
As I am a smallbusinessperson, I won't be getting an MBE or a lucrative government advisory post - although I have played my part just as much as the next guy. Half the economy is made up of businesses like mine, although you don't read about us often in the press, or see us on tv or hear us on the radio. We sit uneasily, not coalminers yet not quite fat cats. Not worthy of the FT, yet subject to the same tax-regime as venture capitalists, for the relatively modest rewards.
I'm not complaining - I have a nice life. I've earned it all honestly myself, at no one else's expense and to no one else's detriment. I am quietly proud. Quietly too I've given away 10% of my time and 5% of my income every year.
And all my tedious training and work in the City, that I felt was the soul-destroying career-gulch of my early twenties, taught me enough after all to enable me to sell my business at the top of the market and buy it back at the bottom just like the text books said.
Now all I have to do is sell it again. The infernal roundabout keeps on turning.
No comments:
Post a Comment