being a business owner these days sure is hard, as hard as I try, as many hours as I put in, as many inew ideas I create, the effort in making your business great isn't paying off as it use too. Plain and simple business in this country sucks!

I own a restaurant in NYC, our doors been open for almost 18 years so I considered it very successful. It's a small family business, after my father past away I took charge. I've always looked for better ideas to grow my business and has always paid off. From better variety, great homestyle cooking, nice warm enviorment, to good marketing. It has always paid off, everything I have today I have because of my restaurant, I'm always proud to be self employed and I've always been proud of my restaurant's success.


The greatest years I've witnessed are from 06-summer of 08, those were definitely the grestest years I've had in my business, money was everywhere. I was making so much money that I was spending it like no tomorrow, I would never budget anything. When the stock market crashed in 08 there was such a decline in sales, everyone was panicking, everyone I knew that was self employed business owner was saying the same," la cosas tan mala". There has been some ups and downs till this day but we always have payed our bill on time, I still today feel happy and proud to own a business, but its just not the same anymore. Keeping our doors open have been very hard for the last couple of days, these last few days, I've had for the first time taken money out of my o ther ventures to cover for the restaurant, I am also a landlord, I have a few houses here and there, but anyway, are there any other. Business owners having a hard time keeping doors open, the economy has greatly affected my business, oh and our great gov leaders have made it so difficult for business to stay open, so many new regulations and bullsh!t to deal with, I'm really getting tired of it. Does any one else feel this way? How is your business doing?

Luigy, I feel you. I have been an employee most of my life but for the last 4 years I attempted to launch a business, and unfortunately each and every time I end up back to square one. I have not been able to get it off the ground, take off and go. It just has not happened. The obstacles have been great and numerous. I have also tried everything and nothing seems to work. So I continue and remain as an employee in private industry, but will remain steadfast in my approach and put forth my best foot forward until one day, I can leave my job and become completely independent. However, the road seems all uphill, very long and extremely narrow. Regardless, I can't give up now and neither can nor should you.

One thing I did learn is that business is cyclical, periodically changes and takes a totally different, unexpected direction. Unfortunately, we get caught up in our own success and falsely think it will stay the same, never end and remain forever. I am quite sure that you have thought and asked yourself, what could posssibly go wrong? After all these years, you have done everything right, worked hard, put in the time and effort thus the outcome can only be positive. However, I have seen many successful business owners come and go precisely for that same reason, money keeps flowing in like water out of a faucet, until one day, they drop their guard, unprepared, it suddenly gets cut off.

The key is to adapt to changes in the business cycles. In the mean time we should always hope for the best, but prepare for the worse. The old adage save for a rainy day is full of wisdom, which means we should all live below our means. It is a principle we must all follow.

It is easy to make money when things are good. Anybody can make money when it is available in abundant supply, but when things get bad, now that is what separates the men from the boys. "When the going gets tough the tough get going"

Thank God you have other alternative sources to keep your business afloat. There are very few people as fortunate as you who can say the same thing. However, there will be a time or a point of no return. It will be a shame that a family business of over 18 years will have to close its doors. But I doubt it very much. I believe you have deep roots in the community and if it means you have to cut prices and costs to keep business going to cover expenses, then so be it. Just keep fighting, you will lose a few battles, but I am sure in the very end, you will win the war.

Good luck and best wishes for you and your business during these uncertain, turbulent times and period of turmoil.

all i can say is this economy sucks and this gov sucks even more. big reason why im starting to hate it, is because of its increasing bureaucracy. it takes all the fun out. hopefully Ron Paul gets in 2012 so at least we can feel optimistic