From the time I was eight years old, I knew I wanted to be a business owner. Not for the reasons many people think about, such as independence and control of their money. No, I knew I wanted to own a business to create a safe, inviting, and growth environment with great pay and benefits for my employees.
I am thankful every day that I get to do just that. This week, I realized I was able to make more of an impact in one of my employees’ lives.
Kourtney just started to work for me. This was her first day on the job. Service was super slow on her first day, but she was doing an outstanding job handling orders coming in. Her shift ended, and she expressed how she enjoyed working here. I told her how glad I am to have her on the team.
Later that evening, I received a text from her stated she enjoyed working for me, but she did not want to waste my time. She has to quit because the daycare provider full-through.
My first thought was, oh no, she belongs here. If you order from our restaurant, you know we close for service a few times each month to do community involvement. Our community involvement consists of teaching youth how to make tasty meals using plants only, so they are aware of the healthier options out there. I believe in being a positive change within my community. Any way I can be. Because to touch one life and may a difference will start a ripple that can change thousands of lives.
The following day, I text back telling her she can bring her daughter to work, and together we can come up with a permanent solution so you can continue to receive income into your household. My employee responded, expressing her gratitude and thankfulness. I must confess I never felt more full of joy! Because of my choice to be a business owner, I’m able to provide Kourtney with income and provide her with peace of mind that she is not in this fight alone. This is my why…to help people, especially single mothers, because I was them!
Today, it’s hard to find quality employees available and who want to work, but we as business owners know they are out there. This is why so many job positions are offering bouns, although I think that’s a great idea. This week I realized that sometimes it’s more about helping your employee find peace of mind and bring stability to their household. Kourtney is not the only single mother looking to provide for her family but has daycare issues. Nor is daycare the only issue employees have. No matter what the problem may be, our top priority as business owners should be the mental well-being of our employees. That is done by meeting their needs right where they are. Not only will it be life-changing for them but also the ultimate impact on your community
Talk to you soon!
Roberta Lowe
Restauranteur, Author, and Coach
