This is a letter that I saw on someone’s blog. I have no idea if it was truthfully given out to employees at a company, but it does highlight the issues that few understand from an employer perspective.

This letter openly discusses the issues facing America and how tough it can be for a CEO.  Please listen and understand the messages in this text.  If we could all try to appreciate the point-of-view, we’d all be better off.

To All My Valued Employees:

There have been some rumblings around the office about the future of this company, and more specifically, your job. As you know, the economy has changed for the worse and presents many challenges.

However, the good news is this: The economy doesn’t pose a threat to your job. What does threaten your job however, is the changing political landscape in this country.

Of course, as your employer, I am forbidden to tell you how to think politically- it is against the law to discriminate based on political affiliation, race, creed, religion, etc. Yes, the elections are now over, but as Americans, we still have a powerful voice through letter writing, placing phone calls to Congress, and volunteering our time & effort for causes near & dear to us. After all, they were elected to represent you. Please do (or not do) whatever you think will serve your interests and the interests of the country the best.

However, let me tell you some little tidbits of fact which might help you decide what is in your best interest.

First, while it is easy to spew rhetoric that casts employers against employees, you have to understand that for every business owner there is a back story. This back story is often neglected and overshadowed by what you see and hear. Sure, you see me park my Mercedes outside. You’ve seen my big home at last year’s Christmas party. I’m sure all these flashy icons of luxury conjure up some idealized thoughts about my life.

However, what you don’t see is the back story:

I started this company 12 years ago. At that time, I lived in a 300 square foot studio apartment for 3 years. My entire living apartment was converted into an office so I could put forth 100% effort into building a company, which by the way, would eventually employ you. My diet consisted of Ramen Pride noodles because every dollar I spent went back into this company. I drove a rusty Toyota Corolla with a defective transmission. I didn’t have time to date. Often times, I stayed home on weekends, while my friends went out drinking and partying. In fact, I was married to my business – hard work, discipline, and sacrifice.

Meanwhile, my friends got jobs. They worked 40 hours a week and made a modest $50K a year and spent every dime they earned. They drove flashy cars and lived in expensive homes and wore fancy designer clothes. Instead of hitting the Nordstrom’s for the latest hot fashion item, I was trolling through the Goodwill store extracting any clothing item that didn’t look like it was birthed in the 70′s. My friends refinanced their mortgages and lived a life of luxury. I, however, did not. I put my time, my money, and my life into a business with a vision that eventually, some day, I too, will be able to afford these luxuries my friends supposedly had.

So, while you physically arrive at the office at 9am, mentally check in at about noon, and then leave at 5pm, I don’t. There is no "off" button for me. When you leave the
office, you are done and you have a weekend all to yourself. I unfortunately do not have the freedom. I eat, shit, and breathe this company every minute of the day.

There is no rest. There is no weekend. There is no happy hour. Every day this business is attached to my hip like a 1 year old special-needs child. You, of course, only see the fruits of that garden — the nice house, the Mercedes, the vacations… you never realize the back story and the sacrifices I’ve made.

Now, the economy is falling apart and I, the guy that made all the right decisions and saved his money, have to bail-out all the people who didn’t. The people that overspent their paychecks suddenly feel entitled to the same luxuries that I earned and sacrificed a decade of my life for.
Yes, business ownership has is benefits but the price I’ve paid is steep and not without wounds.

Unfortunately, the cost of running this business, and employing you, is starting to eclipse the threshold of marginal benefit and let me tell you why: I am being taxed to death and the government thinks I don’t pay enough. I have state taxes. Federal taxes. Property taxes. Sales and use taxes. Payroll taxes. Workers compensation taxes. Unemployment taxes. Taxes on taxes. I have to hire a tax man to manage all these taxes and then guess what? I have to pay taxes for employing him. Government mandates and regulations and all the accounting that goes with it, now occupy most of my time. On Oct 15th, I wrote a check to the US Treasury for $288,000 for quarterly taxes. You know what my "stimulus" check was? Zero. Nada. Zilch.

The question I have is this: Who is stimulating the economy? Me, the guy who has provided 14 people good paying jobs and serves over 2,200,000 people per year with a flourishing business? Or, the single mother sitting at home pregnant with her fourth child waiting for her next welfare check? Obviously, government feels the latter is the economic stimulus of this country.

The fact is, if I deducted (Read: Stole) 50% of your paycheck you’d quit and you wouldn’t work here. I mean, why should you? That’s nuts.

Who wants to get rewarded only 50% of their hard work? Well, I agree which is why your job is in jeopardy.

Here is what many of you don’t understand … to stimulate the economy you need to stimulate what runs the economy. Had suddenly government mandated to me that I didn’t need to pay taxes, guess what? Instead of depositing that $288,000 into the Washington black-hole, I would have spent it, hired more employees, and generated substantial economic growth. My employees would have enjoyed the wealth of that tax cut in the form of promotions and better salaries. But you can forget it now.

When you have a comatose man on the verge of death, you don’t defibrillate and shock his thumb thinking that will bring him back to life, do you? Or, do you defibrillate his heart? Business is at the heart of America and always has been. To restart it, you must stimulate it, not kill it. Suddenly, the power brokers in Washington believe the mud of America is the essential drivers of the American economic engine. Nothing could be further from the truth and this is the type of change you can keep.

So where am I going with all this?

It’s quite simple. If any new taxes are levied on me, or my company, my reaction will be swift and simple. I fire you. I fire your co-workers. You can then plead with the government to pay for your mortgage, your SUV, and your child’s future. Frankly, it isn’t my problem anymore.

Then, I will close this company down, move to another country, and retire. You see, I’m done. I’m done with a country that penalizes the productive and gives to the unproductive. My motivation to work and to provide jobs will be destroyed, and with it, will be my citizenship.

While tax cuts to 95% of America sounds great on paper, don’t forget the back story: If there is no job, there is no income to tax. A tax cut on zero dollars is zero.

So, when you make your decision whether to support or fight against the President Obama’s tax & economic plans, ask yourself, who understands the economics of business ownership and who doesn’t? Whose policies will endanger your job?

Answer those questions and you should know who might be the one capable of saving your job. While the media wants to tell you "It’s the economy stupid" I’m telling you it isn’t.

If you lose your job, it won’t be at the hands of the economy; it will be at the hands of a political hurricane that swept through this country, steamrolled the constitution, and will have changed its landscape forever. If that happens, you can find me in the South Caribbean sitting on a beach, retired, and with no employees to worry about.

Signed,
Your Boss

What the heck is the difference between these two types of entrepreneurs?

In his book The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur , Mike Michalowicz describes the differences between the world of modern day entrepreneurs.  A Media Darling Entrepreneur is someone who seems to rocket to huge success seamlessly, almost overnight.  A Toilet Paper Entrepreneur on the other hand, is someone who struggled and worked much harder to get to where they are.  Most entrepreneurs fall into category number 2.

And that’s OK.  Building a business takes time.  Depending on what you want to start, it may be helpful to get experience in the business by working for someone else before stepping out on your own.

So don’t be upset if you don’t become an overnight success: no one has.  Even the people that seem to rocket to the top had months and years of preparation -where they "worked" for free- before getting into the big leagues.  Have patience and persistence, and if you truly desire a better life for yourself (and others), you’ll join with them someday.  Godspeed.

Who knew you could make bathroom graffiti into business advice?

Mike Michalowicz, the author of The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur , did just that!  Today Mike is officially releasing The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur to the world!  His book is all about growing a business without money , experience, or other “necessities” – because that’s how he launched all of his companies (two of which have sold for millions).  Check it out at www.ToiletPaperEntrepreneur.com . I’ve talked with him, and he’s agreed to give my readers free shipping!  Just enter "FREESHIP" when checking out at www.ToiletPaperEntrepreneur.com .  Thanks Mike!

To kick off his book launch, Mike’s released several blog posts, one of which is called "The World’s Best Business Advice from Bathroom Graffiti Artists " that shows you what you can learn about business from what you thought was pointless bathroom graffiti!  Definitely worth reading.

Mike Michalowicz, the author of the book The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur and a successful entrepreneur who has built and sold 2 companies, explains in this video the importance of being frugal when starting a company.

This funny video has a great message that you can learn from…most importantly, from someone who has been there, done that, and truly lives the message.  I’d know…I met him today.  Enjoy!

Have you ever wanted to start your own business, but felt that there were many things stopping you?  No money?  No experience?

Mike Michalowicz, the author of the book The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur knows exactly what it takes to go from zero to hero.  With a refreshing, no fluff, no B.S. approach, Mike’s book gives you what you need to know to succeed.

I read the book myself, and found the action steps at the end of each chapter to be one of the books best benefits.  They help you apply what you learn, and best of all: the advice is coming from a successful entrepreneur that knows what it’s like to start with a little and turn it into a lot (I mean, if he can use 3 sheets of toilet paper to wipe himself, he’s definitely got skills).

Mike truly stands out against the “noise” that is out there in the business community today.

For anyone that feels like they need to get off the pot and start themselves on the road to entrepreneurship, this book is for you!

Visit www.ToiletPaperEntrepreneur.com to hear testimonials, read more about the book, and pick up a sample chapter for FREE!