A happy July 4th to all my countrymen– and women.  Because technically it’s “Independence Day,” I’m only too glad to celebrate freedom and independence. And,  I’d like to share a great example of the freedom we have in this country to pursue ones dreams, as it was related to me just this morning:

 A young man in his mid-20’s (let’s call him ‘Dave’) was highly liked by his coworkers and all the vendors who encountered him. As a building framer, his days were spent outside, putting up the skeletons of new homes. 

 His employer noticed that Dave’s persona was like a glue that held the rest of his work teams together. Knowing that a slow season was coming upon them, the employer didn’t want to lose Dave.  He offered Dave a salaried position with the intention of keeping him through the slow season.

Dave accepted. He was putting in 70- and 80-hour weeks, but he knew that when the slow time came, he’d still be on salary, so he figured it was a fair trade.

But then the owner brought on a partner . . . and when the slowdown did finally hit, the partner didn’t like Dave being on salary.  And Dave was laid off.

Suffice it to say that Dave was not happy camper. But because he knew many people in the trade, he decided to open his own framing business. He moved to a different state, got all the tools, equipment, and vehicles he needed with the help of some very supportive family members, and  - - - yesterday Dave went to work framing his first house as his own boss.

Congrats to you, Dave. Hats off. This is just a slice of the freedom that we enjoy in America; to see opportunity in what would otherwise be a setback, and to take the initiative—and the risk—to strike out on your own.

 May you and your newly formed company enjoy success at all levels.

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Filed in Work, Business, Leadership, Workplace, Corporate Culture