Comments on: Job cuts on Main Street

By: Great Movers Inc

Great Movers Inc — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:41:55 +0000

2004 and 2005 I did 1.5 mil is sales..I owned 3 moving companys with 49 employees, 21 trucks,44,000 Squ ft of warehouse space, 2 48 ft truck and trailers running 11 westeren states…

Today,,I fileing for bankrupsey,I have one truck left, one employee (myself), no car,no house to live in,no customers, no money left, all assets have been forfeted to the bank..
I do have a question for the goverment.. how do you expect me to spend money??

By: Chuck, Harrisburg, PA

Chuck, Harrisburg, PA — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 19:39:33 +0000

I lost my job a month and a half ago. No big deal at the time because I was a contracted employee. But where I'm having trouble is finding another job. I see a lot of entry level jobs but none that come close to the salary I was getting. I have 3 young children and finding a job to support them is next to impossible.

Chuck
http://theworkfromhome.biz

By: Mary in Kennebunk ME

Mary in Kennebunk ME — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 23:45:48 +0000

We own two service businesses. Yes, the economy is challenging, yes, the government is stupid to reward failure. I started my business with myself. I provided more than what the customer expected at a reasonable price. I "claimed" all my money even when customers handed me checks and said, "just cash it". I've been in business 11 years and have a waiting list yet never advertising. My husband started his construction business 6 years ago. I did the marketing and (legitimate) paperwork and he did the physical work. Within a few months, he hired his first employee. Thru the 6 years he and I have hired a couple dozen people. I could go on and on and on with examples…..but, I worked physically all week and am tired…..
To summarize….WHY THE HELL WOULD I WANT TO HIRE PEOPLE IN THIS DAY AND AGE?! We've treated everyone like family, taught them all we knew, tried to help them in every way possible. But, how many FAKE worker's comps. claims do we need, how many incompetent employees did we gently let go only to have them collect unemployment while working for cash… how many times do we wonder if our home will be taken by some phony liability claim. I know you all have your stories……
Too many ee's get comfortable and feel entitled to benefits they haven't earned. My motto…..I'll do it myself thank you! My customers and I are happier that way. IMAGINE when you have the rules of a 50+ organization. ie. Paying for their drug rehab, etc. NO ONE WANTS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEMSELVES!!!!!!

By: Wendy Roe, Flanders, New Jersey

Wendy Roe, Flanders, New Jersey — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 09:04:49 +0000

I first opened my birth announcement and baby shower small business via MiracleMunchkins.com in 2000 and like many other small businesses we have also felt the downturn in the economy. What is getting us through is our repeat customers. Many large businesses forgot customer service and are now paying the price more heavily than some small businesses. As we all are parting with our money now a little more cautiously, I know I would rather spend my personal and business money on those businesses that remember that customer service is important. Small businesses do tend to remember that each customer is important. It is important to remember that while the unemployment rate is quite enormous, 90% of the US is still employed. Yes that does mean a decrease in sales and profits for retailers but retailers with good quality products and good customer service should make it through. How else can you explain that the iphone, which is not inexpensive, is selling well. Good luck to everyone, we will get through this.

By: Mo Gayasuddin, Used to live in Downey, CA

Mo Gayasuddin, Used to live in Downey, CA — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 22:00:49 +0000

I have a strange story. I staretd engineering division for my employer with 8 employees. As of Dec 2008 we were 52 employees, had exceptional growth all along. But now had to lay off 7 employees because we were not able to get new projects for the past two months. The reason, I can't get back to work. I am foriegn worker working in US on H1b and my visa is pending with department of state for more than 2 months now, this after living and working in USA for 9 years.
We build engineered products not just for USA but for Canada, mexico, South america, asia thus creating exports for the country. Its ironic that in our case we were not even given a chance to fight off the recession by US government.

By: Thomas, Illinois

Thomas, Illinois — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 17:09:42 +0000

We are a small machine shop servicing industrial customers, making and repairing machines for their infrastructure. As all our customers have cut way back, we have had to cut several employees. Skilled Machinists are almost impossible to find in America anymore, and as we lose them, we are losing them permanently. The push to high tech as well as this struggling economy is crippling the ability of small U.S. industries to compete at all on a world wide basis. The high doillar jobs requiring skills are vanishing because no one is training these people any more. We have actually considered switching over to training mode as this problem persists. Any suggestions from "out there"?

By: jeff meriden connecticut

jeff meriden connecticut — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 23:23:08 +0000

i've always worked for small mom and pops garages and got let go twice in the last 2 years due to people not spending money on getting there car maintained or fixed. i would inspect several cars a day that would need at least 500 dallors worth of work to make it safe to even be on the road, and no one could afford. i thought being a mechanic be a bullet proof job. i guess not, even dealership are closing up. so how are small business suppose to be better then big business, when big business cant even saves themself. i honestly think if the media said the economeny is starting to improve, then people will go out and spend money vs. saving it cause there afraid.

By: Chris, Ivyland, PA

Chris, Ivyland, PA — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 20:17:02 +0000

Rob in Denver said that small businesses should save in a good economy to have the cash to muster through in a bad economy. Sounds all well and good and on a peronal level, I subscribe to this whole heartedly. However, the governement does not allow businesses, especially small ones, to keep cash on hand for a rainy day or even for R&D or development. I can only speak to my own states taxing principles of course, but we have tried to be prudent with cash in the past with adverse affects. Case in point, a few years ago we had several large orders that we know would carry our year that were shipped and paid in the beginning of our fiscal year. Rather than simply earn a low savings account rate, we placed the money in a very safe tax-free muni fund for a better interest rate. Sounds smart and prudent, but not to the government who then wanted to tax us as an investment company (we are a small manufacturer who actually exports to China)! I am only talking about a couple hundred thousand for a matter of months. Unfortunately, it would seem that the squeaky (and larger) wheel gets the grease so as large corporations get bailouts, low interest loans, special taxation rules, and other special considerations, small businesses must struggle and have no ability to even plan for more than a year at a time without being punished. During our good years it would make a lot of sense to save for the years where business will be less. Unfortunately it does not make government sense.

By: Nan G, Mountlake Terrace, Washington

Nan G, Mountlake Terrace, Washington — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 21:10:33 +0000

I am a small business owner who has reduced expenses, cut my salary to nothing for months like everyone else. It is a sad situation when all of us Americans work hard for the American Dream only to not take our salaries, cut employees and work harder than ever to bail the banks. They (the banks) new their bottom line just like we did. I am shocked that CEO's can take bonuses and lavish trips knowing their bottom lines. We struggling have no-one to turn to but our bottom line and when it is nothing or NEGATIVE in their situation you do not get a darn thing!!!!.

America needs a wake up call on greed and coruption and people in powerful positions need to take a long look in the mirror. If the money is not there you do not get it you do not borrow it from hard working tax payers!!!!.

We all want to survive, grow and hire, but in these hard times it is just enough to hold on and stay alive while the wolves are at the door!!!!.. So remember when you go deposit that big time bonus you did not earn it nor do you deserve it and I feel you should look within your community at all the hard working businesses and unemployed and divided it up with them they paid you and their unemployed or struggling now.

By: Ron Carroll, Chicago, Illinois

Ron Carroll, Chicago, Illinois — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 14:57:00 +0000

I feel so bad for all of the businesses that are having problems. I know it must hurt to lay off people and see your dreams put on hold – or derailed. I’ve had that happen to me after the dot com bust. I started Get a Grip America Inc. (Getagripamerica.com) in 2004 as a social club for urban professionals to get a better grip on life (Get a grip on life). We have six different clubs designed to help people with everything from starting a business, managing money, getting a job, going back to school, picking up a hobby, sports, getting fit and more. I think that our business will do well in a good or bad economy, and we have experienced double-digit growth every year. We plan to double our membership base this year, but will continue to work on cost-cutting strategies while improving the quality of our programs. GOOD LUCK!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 05:19:53 +0000

I have been in business for 20 years perfect track record. Oh yes i have had a loss before, banks would work with you if you help with your cash and they would help in long term loan say five years. Ladies and gentelman not today. The banks them self are a mess and they are cutting off lines of credit to small business snap of a finger. When there world is perfect no problem loaning money, guess what there world is a mess and so be it, all of our worlds are a mess. As far as the goverment goes why should small business be subject to such harsh treatment since it's all our tax money anyway. Many small business can make it with a little help from the bank not free money just work with long term customers with great credit. Goeverment WMBE, WEBE AND GARBAGE. WHAT HAPPENED TO HONESTY INTEGRITY AND THE RIGHT TO WORK AND WIN THE WORK FOR WHO YOU ARE NOT FOR YOUR RACE, GENDER ETC. ALL THIS DOES IS CREATE CHEATERS LIERS AND BAD BUSINESS PRACTICES. In closing i find it insane to think of all our tax dollars given to the banks and the bank not working with small business that have strong track records, long term realationships and good credit but are having trouble due to what the banks them selfs created. There decision to loan money irresponsibly for the last four years. The banks must work with small business to help stimulate the economy. So what do you think about that. I am not upset only with goverment and there waste but banks thems selfs they should be discusted with them selfs. Oh yea my spelling isn't that good. In closing there is only really one thing i have to say the banks better help there long term customers not shoot them in the head point blank. To all good luck.

By: Simmone

Simmone — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 02:10:59 +0000

I agree with Rob Denver, I am also managing a few small businesses in Malaysia and whatever economic problem US is facing is spreading across Asia like a domino flu effect. Most of the Malaysian Chinese Entrepreneurs are very conservative. It is their culture to save hard and analyse every angle before investing; but we are mostly keeping and feeding our staffs and workers at this moment, if the financial crisis continues, we will implement pay cut or reduced working days; last hybernation period. Sales has plummeted as many big factories are closing down and retrenching workers. We will solve the problem as our ship sails. Actually, this is the best time to shop if a person has the CASH. Everything is extremely cheap. Retailers are suffering over here too and the dead mall symptoms can be felt.

By: Rob, Denver, CO

Rob, Denver, CO — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 21:54:38 +0000

I quote Warren Buffett "When the economy is good, save your money. When the economy is bad, spend your money." As relates to small business, the last few years small businesses should have been saving everything during the good times. As a result, you would now have extra to spend for whatever purpose necessary now during the bad times such as keeping your employees, buying inventory, or marketing. Can you imagine having a ton to spend on marketing right now? You could dominate an industry at all time low advertising costs. Warren is one smart cookie. Think about it.

By: Denver

Denver — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 21:41:03 +0000

My partner and I own a women's clothing boutique in Denver. We anticipated the economy weakening so we did downsize our employees and now we are just working a bit harder. In fact our sales have actually increased during 2008 our second full year in business. We are in an industry that is very customer relationship oriented and we have gone the extra mile to ensure we retain current customers and keep them coming back. When normal walk in sales are low you have to create sales by fostering relationships with customers and providing extra services like wardrobe and closet cleanout, free social events, etc. within our industry. This ultimately results in more sales as customers tend to be loyal to one or two stores where they can get undivided attention and help. So yes, we are working hard but it is definitely worth it and when the economy does recover we will be one of the stores that really prospers.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 03:12:54 +0000

I have a small company and I'm closing the doors…not worth the hastle anymore…

By: sinking

sinking — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:08:59 +0000

We have owned a small plumbing company for the last 20 years, and we are sinking fast in this downturn in the economy. We began to feel it here, back when the whole subprime mess just got cranked up, back in 2006.

Always undercapitalized and operating on a shoestring, we did what you aren't supposed to do. Borrow on cc's.

Of course, the economy has only worsened, severely, since then. CC's all maxed and behind, not enough business to keep up.

Folks just aren't spending money these days to remodel their homes, or certainly not to build new ones. Folks aren't investing in opening businesses, thus no need for trades-people to provide services for same.

There just isn't enough work. I'm with the other poster, bring back the 50's, without the segragation.

By: Kelly Bramble, Atlanta GA

Kelly Bramble, Atlanta GA — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 22:52:04 +0000

I own and have operated a small engineering consulting and publishing organization for the last eight years. I have noticed a reduction in RFQ's, as well as slow pays on existing invoices from large organizations. Business is still good, however I have chosen not to hire much needed help due to uncertainties in my business climate. I have managed my overhead very carefully and will likely survive this down turn. I only hope the best for all small business operators.

By: gate..

gate.. — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 21:56:05 +0000

We are fast becoming a nations of consumers….. all our goods are made overseas.I recently purchased a small 5 lb. hammer The Handle was made in Tawain and the hamer head in Thiland.and assembled in Mexico…WOW.

AS CONSUMERS ONLY WE HAVE ON JOBS AND NO INCOME TO PURCHASE ANYTHING…THE MIDDLE CLASS IS ABOUT GONE.I CANT BUY A $34,000.00 CHEVY FORD AN GEM PRODUCT ANYMORE. AND I OWN MY OWN BUSINESS. ITS ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE..ITS GONE TO FAR DOWNHILL NOW…WE ARE BACK TO SQUARE ONE…. IT SO SAD TO SE THE U.S. BECOME A THIRD WORLD NATION REAL SOON.
i LONG FOR THE 1950S.WITHOUT THE SEGERATION……IT WAS A GREAT DECADE.

THANKS FOR READING THIS.

By: Alex, Honolulu, Hawaii

Alex, Honolulu, Hawaii — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 09:37:04 +0000

First time doing this, and don't know why. Maybe someone will read this and is helped in some way. Well I am truly a small business owner. I own a small salon and have no employee's. The one thing I got going for myself is I have little over head. My biggest bill would be my rent for the business. I worked for a barber shop in the mall where i live for six long years. All it was is long hours and paying a crap load of taxes. When I first started work there i worked 6 days a week 11 hours a day, after working for one year there I relized that if i took one day off a week, which means i worked 4 day less in a month I got paid the same when it comes to take home pay. I worked 4 day in a month for a whole year for free, for whom you ask the biggest gang of them all "Government". So Listen to my advice the more you work the more you get taxed, I rather go fishing.

By: Alex Media

Alex Media — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 06:43:23 +0000

I have been in the software business for 10 years and have been developing software for call centers in the Mortgage & Finance sector. Yes, we took a big hit on sales. We have moved our focus and now market to other industries such as debt collections, and Loan Modifications. As a small business owner we are able to adapt rapidly and make the necessary changes to stay competitive in today's uncertain economic state. For all negative there is a positive somewhere, we just have to some how find it whether its in our business; family or personal health. No matter what living hear in America should make us appreciate the "material" things that we still have or had :) such as multi-vehicles, cool cell phones , flat screen TVs in at least one room in the house and of course the occasional weekend excursions. So rough it out a little and make it humbling experience and spend more time with your loved ones and yes and don't forget to smile, laugh and joke around, its not the end of the world ..