NFIB

Cheyenne Business Owner Stays on the Horn
05/15/2002

Dale Kjack (pronounced Check) calls NFIB's state director before every legislative session to see if there are issues on the agenda that might affect his business.

"You just never know what legislators are going to do," says Kjack, who owns a staffing firm and a wholesale ice distributing business in Cheyenne, Wyo. "I like to know what's on the docket, so I can fight it if it's bad for my businesses."

A few years ago, Kjack joined with NFIB and several other organizations to successfully fight a state sales tax on services.

"I never thought I'd line up on the same side as attorneys and labor unions," says Kjack, whose wife owns an antique business. "But they picked on everyone when they tried to tax services."

Kjack works too hard to let government regulations and taxes ruin his businesses.

During the week, he runs a temporary and permanent staffing company. On Saturdays and Sundays, he works in his ice business, where he bags ice and sells it wholesale.

"Some Mondays I like going back to work, because it's easier than the manual labor I do over the weekend," he says.

Quick Facts:
Name: Express Personnel Services and Check's Ice
Location: Cheyenne, Wyo.
Founded: Express-1970, Check's-1979
Number of employees: Express-two, Check's-varies with season

How did you get into the business?
Express Personnel acquired the franchise company that I was associated with when I first opened my temporary and permanent staffing company almost 33 years ago. Though most of our business is temporary staffing, we do some direct and probationary hiring too. In addition to the staffing company, I also own a business that bags ice and sells it wholesale. During the winter months, I have one employee. We use about four people when business picks up in the summer.

Why did you join NFIB?
I joined NFIB because they fight for small business. The problems of big companies are nothing like my own. I needed a group that will look out for the interests of my business. The employment industry gets hit with the bulk of government regulations. I have to work hard to run my business and comply with all the federal mandates. NFIB helps fight regulations and taxes, and tries to solve a problem of most all small business: the cost of health care.

I also was impressed with NFIB's involvement at the state level. Our state director, Tom Jones, is highly respected among lawmakers. He's also very accessible. I call him at the beginning of each session and ask him what's on the docket that will affect my business.

How did you become involved in NFIB grassroots activism?
A few years ago, lawmakers in Cheyenne wanted to tax all services -- and that would have meant my business. Supporters of the service tax didn't understand that it was basically another tax on wages for business owners like myself in the service industry. A coalition that included everyone from NFIB to attorneys to labor unions raised money for advertising against the wage tax. We went to the Capitol and testified against the tax and were successful in defeating it.

What are your top legislative concerns?
Health care costs and a minimum wage hikes are the two most important issues to my business. I can barely afford to pay for health insurance for my employees, and they can't afford it themselves either. We've got to find a way to address the ever-growing costs.

Temporary staffing companies often get blamed for paying only minimum wages. But here in Cheyenne, we seldom have people working for less than $7.00/hr. Many make between $7.50 and $8.50. The market takes care of raising or lowering wages. Some lawmakers don't understand that a minimum wage hike hurts the very people it's supposed to help. If we raise the minimum wage, small business won't be able to afford to hire high-school students who want part-time jobs. Lawmakers are just buying votes when they propose raising the minimum wage.

Why do you like being a small business owner?
I'm so independent that no one would hire me. I love the freedom of being able to run things my way. Even though owning a business can be discouraging at times, I like the satisfaction of accomplishing something.