Just over two years ago, when my husband was presenting all the “perks” of owning his own business, the idea of having more time as a family really appealed to me. It was probably the biggest selling point my husband could present. I don’t believe that either of us were prepared, however, for sharing our family time!
Yes, I admit, we do spend more time together as a family. But very rarely do we do anything or go anywhere without my husband’s phone ringing. Nine times out of ten, it’s a business call that he “has to take”. At restaurants, movies, the park, family gatherings…EVERY CALL COUNTS.
One evening had been particularly rough, and the two of us were just sitting down to watch some of the many shows we’d recorded on DVR. About 15 minutes into our first show, at around 11:30pm, his phone rang. To say I was irritated is putting it mildly. He answered to find a very intoxicated man requesting a quote for a windshield replacement. Being the good businessman that he is, he looked up the part and price, and gave the man a quote. The man scheduled the job for the next day. My husband called me after doing the job to inform me that he had met his first customer who actually jumped up and down with excitement about having his windshield replaced! Yes…he was still drunk. But he was a happy customer, and we made money we wouldn’t have made if Patrick hadn’t answered that call. EVERY CALL COUNTS!
I am constantly reminding myself that the decision “we” made (in quotes because I only take responsibility for it when it’s good!) to become business owners requires us to be on call all the time. If we miss a call, the next glass company may get that job. And in this economy, we can’t afford that!
This is why Patrick carried his phone into the ocean this past June…he was waiting for a call. The call came, but several hours later when the phone was being eaten alive by the salt water after the largest wave EVER struck my husband…and his shirt pocket (where the phone was nice and safely waiting). By the time Patrick could get back in touch with the caller, all eight jobs had been contracted out to another company. EVERY CALL COUNTS!
So, do we enjoy our added family time…YES. Do we like sharing it with strangers? Not really!!! But we have learned rather quickly that owning our own business is not an eight to five gig! It’s all day, every day. The key is learning to appreciate what it means. Our business is growing. We’re making more money. We’re a step closer to reaching our goals. We’re succeeding!
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