a beauty shop back in the late 70's. It was in a community that was growing fast because Texas was starting to boom again.....General Dynamics started calling back the huge lay-off population of the F-111 days...and starting up F-16 production.

The shop was about 10 years old with the possiblity of 7 chairs running, but all the while I was working there, it was a 5 chair operation.
I made, after taxes, 50% of what I brought in. Building up a clientele is the most tedious part. I had to be there at 7:00 am for a chance at the before work group...and stay until 7-9 pm on many nights for a chance at the after work people. A haircut was $6.00...perms were anywhere from $20.00-$60.00...and an extremely busy week I would bring home 300.00...seemed like alot then....but I soon saw that it was all relative...I was putting in horrific hours....but I was young, married, energetic and excited because it was a rush, once I realized people were requesting ME!!

My boss/owner had a stroke...and it became apparent that she would not be returning. Her husband offered me the shop for a mere $6,000.... I could keep the name of the shop and, of course it already had a very good repeat client base. I chose to NOT take the offer. I have never wanted something to own me....I did not aspire to be rich...(I, too, come from a working class background.) I wanted to be able to go home at night and jes' fagetta bout it. (I also did not see that I could make any kind of even decent money, considering the dedication, hard work, long hours,and personnel problems that I KNEW would take place)

If anyone has their own business it is pure fallacy to think you are truly your own boss. You have to answer to the public....but on a much more personal level.

I took extreme pride in my work...(I still give a mean haircut)...but to me, the headache of owning ANY business just does not seem worth it.