PUST GOT THE BOOT from my office. I was told in no uncertain terms by my new general manager that I didn't need to be in the office anymore. The shop was off-limits, and I should be outside meeting customers and spending time with them.
"That's where your strength is," she said. I agree with her, and I know she's right, but it's still hard. I've been doing everything for so long it just seems a little strange to let go.
When I first became a small-business owner, I had visions of me delivering every job so that I could be close to the customers. I wanted to hear and interact with each of them. That didn't happen. Sure, I drove the delivery vehicle, but only to put gas in it.
Then I had to head back to the business to tackle another problem. There just never seemed to be enough time in the day to do everything that needed to be done, let alone do the things that I'm semicompetent at, such as sales or marketing.
A friend kept saying, "You have to surround yourself with good talented people." I know it's true, but sometimes it's tough to let go of the control.
I don't think it was my ego that got in the way - I'm still on the rotation to clean the bathroom.I think it could have been more of a trust issue, and trust me, I have issues. For the past six months, I've been trying to change the environment and the employees in the business from complacency to loyalty, from mediocrity to distinction, from indifferent to fastidious.
It's been a good run. The employees are wonderful people, and they have proved their mettle by rising to the occasion and changing their whole business attitude.
