Being the owner. The real perk.

December 13, 2011

Twenty eight years ago, while in culinary school, I swore I would never open my own restaurant.  This was at the conclusion of the class in which you designed your own restaurant; from the menu, scheduling, dining room design to the profit and loss.  No way I said.  Too much work.

Well, a mere nine years later, I did indeed open Babette’s.  I had reached the “glass ceiling” and found that I could not advance by working for someone else.  It’s still a pain in the ass.  I don’t make as much money as people think, though I must admit, there have been some stellar years.  I am constantly working on sales, marketing, plumbing, menu, scheduling, and that dreaded profit and loss.  I have yet to be able to take three whole weeks off to tour Europe.  Sometimes I’m here everyday.

But there is one thing that makes it all worthwhile and that is freedom.

Today I went to the Apple store and replaced my husband’s I phone because he refuses to go to a place where you have to make an appointment to buy something.  I find it quite convenient.  (I was pissed the first time though).  I went into work a little late.

Then I left at 2:30 to take my daughter to a doctor because she has been struggling with torn ligaments in her ankle since July.  I wanted to speak with the doctor about the results of her last procedure.  I dropped her at home and came back in to work.

This may seem minor, but for those of you who punch other people’s time clocks, you know how frustrating it is to not be able to get little things done.  I have to schedule this flexibility and there are times when my daughter could have used me at home and I didn’t feel I could go.  But when push comes to shove, I call someone in and I go.  It’s my payroll.

So that’s it.  That’s why I do it.

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