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The greatest business book I have ever read is one called, The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber. Mr. Gerber shares the fact that many businesses fail because the owners have created a job for themselves instead of a business.
What that means is that too many business owners have quit their day jobs and simply created a new job in which to work.
Business owners should work “on” their business as opposed to “in” their business. Business owners should HIRE employees to do the physical labor and the owners should maintain their role as the one who runs and organizes and works to grow the business.
I remember when I was in the process of starting my business. At that time, I had not yet read or even heard of the E Myth Revisited book. However, I knew that I had not worked hard to earn my Master’s Degree to end up cleaning houses. My goal was to provide a career path in my cleaning business—NOT become a cleaner.
And so when I shared this information on a forum, a man challenged me. He mocked me. He found it sooooo funny that I had actually read many books in preparation for starting the business. He found it soooo funny that I had zero plans to work in the business as a house cleaner.
He even went so far as to brag about the fact that he and his wife (both in their 50’s) did all the cleaning themselves.
As I look back on it, I realize that he does not have a business. He has a job that he has created for himself. And sadly, the thought has not even occurred to him to free himself and his wife of the back breaking work that goes into cleaning houses.
I remember the same man questioning me as to why I created various forms for my business. Again, when I look back on it, he has no reason to create forms or to use forms because he has no business. When you own a business, you will need forms. I created all types of record keeping forms and I created a customized timesheet for my employees. I hired a company to do my payroll.
If you are reading this and you are thinking of going into business, your goal should be to provide jobs to others. Your role should be to grow your company. If you are the one doing the physical labor in your business, when exactly will you have time to run the establishment?
I’ll go so far as to say that as long as you are personally working in your business as an employee, your business won’t really grow. Keep your day job when you first start your company (or go part time). Stay on your day job and hire employees for the business. Don’t quit your day job until after your business is up, running and financially healthy.
For goodness sake, be patient. Working in your business is a trap that is difficult to escape. The 50+ year old man and his wife should be in a position at this time in their lives where they are collecting checks from employees as opposed to cleaning houses all week long.
House cleaning should be targeted at young employees as opposed to people who are older. Businesses are to be run and nourished.
In summary, work ON your business. Don’t fall into the trap of working IN the business. You’ll grow much quicker if you follow that simple rule.
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Cathy Green is the owner of UpperCrust Maids, LLC, a cleaning company that services high end homes primarily in Washington, DC.
If you own a service business which you'd like to see highlighted, contact Cathy at uppercrustmaids@gmail.com
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