Family support critical to biz success
It’s called brain overload. We all do it, some of us more than others: We forget things. We have so many things on our mind, layered like onion skin, that inevitably we overlook or forget something.
Take the case of Woody Burd, a subject for a story I wrote several weeks ago that we published on Oct. 16.
Burd has been working 18-hour days at a business he started after he was downsized out of a utility job he had for more than 22 years. Losing his job in his early 50s put him at his wits’ end, not knowing what to do to earn a living. It was a good job and he knew he’d not find another here like it. “I thought I was going to retire from the place,’ he says.
So, starting a business became his main option and he and his wife studied several different types before settling on one.
They opened a service station/convenience store near Farmington where he and his wife, Melanie, have been on an entrepreneurial roller coaster during the past three years. The couple has more than $1 million invested in the operation (including his retirement funds). To say he has a major loan to pay off is an understatement.
So, during the interview he eagerly credited everyone who has helped him in any way to get the business up and running. He named his wife, several family members and others. He thanked his customers and the residents in his area for their support. He works hard to personalize service to his patrons and bring what he calls “Uniontown prices to the mountain.’ Also during the interview he took care of business, running in and out of the store to help customers and pose for some photos.
But it was a mournful Burd who called me early last week to tell me he forgot to mention by name one of the most important supporters he has: his sister, Darla Burd Swenglish.
“She has been more supportive morally than anyone else,’ Burd says. “I feel so bad. I know I mentioned that my sister has helped me so much but I forgot to give you her name.’
“If someone calls off sick, my sister is here to help. I know I can’t make it up to her,’ he says.
Others he forgot to specifically name are his niece, Courtney Swenglish, and a close family friend, Mitchell Sutton.
“During the grand opening (held over Father’s Day weekend and dedicated to Burd’s father and his father-in-law) we had a lot of help from friends and family,’ Burd adds.
While the story remains to be about Burd and what it took to get the business started, it’s also about the support system small business owners have. That support and help usually comes from close family and friends. I say close because situations like his tend to uncover jealousies or hidden animosities that prevent some from wanting to see the other person succeed. Too often we become very judgmental and withhold our help. Or, we “help’ others by offering them support or advice based on our wishes and preferences and not theirs. We fail to see what their needs really are. We aren’t truly empathetic.
That means someone like Burd’s sister, Darla, who gives unconditional support, is tough to find.
Burd’s lost 45 pounds since starting the adventure and only during the past year have he and his wife begun collecting regular paychecks for themselves. It’s been a struggle, a challenge, a series of hurdles and obstacles and the workdays aren’t getting shorter. Anyone who owns a business knows firsthand that in its first few years (and many more after) you have to live, breathe, eat and sleep with it to make sure it doesn’t collapse.
Yet, it doesn’t mean he has stopped loving or caring about his sister any less. He’s not unappreciative. He just has a lot on his mind.
Know what I mean?
Have a good day.
James Pletcher Jr. is business editor at the Herald-Standard. He can be reached at (724) 439-7571 or by e-mail at Jpletcher@heraldstandard.com.