02/ 11/ 2008
by Shannon McRae
Finding fulfillment through your small business
Finding fulfillment through work is a common goal. Many Americans spend years trying to find a job that strikes that perfect balance between personal satisfaction and financial security. Fortunately for most small-business owners, finding rewarding work comes easier than it does for other workers.
If Marie Moody wakes up in the middle of the night, she suppresses the urge to get up and check her e-mail. It's a big change from her former career as a sales rep in the fashion industry, when working before or after traditional office hours was the norm—and a chore. "I knew something was missing when the thing I looked forward to most all day was lunch," Moody says. "I wanted to do something that mattered to me."
Around the same time as her career crisis, the then-thirtysomething, single New Yorker rescued Chewy, a 2-year-old brown and black mutt who had suffered neglect and abuse during his short canine life. A weakened immune system left Chewy seriously ill, and at the recommendation of her vet, Moody began researching raw diets for her dog. The meals she prepared for him at home helped tremendously. Chewy became a healthy and more energetic dog—and Moody found her passion.
"People love their pets so much," Moody says. "I started thinking that if people knew what I was learning about species-appropriate diets, they'd be interested." So in 2002 Moody quit her job to launch Stella and Chewy's out of her tiny New York City apartment, taking cabs to make deliveries to local pet supply stores that carried her all-natural, raw, frozen and freeze-dried products. "I have always loved dogs, and to be able to do something for them that directly affects their health was very appealing to me," she says.
Finding fulfillment through work is a common goal, and it's one that comes easier for small-business owners than it does for other workers. In fact, 51 percent of business owners say they spend a majority of their time doing what they like to do best, according to a study by the NFIB Research Foundation.
"Choice of lifestyle and the ability to make a difference are perhaps the most appealing aspects of business ownership," says Bruce Phillips, senior fellow of regulatory studies for the NFIB Research Foundation. "Many owners deeply value their own flexibility and independence, and they find that despite the longer hours, starting a small business provides the lifestyle that suits them best."
For Moody, creating a business that helped animals was the perfect fit. While she says she learned a lot during her years in the fashion industry, she felt a void. "Although I respected the people I worked for, I just didn't have the same level of fulfillment," she says. "I didn't care about T-shirts as much as I do dog food!"
Still, Moody surprised herself at the level of dedication she had for her new company. Before she started her business, she'd leave the office on Fridays and not think about it again before she returned the next week. "It never stops now," Moody says of her focus on Stella and Chewy's. "I never really get away. The highs are higher, but the lows are lower."
One of the highs has been the business' steady rate of growth, which can be attributed partly to Moody's smart financial strategies. She continuously reinvests in the business. As Stella and Chewy's developed a following, the business outgrew Moody's kitchen. Last year, she moved the company from Manhattan to her home state of Wisconsin and into a 13,000-square-food manufacturing facility. Developing the natural-food products was easier in a state known for farms and fresh produce. Stella and Chewy's products are now sold in 900 stores nationwide. The fast growth is exciting—but stressful.
"It has turned into a serious business with payroll, production and manufacturing issues," Moody says. "Every now and then, I'll think to myself, ‘Wait a minute—this isn't fun anymore.' " But on a recent morning, a call from a store in Arcadia, Calif., brought back the joy. Someone there found a Chihuahua that had been left in a dumpster. The dog wouldn't eat anything—until the customer offered it a bite of Stella and Chewy's food. "It's the only thing this little dog would eat," Moody says. "Stories like that are so exciting—it makes me think maybe I am making a difference. It's not just about me trying to get the best margin—it's about making food that makes a difference."
The Thrill of Excitement
Duane Hickerson finds his fulfillment in the part of business most others dread—the challenges. Two years ago he sold his portion of ownership in an established business to concentrate more on a new promotional product firm. "I like business," says the owner of Columbus, Ohio-based Relay Gear. "I like the challenge of growing."
Seeing an opportunity to help grow a new business, Hickerson returned to startup mode, pouring his talent and experience into the new company, which boasts big-name clients such as Wendy's International and Time-Warner. "This is a fun business," he says. "I don't feel like every day is drudgery."
Drudgery was more common during the early part of Hickerson's career. Right out of college he worked in sales for a large corporation where he says he learned a lot of valuable lessons—the biggest one being that he wanted to work for himself. "I didn't like the corporate bureaucracy," he says. "I spent a lot of time doing things that weren't productive—like writing reports that I knew were just sitting on people's desks in corporate."
He knew he wanted to work for himself; he just wasn't sure what he wanted to do. "I was always looking for opportunities," he remembers. After years in the corporate world, "I wanted to be in control," he says.
In 1987, he started a printing and fulfillment business, which he sold last year to devote more time to Relay Gear. During the last 20 years as an entrepreneur, business hasn't always been easy. "We have really good months, and we have bad months," he says. "But the key is balancing revenue with expenses. You're always trying to keep the clients you have and gain new ones to help pay for more growth.
"Sometimes when your revenue drops and expenses are too high, you think, 'Uh oh.'
It's a challenge, but it's fun. If you want security, it's hard to go out on your own. It's very unpredictable."
The unpredictability is what drives Hickerson. The born-salesman enjoys meeting new people and learning about new businesses. His businesses have taken him all over the country where he's met people in various industries. Making those connections is rewarding, he says, because it fuels further growth. "If you do a good job, people will continue to use you," he says.
Doing more than what he promised is Hickerson's goal. And being in charge means he has control to make sure customer service is outstanding. "It's important to me to do everything honestly," he says. "I don't want to do anything that's not done the right way."
With his love for challenging business ventures so apparent, it's hard to imagine Hickerson stepping back. "I'm 50 going on 30," he says. "I don't even think about retirement. Who knows what will happen with this business? We may keep growing, or maybe someone will want to buy us. If that happens, I'm sure I'll find something else to do."
5 Ways to Love Your Job More
Maybe you inherited your business from a parent, or perhaps you're just not that fired up about the widgets you make. Earning a living is a necessity, but everyone's goal is to find a job that inspires them—and pays the bills. If you're not as fortunate as Marie Moody or Duane Hickerson--who found the sweet spots in their careers--consider these simple ways to make your daily toil more fulfilling:
- Find what matters. We all make a difference in some way—big or small. Take some time to reflect on your business. Focus on the ways you help others, and take pride in those accomplishments.
- Be a good boss. Think back to the days when you worked for someone else. Remember what a big influence the person in charge had on your daily routine? Be considerate to employees, and you'll make a huge difference in their lives.
- Give back. The great thing about owning a business is that you get to make the decisions. Choose a charitable organization for your business to support and lend your time and money to helping out.
- Share your knowledge. You know so much about your industry—why not teach others? Investigate teaching opportunities at local community colleges or through local trade associations. Being the expert on something is always fun.
- Get a life. Don't love what you do with a passion? Then focus on finding great people who can run your business while you go out and do what you love. It might take a few years, but it's never too soon to think about your exit strategy.
