Small Business Influence

Both my maternal and paternal grandparents were small business owners. One set owned a grocery/feed store and gas station in the rural Ozarks. The other set owned a music store and stringed instrument repair business in KC north. I spent time in these businesses while growing up and took note of the “all hands-on deck” approach. You helped customers, did the books, stocked the shelves, dumped the trash, cleaned the bathroom – you get the idea. I also noticed the sweat-equity they gave day in, and day out.

As I got older, I was fortunate to work for several local business owners. Perks of living in a small town. Names you may well know, like Larry and Beverly Freeman, Kent and Fran Krieger, and Steve and Sue Tinnen. All folks who put in the time to make their businesses succeed in our community and were willing to take a chance on a high school employee. That is a key component for young people, finding someone to take a chance on you. If all the ads say, “experience required”, how are you going to get “experience” if no one will hire you to give you experience? It is a conundrum. This is why I am blessed by those who gave me the chance to run a register, wait tables, take photos and use the dark room. I guess graduation season has me reminiscing on the opportunities I was given at a young age.

Fast forward to me as a young woman, in love, and not wanting to return to college. My passion for art and design earned me a job at The Wall Place in Metro North Mall. The store did custom framing and sold artwork. The owner was Jane Stevenson. She was a force to be reckoned with according to my novice know-how. Everything I thought I was confident about, she taught me more. I will admit to being frustrated with her when I thought I had done something just right, and then she had me do it her way. She was the owner. It was the first place I really caught-on about management style and how to treat employees. For all her hard-nosed approach, her compassion was bigger. She cared for her employees and customers like family. She taught me the ropes and in no time, I was promoted to store manager. The obstacle I had to overcome was my age. I was in my twenties. People expected the manager to be “older” when they were spending that kind of money.

I was with Jane just over five years before I moved onto the newspaper business. I grew up a great deal. She taught me to have confidence in the business and the product, and I wore it like a name badge. Anytime I let it waiver, she reminded me of the trust she had put in me because she had faith in my ability. Her teaching and compassion didn’t end at the store. She often taught at church and in women’s prisons. Always passing along her gift, and always willing to give someone a chance.

Owning a small business is hard work and success is never guaranteed. I look back at the value and inspiration small business has had in my life and realize this is why I could not work for a large corporation. I would not be happy in that environment. I prefer flexible schedules, bending of rules when needed and knowing the owners. It is important to me, but it’s not for everyone. I am thankful there are those to fill the big company positions. For me, I want the closeness which comes with a small team of individuals and a common goal, and the team is led by someone we could join for lunch or hang out with at a local event.

At home, at work, in your community, don’t forget the influence you have in your everyday interactions and activities. Your impact reaches farther than you know it. And remember to take a chance on someone when you can; your guidance could be just the experience they need to step forward in confidence.

Your Friend, B