MLB

“You guys are like the Japanese playing baseball, and we are the MLB. Do you get that reference?”

This was how a competitor, who sought us out…to buy us out, spoke to my father and I after I told them their offer was beyond insufficient, it was offensive.

White, American exceptionalism is so jarring. It is predicated on predatory deals which, if you do not read the fine print, you will be swindled exactly like how their British ancestors laid ruin to the world.

We are the ONLY minority owned company of our kind in the tri-state area; offering Amharic, Tigrigna, Oromiffa, and Spanish. You speak English, only. Strike 1.

This competitor then went on to say our reputation wasn’t worth our asking price. And yet, they were averaging a 2/5 rating on Google. (Us, a 4.9) Complete patient/customer and referral dissatisfaction is what they are known for. This further substantiated to us by their clientele who left them…for us. Strike 2.

We were approached under the pretense of our known reputation of excellence. After signing an NDA and offering our books, we were told that we wouldn’t survive past December 2020. It is now May, 2021. Strike 3.

Who needs the MLB if you’re playing like the Yankees? And please stop calling. You’re at the bottom of the 9th, and time’s run out. I get the reference.

Welcome to the Negro Leagues. Arigato gozmasu.

Radical Stewardship: Leading by Faith & Works

We tell our staff that we love them. Yes. Every single one has been told and assured of this. I have tried the Devil Wears Prada style of management and it’s disgusting. You need only work for someone once who hardly acknowledges you to realize there is no dignity in treating someone like an animal or machine. This elicits no loyalty, respect, or quality of work for any meaningful length of time.

“The world and all that is in it belong to the Lord; the earth and all who live on it are his.” (Psalm 24:1 TEV)

And so, if all of creation belongs to God, how can we be stewards without works? The namesake of the blog, the Parable of the Talents, teaches us that when we are given something we are to make it grow. If you are given a staff, a farm, or even students more likely than not you spend more time with them than you do your own family. If you see someone Monday through Friday at least eight hours a day, 40 hours a week this may be more than a spouse, a best friend, or even a child. Why then should I not develop a relationship based on love? How else do you treat a sentient being well without caring for their quality of life both at work and at home?

Should we not nourish those who work with us? Reassure them of their worth? Support them when there is tragedy and reward them when there is good news? I don’t know how many podcasts, books, and people I’ve sought advice and counsel regarding how to treat a situation with someone on my team when most of what I needed to know I have already experienced in other parts of my life. This is what integrity is: when how you act in one circumstance is unwaveringly the same as another.

If you treat your wife without respect but you do your constituency; this is not integrity. If you kick your child but pet your dog; this is not integrity. And if you walk into your office and do not extend grace to an employee who may be going through difficulty but expect your finances to flourish; you will get high staff turnover. High turnover will give you high unemployment taxation, disgruntled management, and quality inconsistency. It is you who suffers.

I cannot manage my business like Steve Jobs (he dead), Jeff Bezos, or the Waltons and I’m not interested in hearing who they exploited to get to where they are. If you are building your business in faith; praying for its growth, and asking God for His blessings, then how can you omit his teachings from the very same pillars you were given: your staff! There will always be competition, there may be another company making a better product than you or the same product but with different packaging but believe me it is ALWAYS service that will differentiate you. It will always be the people representing you who will either be your cornerstone or the undoing of you.

I have the only five-star rated business in the tri-state area in the industry. This is not by accident. I’ve never taken a business course. Never managed or supervised. I hadn’t even worked in an office like mine and yet not only was I able to turn a failing business into a successful one but I have also maintained a customer base so loyal that some have chosen their health insurance based on contracts we take just so they can continue to receive care from us. And this is in spite of the fact that over the past ten years, 34% of our competitors in Maryland have closed. We continue to grow.

I’m not being boastful. I’m telling you that when the people on your team want to perform well: you will! Love as you love at home. Support as you support at church. And care as you care with your friends. You will not only sleep better; but you will have greater faith that when things happen they are in His hands and His will. We are merely stewards, not owners. We cannot ruin or fail what we do not own.

Holiday Gift Guide for the Lazy Boss/Co-Worker

My staff has grown, and responsibilities lessened, and yet I am still too lazy to step into a brick and mortar. Opps.

Again, here are great gift options on Amazon that don’t break the bank, maintain religious sensitivity, and if you order them today, will make it in time for Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. They’re also prime so if it looked better in the pictures, return it free. In order of most expensive to least:

NutriBullet ($59.99)

For the health nut who always uses that damn shaker bottle with the wire ball. Upgrade them.

Computer Privacy Screen ($30-$60, depending on screen size)

Please make sure this is okay and/or not against office policy. This may be better for a supervisor or manager. But when I tell you my staff will peek and see what I’m doing like I’m a peer…honey there is sensitive information on display; like your social security and my Sephora cart…

Weighted blanket ($45, Amazon has a $9 off coupon so it’s now $36)

People are going crazy over these. If someone you know has a tough time falling asleep or maintaining sleep this could be a great gift option! And worst-case scenario: it’s a comforter.

Thermal Heat Cap ($27.95)

For the naturalista! This thing will stay HOT. I bought one for myself and my hair felt luxurious after conditioning.

Heating Pad ($26.99, there’s a 5% off coupon today)

We’re only getting older. New things hurt. This is absolutely gender neutral as it’s great for back, shoulder, neck, leg pain. But for the poor lady still menstruating, this works double. And it gets HOT.

Electric Candle Warmer ($24.95)

This is perfect for someone into aromatic oils and/or candles. Not only is it sexy, but it’s practical. You know when you buy a nice candle and you still have a good amount of wax left over? Put that baby on here and take pride in knowing you scammed the scammer. Throw some oils in to complete the gift.

Gold-Plated Initial Necklace ($12.99)

I really love monogrammed things. It’s an easy way to make something personal, even if you may not know the person well. I gifted everyone on my staff one of these last year and the quality is gorgeous. Although, I have yet to see any of them wear it…

Yankee Candle Midsummer’s Night ($12.99)

Yankee is a top tier brand and typically $30+. Lets not understand why it’s priced as such, but enjoy the blessing. This particular scent is masculine, so it’d be great for any gender. Who doesn’t enjoy the scent of a man, including men?

Insulated Water Bottle ($10.99)

If you have a water cooler in the office, this works for anyone. It’s kinder to the environment, it’s an encouraging reminder to drink water, and it keeps water cool. Like, for real. I’ve left water in mine for more than 24 hours and found it to be just as teeth numbingly cold as when I filled it.

Umbra Picture Frame ($14.99, $4.50 off today – $10.49)

This is one of the most beautiful picture frames I’ve ever seen. Even the stock photo that comes in it is gorgeous. I get compliments all the time. It’ll be a good way to dress up someone’s desk at work, or mantle at home. It can be mounted or displayed on tabletop.

Initialed Monogram Notebook ($5.99)

A really gorgeous notebook. I bought this for someone and was impressed by how pretty it is. Look through the “Customers who viewed this item also viewed…” to get the specific initial.

Gift Card ($ ¥ €)

All hail the GOAT: the gift card. You can have a card in a box shipped, have the card e-mailed, or print it through most retailers. Also, if you are literally down to the wire and there’s a Dunkin/Starbucks/Panera nearby, you can haul ass and have your gift ready to go. Otherwise, if you have access to a printer: print the bad boy and put it in an envelope. Preferably a card.

Wishing you and yours a blessed holiday season. Try not to be so consumed by the capitalism behind it all. I won’t be. Shopping list: done. (Kidding, shopping for family is worse. God be with me, and you!)

My Father is not your Baba & other Funny Stories: WE ARE NEGROS!

So I have to give the typical, “ahh so sorry I’ve been away” schpiel that is also unfortunately true. I do apologize, not to you, but myself. I was on a good roll blogging and it’s now been over a year. I have 10+ drafts of posts I haven’t been motivated to complete. So I need to do better for me

Business is good. It’s really good. So much so that the first and last thing on my weekend agenda is to typically lay motionless for most if not all of it. I have many stories and lessons to share, but let’s first start with laughter:

We have outgrown the hatch patch ass accounting and tortuous payroll hell that has evolved over the years that I need to stop doing. When there are a few people, it’s manageable. But now that our staff has grown to 12…I can’t be bothered. Taxes are becoming more foreign, new opportunities, funds, and contracts have come up. We needed to hire people more knowledgeable than ourselves. So, we began shopping for CPA firms and encountered three tropes: the big shots, the hearts, and the clown. It felt like an Old Testament fable.

The first was too big, not small enough; the second was perfect but needing context, and the third…the third was as such:

There are about 5 current financial goals we have before the new year that we expressed and discussed with the three firms we visited. One of these goals, which I have had for YEARS, is to get Minority Business recognition by the state of Maryland. The advantage this will bring is access to competitive government contracts. With how health insurance has evolved, this would be a fantastic respite from the rollercoaster that is healthcare.

Well, the CPA asked how we could be minorities if it was owned 100% by a man. Now, another goal we have is to become partners. My father will maintain majority ownership and I minority. So I thought maybe this may have been miscommunicated with him. I asked him how he could ask that? He asked if I would become 51% owner or…

…

I asked if he had dealt with this sort of thing and he said he had. So I asked how he thought we could not qualify as a minority business without my having to be a majority owner. He gestured to my father and said well yea because, “He is Indian. And so you could only qualify as a woman…” I kept repeating that even if we are Indians we are minorities. Indians are minorities. Asians are minorities.

Ignoring my explanation, he goes on to explain that there are three ways to be recognized as minorities: you can be black, a woman, or Hispanic. My father interrupts and says he is African.

The CPA continues…“Okay so you guys would be SBA not a minority business.”

…

After what becomes the most awkward mix of silence and nervous laughter my father explains that he is Ethiopian.The CPA is still perplexed. At this point I have to mention that earlier in the meeting he said he knew we must be related because after looking at the website (WHICH LOOKED AMAZING***) he saw and compared our names. And not that people of different races can’t be related…but…like…

We are almost an hour and a half into what is supposed to be an introductory/exploratory appointment and so I had little patience left. He finally asks what I am then, I tell him that I am African American. I didn’t know any other way to explain that I was black to this man. He looked like he understood what this new terminology was. So then I proclaimed, “WE ARE NEGRO!”

At this point I was over the situation. I needed to leave. This was a major red flag that I had no interest in trying to paint white. I want to give my business to people who have some education on race and ethnicities. We are a black business. It matters.

So I ask again if he has had experience with minority businesses because…and he interrupts and says.“yes, I’ve worked with negros.”

Just like that. What a schmuck.

Suffice to say we went with our perfect fit. This was the confirmation that they were right for our size and needs. Cultural sensitivities and all.

I shall endeavor to once again resume The POTT. I may sometimes falter in faith but never in works. So, I’d like to continue to share my lessons so that my ignorance may be someone’s wealth.

Until then, I wish you laughter in your business or whatever endeavors move you.

***the company site is very sexy, praise me: www.prhsinc.com

Planting in the Dark

I went back and forth with myself, contemplating whether to share this post; because weakness, doubt, and vulnerability are seldom championed. But, in my binge of business podcasts, startup stories, and entrepreneurial fairytales I felt it important to share when things are low and you wonder when favor will shine again.

“Let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up” (Galatians 6:9 NLT).

It’s been a challenging year. It began with one of our biggest contracts being taken away from us.There’s really no appropriate way to verbalize it, but just that. Without cause or reason. About 70% plus of our business came from that one contract, and we were mailed an amendment essentially dissolving it. I cried that day. I felt the air escaping me faster than I could catch it. Trying to remain stoic, I reviewed the document with my father. He remained calm. I insisted we get lawyers, that we defend ourselves. He agreed, ready to fight. But before we bolstered ourselves for that new challenge, I dissolved. I was angry and hurt. We worked so hard, harder than our competitors, proving we were equal if not better and here we were with the rug pulled from under us. I cried, because it was an affirmation that life is unfair. That you can toil, and sometimes no matter how intentional you are, sometimes you lose.

My father scolded me, “No.” As if my tears were propelled by a push of a gas pedal, like if I eased up they would end. “No.” Like, my tears were an affront and not from a space of endless overtime, weekends, and nights; an army of me’s from my past standing at a collective front questioning if all that time would end in defeat.

“I can’t be quiet! I am angry and bitter. I have to speak” (Job 7:11 GNT)

This was the beginning of my descent into regret and resentment. I spent much of this year feeling like maybe I should never have began to help my father. A dutiful daughter is not allowed to say that, but I will. I spent many moments wondering if maybe I should not have offered myself. The endless hours, low pay, and tedious tasks that could have gone into my own pursuits. Further and further I felt I was moving away from my own dreams. I began this endeavor so hopeful, content, and aligned with purpose. In the very least, I felt assured that no matter what, I was honoring my father. But now this honor feels like sludge. An exalting crown, now a heavy weight on my head and I’m not sure I want it anymore.

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (Matthew 6:27 NIV)

Between new insurance guidelines and regulatory restrictions, I’m tired. In an industry where everyone is being bought out or shutting down; I’m tired. Every time we meet a new obstacle I want to say, “But we are small!”, “But we are family-owned and operated”, “But we are black!”, “But we are immigrants!” And the reality is that in business, when the status quo benefits people who do not look like you, inclusion is not a discussion you can bring to a table you aren’t invited to in the first place.

“What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What prospects, that I should be patient? (Job 6:11)

There is no one black at our table. No one immigrant. No one woman. And here we are up against behemoths; multi-state, national corporate accounts. There are some smaller competitors, but they’ve got the game down. One of our competitors is doctor-run, so they get to self-referral (Stark law doesn’t apply to private payers). Then there are those who have been in the industry for decades (all white and with connections and existing capital). Some of our competitors have been in the industry so long, my father worked for them. So here we are, providing service unparalleled and getting by the fucking skin on our teeth.

“This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain — first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head” (Mark 4:26-28 NIV).

Our contract was eventually reinstated, but it’s again hanging in the balance. We aren’t sure what will happen but are diligent and not wavering in our quality of service. Our biggest mistake was being so reliant on one source of capital. Even without, we were still doing well but I used the time to hunt for more contracts; and fortunately was able to get a new one. I know there is worth in what we do. Patients rave of my father, of his care and love. Patients call asking for specific staff, who they have grown to trust. There is heart here. There is intention of public good. I wish quality of care was enough, but it isn’t. Not in this country. Not in healthcare.

I’ve thought a lot about the almost four years I’ve put in and wondered what of my own ambition? Lord, I am to honor my father and mother but how much more before I break? Rather than wallow, I decided to put intention behind growth. Implementing ways to streamline day-to-day operations. New software, management systems, hires, services. In my most discouraging year I’ve spent more time diversifying and facilitating growth and change remembering that in the very least if I’m not motivated by my earthly father, then maybe my heavenly one can push me.

“If God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won’t he more surely care for you, O men of little faith?” (Matthew 6:30 TLB).

A Hand Drawn Map for the Lost

I briefly discussed zero sum game two posts ago in, “Feeling Lost When You’re the Driver.” IF you believe in this theory, I don’t think you can survive business. I don’t think you can survive much in life with this sort of application. It’s not healthy. There is always room in the market for everyone. Your growth, or any other player growing, does not inherently correlate to your loss or vice versa. Someone may do something better than you, but there is not one player that can do everything better than everyone. As long as you are open to new ideas and are invested in quality, there is no competition. Diversity in the marketplace is good! So do not be intimidated or think there is not enough market share…that is unless there is over-saturation.

So how do you know if your business idea is just like the others? Are there already too many businesses like yours? Is it even worth attempting? How do you get started and what steps can you take to begin its development? Let’s mapquest your business idea. It’s not a GPS, but it will get you closer. We’ll go over a series of questions that will help determine if that idea you’ve got is not only fully fleshed out but maybe begin exploring if it’s finally worth starting. I’m full of ideas, let’s play with this one: The Mobile Playground.

Firstly, what’s your idea? Flesh it out as if you are explaining it to an alien with no conception of modern, human life.

American kids are inundated with various new toys, gadgets, and activities that once purchased become recyclable within a week. Attention spans are shorter than your patience. You want to keep them moving, interacting, and engaged but you have no energy to go to the park, they aren’t interested in their toys, and you can’t think of an affordable activity within in a 5 mile radius. What do you do? You feel guilty sitting them in front of the tv or phone and/or they may have already been doing that for the last 2 hours. So why not rent a customizable truck that has playrooms set-up for playing house, restaurant, inflatable bounce house things, etc. These are options for those who may live in apartments, condos, or not have much space in their homes. For those who do, you can rent and pay for the set-up of activities like mini golf, a medium size swimming pool, bowling, etc. Your kids get the experience, and you save space and money! Whether you’ve got the kids for the weekend, or are all out of birthday party ideas; Mobile Playground gives you options without the stress and it all comes to you.

Who is your customer?

Children 2 to 12…and exhausted parents/guardians.

Who are your competitors?

Jump Zone, Chuckie Cheese’s, Discovery Zone, Dave & Buster’s, and bowling alleys.

Why your service? What makes yours different?

Variety and convenience! Just go to any person’s home who has children under the age of 10 and you will see a wasteland of toys, playhouses, etc that haven’t been used in weeks. It would be so much cheaper and efficient to be able to “rent” a themed truck for a few hours where kids can play with new toys, or have an interactive experience like an inflatable house for the weekend without having to deal with storage or maintenance. Depending on how long you rent, everything is gone and cleaned up and out of your space for you. This idea is so unique and because the amount of homes of working professionals is only growing, guilt-free convenience is the easiest thing to cash in on.

Now, if you have an idea that may have too much market saturation, is there a way to change your demographic? For an example, you want to open a hair salon targeted towards women and men of color. Why not open a hair salon for children? Do you know how exhausting it is to wash a little black girl’s hair and then style it?! I don’t wish it on my worst enemy. Or, maybe you want to open an Ethiopian restaurant in a city like Washington, DC. You know damn well there are a million of them already, but you’re convinced it was what you were meant to do. Why not consider the melting pot of the city and begin exploring a fusion of Ethiopian & Latin American cuisine? Misir papusas, anyone?

How do you market it?

Daycares, Yelp, and Facebook.

How much will it cost to start and operate?

At first, if there’s no seed or start up money, a moving truck can be rented and the entertainment flavors can be kept to a variety of about 3-5 options. Because everything will be cleaned and reused, and little to no expertise for set-up will be required, a low overhead can be maintained. A storage unit can be rented to keep all the toys and equipment. And before transitioning full-time, operation hours can initially be Saturdays and Sundays. Considering this is when I would assume most business would occur, this works well with maintaining a full time job; thus not having to keep anyone on payroll. The importance of low overhead can not be overstated. It’s incredible how operation costs can easily add up, whether for the convenience or the assumption, the less you have to spend on space, utilities, and professional staff the better. YOU MUST BE MISERLY. You will not be paying yourself first because you’re not going to be paid at all. So if you have any idea of that, get it out of your head now.

What’s your bottom line?

Honestly, the financial bottom line at the beginning may be your framework for how you move. This is especially so if you are juggling a full-time job and/or have no outside investors. Is this a passion project for you or are you looking to make the kind of money Karl Marx would find you deplorable for? I’m going to be honest, unless you love the idea, you will find it easy to quit. Because, again, at the beginning you will not make any money. You will be working for free, and you will be investing your time, money, and energy into something that may not even cover cost initially. So by bottom line, beyond the finances, beyond what your profit and loss reports look like; can you find the energy to work either for free or at a loss?

My motivating factor, the “it” factor, was and is the love of my father. I believe in his dream and my investment into what could give him a comfortable retirement. For you, it may be that you genuinely love the service or product. Or, maybe, you are fulfilling what you believe to be your purpose. This helps, immensely. Because, entrepreneurship is a love unrequited.

If you fail, will you regret having tried or be happy that you did?

If you think you may regret having put time and money into an idea, then just don’t start. Many businesses fail, or ideas become harder than you thought to execute. And, at the end of it all, you have to walk away with growth. Resentment will not allow you to leverage an experience for something greater. If you maintain that it is easier to recover from financial risk, than regret, then there is hope. Conviction will be your solace. If you do not believe in your product or service, then move on. Not all ideas are worth implementation. It’s okay to work for someone else, particularly if your strengths can be stronger felt in a collective. That may be your lane. For all others, do not lose sight. Remember your destination and hold steadfast that your diligence will get you where you are meant to be. You are where you are meant to be.

Ain’t No Meksis in Amerika

When I first began working with my father he had one full-time employee. The employee was a friend of his, a very highly educated Ethiopian man. On the days when my father was in office, he and this staff member would properly break twice a day. Once for lunch, where like civilized people, they would sit in the kitchen and eat their meals together; sometimes sharing when someone’s lunch was bigger than the others. For their second break, one would walk over to the local convenience store and buy coffee for the both of them. They would enjoy their meksis (afternoon/before dinner snack) and wax poetic about politics, the Church, or life back home. Meanwhile I, admittedly, was agitated that they had the nerve to have another break.

I’ve been thinking a lot about meksis. When I worked at a newspaper several years ago, in Addis, there was sort of a ritualized element behind the glorious second break of the day. Depending on your work environment and the hours you worked, you may go with your co-workers to the local cafe or beer garden and have a breather before returning to work. If you had a 9-5, you would meet up with your buddies who worked locally and maybe grab a light dessert or snack before heading home to eventually settle in and have dinner with your family. For those who would return back to work it was a good way to reset and feel a bit more energized.

For me, I would meksis because the electricity would go out and the generator wasn’t working. One time I went to the local movie theater and caught a new release film. After returning to work and finding the same conditions, I left. At that time, I found it to be so extravagant. Almost lackadaisical. How do you just leave work to hang out? Do you really think when you get back from work you’re going to be focused or would you probably bum around the office until it’s time to go?

This week, every day (…well every other day), I decided to walk away from my desk and either take a walk or go out for lunch. What I found was that when I returned, I felt a bit more of a push to finish the day stronger. I felt less stressed and more motivated to complete whatever task I had unfinished. While on my break I felt more human. I don’t know of any other way to describe it, but I felt like I was a living thing beyond my labor. The days I didn’t break, I felt it too selfish to do so. This culture of being chained to your desk and leaving for a break, even lunch, as being extravagant is harmful. Why, in America, are we not expected to properly have a break from work?

When I was working in New York, no one took a break. You could easily work a 15-hour day and to step away from your desk for 30 minutes to take a damn breather, and when you returned people would react like you went to Neiman’s to go shopping. The reality is that hours worked does not necessarily correlate to productivity. And what many employers fail to realize is that when productivity is low, there is little incentive to increase pay which results in high turnover. In the end you are paying for the lack of compensation and not incentivizing productivity. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics we are in one of the slowest growth periods, for productivity, since the Great Recession. I do not think it would be unreasonable to attribute this, in some way, to poor work environments caused by long hours worked.

If someone can perform a task in one hour, after having taken a break, versus someone who has been working non-stop that may require two hours; how much money are you wasting? A 30-min paid break is cheaper than that extra hour of paid labor. Not to mention a happier employee will likely result in higher retention rates. Employee turnover is a cost not often discussed, but the time and energy that goes into interviewing, hiring, and training; not to mention the effect it has on company morale can have an adverse impact in the long term.

While a formal lunch hour break won’t work for our office, I will be encouraging staff to take their breaks when comfortable for them. And I must absolutely lead by example, because I hardly leave my seat for a bathroom break let alone leaving the office. And while I still do have some reservations around meksis, admittedly, the act of breaking, with or without friends is absolutely integral to work productivity and mental health. So no, there is no meksis in America, and in many ways it’s to our own detriment.

Feeling Lost When You’re the Driver

When I first started working with my father, I really had no intention of spending more than a year helping him. If someone told me that I’d have spent four, I would have been concerned. I had no vision when initially starting other than helping him get the business afloat, helping streamline and organize the existing structure, and then eventually passing the baton on to someone more qualified and experienced. I think because I did not have a vision, I lost sight.

My employees will ask me for direction or support and there are often times I really am throwing an answer out there. An educated one, but, still a damn guess. And really, there are staff with more experience than me in the business so I want to tell them, “You tell ME!”. There really are times I say this, in a more diplomatic way (obviously); telling them I believe in their decision making and that the worst decisions are sometimes just ones that have never been attempted. So sure, let’s try your idea, and worst case scenario we have to scrap maybe a few hundred dollars but best case scenario we may have found a methodology which could make or save us thousands. This isn’t a zero sum game. All “losses” are gains in knowledge. Fortunately, we found this to be a good approach internally: to encourage dialogue for staff to suggest new methods and/or implementations that would either simplify tasks or make them more cost effective.

After things began to pick up, and my responsibilities grew, I really found myself faced with a moral conundrum. How can I build direction for a place, where I was not entirely sure where I fit? I began focusing on small goals that were attainable that could bring me closer to a larger goal. The logo needed to change: that I could work on. Our documents needed updating: easy. We had no web presence: done. We had only one insurance contract: I began contacting insurers to contract with. We needed to hire more people to handle the volume increase: challenging, but done. These small elements became a means to begin understanding, structurally, what to look for in larger goals.

I began to ask my father questions like: what were the intentions at the outset? What was the driving force behind the company? And, what are you looking to do different from other players in the market? I wanted to use the answers to frame how we could use these as our values and the driving force behind our growth. His interest was in steady growth while maintaining quality of care, a fair and ethical approach for patient treatment, and reliability for both patients and physicians. For me, this translated to patient care with a familial approach. It made sense that we market ourselves as a family business, where we treat our patients, “as our own”. That is to say, provide attention to care that is genuine.

With a sort of ethos built, I felt more confident in what the company stood for. But, strategically, where were we going? The quality of service is good, but so what? What is the end game? Unfortunately, there is no play book in small business. There’s no one size fits all approach. But, there is a sort of road map I’ve come up with that has been helpful with steering us in the right direction. I’ll be sharing a sort of outline of this in a part two of this post.

The Three R’s to Goal Setting in a Small Business

Starting in 2017, I decided New Year’s was not only a great tradition to set for the company to celebrate the holiday season but a way to reflect on met goals and setting new ones as a team. By looking at the year before as a collective, everyone’s contributions as a team are recognized; furthering a sentiment of cohesion and teamwork. Having our holiday party thereafter became a great way to bond and renew hope for New Year goals.

We continued this tradition in 2018 and it proved to be incredibly effective with major goals. I think a few different elements play into why this works. The first being accountability. I don’t know how many macro level goals I’ve set for the company but because they remained in my head, they never came to fruition. It is very easy to get side tracked with day-to-day operational tasks that you can lose sight of the bigger picture. Because of this, you are not spending any time on strategy and implementation. For an example, are you looking to expand services? What services are you looking to add? How are you going to add it? What is the cost benefit and how much more resources will it take to implement it? A company should not only just function, but flourish.

Secondly, by sharing company goals with employees, you are essentially proclaiming your growth. In doing this by faith, and in works, not only do you build trust between staff and management but you’re also demonstrating the importance of follow through. Ideally, your staff should reflect your work ethic. By sharing larger goals, your team is affirmed in the necessity of drive and accountability. Essentially if you assign a project to an employee, you are expecting them to take the helm and not only orchestrate but also produce quality work in a timely fashion. But, can you do this? Leading by example is far easier than by commands.

Lastly, having a deadline matters. Even if you spend the second half of the year scurrying to meet your goals, this is better than having put in no effort come the following year. Small steps are still movement! There’s a personal goal I’ve had for this business for almost four years and it wasn’t until last year that I even started to set it in motion. Now that I have the tools, I feel more motivated to complete the goal.

To make our goal setting meetings thorough, I use the three “R’s”. We reflect on the previous year’s goals and accomplishments (“In Review”), the New Year goals (“Resolutions”) , and then concluding with any exciting benchmarks that reflect on significant growth and/or sentimental value (In “Retrospect”). Here is how I formatted the three R’s with some examples of bullet points:

In Review: 2017’s Resolutions

Double our numbers from last year. (Did a recap of how we met this.)
Gain 2+ new insurance contracts. (Cited two new contracts we gained.)
Find a new, prime location for our office. (Reflected on our move and how grateful we were to find the right location.)

2018 Resolutions:

Double our referrals from 2017.
Gain 2+ new insurance contracts (Listed a few insurers we will tackle).
Strengthen our commitment to clinical and therapeutic results. (Cited how we will do this.)

In Retrospect:

In 2017 PRHSInc experienced the incredible benchmark of hiring two new full-time employees and finally being able to add the owner to our payroll. At the core we want to maintain an ethos of quality over quantity. We are a family and do not want to lose the cohesion and heart that we’ve put into the foundation of this business. Remember that you are a member and your presence matters. We are looking forward to 2018 and going into it with much hope and faith.

After our meeting we went out for dinner and drinks. The New Year represents reinvigorated hope and purpose. To share this with those you spend such a significant part of your days with reinforces perspective. Scripture tells us “Let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up” (Galatians 6:9-11). When you set goals by faith and action, even if you are not religious, what you are doing is habituating trial and error. When a goal that you made does not turn out, despite persistence, it is easier to regroup and try again when it has been quantified. If you have a destination to go to by a certain time, and there’s a road closure, do you go back home or do you use your GPS to find another route? You may be late but you will still arrive at your destination!

Here’s to hitting the road running in 2018 and being able to see how far you’ve gotten by 2019. Happy New Year!

Holiday Gift Guide for the Lazy Boss

Not only am I lazy but I’m also tired. We’ve added two new hires and it’s our busy season. I’m tired.

Here are great gift options on Amazon that don’t break the bank, maintain religious sensitivity, and if you order them today, will make it in time for Christmas, before the end of Hanukkah, and just in time to seem like you really do care. In no particular order:

Gold Monogram Coffee Mug

I just recently bought this for an employee and it’s just as beautiful as it appears. Great for coffee or tea drinkers. Make it more festive by adding some instant coffee packets, a tea variety pack, or a gift card to Dunkin or Starbucks. Boom.

Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

These are awesome. I’ve had mine for a year now and it still holds a great charge, range is good, and the volume and sound quality are great. Cost is delicious. A perfect unisex gift. If they have one already, it’s a great gift to re-gift anyway.

Electric Massager

You know that one person who has a new ailment every week? I’m sure they’ve complained about back pain or some sciatic nerve issue. This guy is rechargeable, small, and packs a punch. Get it in black for Dante, or in pink for Susan. Throw it in the bag!

Ganesh Leaf Incense Burner & Incense Variety Pack

Perfect for that employee who is about that relaxation life, or needs to be about it. I bought this for a gentleman caller who no longer exists. The holder looks nice and the incense variety pack smells great.

Bluetooth FM Transmitter

It’s 2017 and there’s no reason why you should be forced to listen to the radio. The sound quality on this guy is excellent. There’s hardly any issues with static and it’s easy to set-up. Give it to Charlotte who still drives the car they got in high school. (It’s me, I’m Charlotte.)

Phone Case with Kickstand & Flip Cover

I bought this for an employee and it’s so pretty. This particular one is for the Galaxy, so obviously augment to fit the person’s phone. But there’s no reason why in the year of our overlord Trump 2017, anyone should be walking around with a cracked phone. Get it in black for Bob, or in purple for Bob.

Scratch Off World Map

I bought a comparable version for a dear friend of mine and it’s the perfect gift for the intrepid traveler. It, aesthetically, looks really beautiful and elegant as well. Great for dude or dudette.

Amazon Gift Card

Give Bezos his coins and keep your sedentary lifestyle. You can have a card in a box shipped, have the card e-mailed, or print it. Gift cards in general will save you a lot of strife and energy. Best of all: a lot of other retailers offer an e-mail or print option so you won’t even need to move your legs. I’ll be buying myself, on behalf of myself, a gift card to Sephora.

If you are stuck on what to get your boss; I want a massage. You guys can all pool in and collectively get me one. Thank you. Happy Holidays!

My Father is Not Your Baba & Other Funny Stories: Tale of the Redneck

There’s no HR friendly or PC way to tell this story and fortunately no one was harmed in the making of this incredibly awkward exchange…

My father has been in this country for over 30 years, but there is only so much nuance and cultural literacy one can own in the absence of having not been born and raised in this country. And even then, many people still either choose to, are not exposed to, or find it difficult to understand how various races and cultures operate linguistically.

That’s enough of a preface, so boom:

My father and a white employee of ours were working hard in moving a shipment of oxygen tanks to the basement of our previous office. This was hard work. They were both up and down stairs carrying these cylinders that are heavy and that you also have to take care not to bang up. Our employee was working their ass off and my father was really impressed.

While they are up and down, I’m minding the phone lines. And as they are working I can hear their conversation both because I have the ears of a demigod but also because the walls were paper thin. All of a sudden I hear my father say, “Wow you are a really hardworking redneck!” To which she responded with a laugh.

I just…

After the panic subsided I immediately pulled my father aside for a hushed conversation and told him to never use the word again. He was shocked! He said he thought it was a compliment. And sure the denotation of the word is based on the premise that when a white person is working hard outside, and their neck is exposed to the sun, it gets red. The connotation is what gets us in trouble. I had to parallel the use of the n-word; because while not nearly as offensive, the same rules apply. If you’re not of that race, just don’t use it. Put in that context he felt horrible and said he would make it right.

I then heard him approach the co-worker and ask her if the term he used was appropriate for the circumstance because he wasn’t sure. He mentioned that all his white friends used it, so he thought he could too. She went on to tell him that she used it all the time and it was okay that he used it. But, that sometimes people may get offended. But she wasn’t. He apologized and said that he did not know the term could be offensive and that he really wanted just to convey how much he admired her strength. She laughed and said that there was no issue.

She came to me laughing and began to tell me the story so I too could have a good laugh. I acted as if I knew nothing and then made sure she saw that I was mortified. I immediately apologized to her and told her that he probably didn’t understand the meaning behind the use of the term.

In a way, I can’t blame my father. When you are black and an immigrant, and you come to a country like America; is there much that can verbally harm white people? In a nation built for the gain of whites, what stones can you throw to dent their exterior? The reality is that white people in America have never been slaves, subjugated, or maligned. There is no white subaltern voice in America because they have always maintained hegemony. The language reflects this. The language of the colonizer, unless dismantled or altered, will always inherently favor them. This is why the employee laughed, because ultimately what’s a redneck to a nigger?

In any case, this serves as a beautiful example of immigrant acculturation. There’s only so much our environment can afford us, outside of seeking that information ourselves. We still laugh about the whole thing. And fortunately, my father can now avoid such a faux pas in the future.

Entrepreneurship is a Love Unrequited

Imagine giving your all; your nights, your weekends and even your sleep to something and not seeing your return for days, weeks, months, or even years. You spend the dreams of your days and nights working, thinking, and re-imagining dilemmas, new approaches, and ideas for this thing. But, nothing gives. All that stands is what you’ve given and there’s no take off. There will sometimes be a glimmer of flight, but then it doesn’t sustain. So again, you go back to the drawing board and think, where’s the damn love?

“All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on their dreams with open eyes, to make them possible.” – T. E. Lawrence

Business ownership is often touted as possible for everyone, withstanding through time, passion inducing, exciting, and even sexy. But, just like that ex, it’s got no love for you. A small business does not care how much time or energy you’ve given. It doesn’t care that you’ve told everyone you love about them. It doesn’t care that you have given the most precious thing a human can: time. It does not care that you have the education, experience, network, capital, or drive. It’ll take, and take, and take and look at you like any parasite does: pathetic.

About two years ago my father and I prepared for two weeks for a major bid submission. It was two weeks of 12-14 hour days mulling over contracts, cost analysis, vendor research, and combing through verbiage. I ended up sick during this time and between the piles of tissues, stacks of documents, and going cross eyed we treaded on. By the end of our submission we were wiped. We stood back and looked at the marvel. We felt so proud. This bid was our baby and we just loved the damn thing.

A year later that baby looked at us brand new and rejected us. Yes, sir. We did not win that bloody bid and we felt so defeated. We gave it our all; our snot, sweat, and tears and we lost. How? I mean, we were perfect for it, in every possible way. It was going to be our major break. We prayed over it, our family prayed over it, our friends did as well. And there it went: our time, energy, and hopes. In the weeks following we heard of other competitors who won and couldn’t help but wonder, “but they couldn’t love or treat you better than we could”. Ha!

All jokes aside, we heard that the bid was a bust and that those who won were being paid very little and being enforced by rules and regulations that were strict and daunting. Reimbursement for services would allow most to break even and the demographic was not necessarily desirable. In the end, the loss was a win. All that time and energy we put in, the several months after we remained faithful and envisioned a future with this win, and in the end it served us better to be without it.

The moment we let go other opportunities and contracts became available. And, because of the crash course we experienced, we shaped up our own policies and procedures. The experience made us better, and in the end we were rewarded with better opportunities because of how we grew from the experience. It’s funny, because now, if offered to us on a silver platter, we’d kindly decline that bid. Maybe not kindly, but we’ve got better having to do less. So, bye.

“Perfect behavior is born of complete indifference. Perhaps this is why we always love madly someone who treats us with indifference.” -Cesare Pavese

I believe, this is often why so many business go bust within the first few years. You cannot unwaveringly love someone without knowing them to their core. In business terms you’ve got to know the industry, you have to know the market, you’ve got to offer something new or different, you’ve got to have the startup or be willing to work for free, and finally have the kind of focus and ethics that will ingratiate you to not only your consumer base but any partnerships you forge within or outside of your business. Just like you know that love like the back of your hand, you must have a command of your industry. You know who that person may be seeing or have an interest in; know your competitors and what they offer. You know that your ex is a compulsive liar; market on that weakness and market integrity as your leverage.

The business itself has eventually learned some reciprocity. The toxic relationship it once was is now turning a bend and offering a return for our tireless commitment. But it’s a love not meant for everyone. It’s an endless endeavor that carries you beyond the computer screen and into your bed. It’s there in the meals you miss, the social activities you cannot go to, the bottles of wine you empty, and arguments you regret. It’s there, a pit in your stomach, that you cannot pass. Entrepreneurship is for the unrelenting; for the kind of formidable force that will not recoil at “no” and retain hope in the face of seeming failure. It’s an endeavor not for most for it’s a love that even when seemingly won, requires constant attention.

If in the face of failure you leave and look elsewhere, a 9-5 working under Bob or Sue may be better for you. Otherwise, if picking back up and taking failure as leverage excites you like the sadist you are, entrepreneurship is an adventure to eventually grip the reigns of. A love to not see as hopeless, but always on the horizon.

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