All stories start with: Once upon a time ... , and end with : He was a good person! Between these two ends, the beginning and the end of the story, there is a whole life.
In this column, I simply want to tell the story of many entrepreneurs, inventors, franchisors, promoters and all those who have believed in themselves, believed in their dreams and succeeded in selling their ideas. We call them entrepreneurs. It is likely that many of you will recognize yourselves.
Quebec is full of them. We are, it seems, a hive of entrepreneurs and, in these times when scandals and claims of all kinds lead one to believe that being successful is synonymous with "thieving", I would like to look at it from the other side.
As far as our Quebec entrepreneurs are concerned, we must always remember that behind every successful business, there is a salesperson who has been around for a long time before anyone heard of him or her and who has become, through the strength of his or her dream, a job creator.
Genesis of a company
It all starts with the DESIRE to do something. An idea germinates in the mind of the entrepreneur. He works on his concept for months. Little by little, he develops it. Finally he decides to take action and start his business. He starts modestly, often in his house or garage and working two jobs. He insecures his family by taking financial risks. He works long hours. He doesn't take a salary for months. It's starting to take shape. It's fun. His neighbours and friends, among themselves, often express doubts about whether his business will work. The time to expand comes. He has to go and sell his idea, often grovelling, to a haughty banker who hasn't done a quarter of what the entrepreneur had to do to get there. He will be turned down. He'll go to two, three, four. He'll finally get a small loan, but not without mortgaging his house, putting up his shirt and panties as collateral and getting a signature from someone close to him. If he's persistent and works hard, it'll work out. He'll start needing backup. He'll put an ad in the paper and on the web. He needs two employees. He'll treat them like he would treat his family members. He'll start taking a small salary, often half of what he gives his employees. It will continue to grow. Two, four, ten, twenty, thirty-seven employees. People who are happy to find a job that allows them to feel good about themselves, to earn a living with dignity and to provide a little comfort for their families. All thanks to the entrepreneur's dream. Business is booming. He can trade in his old Caravan for a new one. But, oops, he's in for a rough patch. He's just lost a big customer. He has to borrow again. That's okay, the dream takes over, you roll up your sleeves and work harder. Business is booming again. The number of employees increases again, but the atmosphere of a family business is more difficult to maintain. He begins to enjoy the fruits of his labour and to reward himself for the many risks he has taken. He is proud of himself and wants to show it. He starts to travel a bit, expands his house, buys a nice pool table, a Miata for his spouse and business partner and the Volvo of his dreams for himself.
That's when things start to change. Those who have not seen him toil away and now see him driving a Volvo say, "Look at the rich, the lucky, the thief". With the family spirit still crumbling due to the large number of employees, some people start to find him arrogant. People start to use the term 'the employer' when talking about him. You become so-so. It's not fair. He's successful. He must have cheated somewhere and exploited people. Then, at some point, the tax guys are going to show up at his house. He who, in three years, thanks to his dream, got thirty-seven unemployed people off the government's back, forgot to deduct the mileage he did when he drove his kids to soccer in his old Caravan and the personal use he made of his company's mobile phone. He is surely a crook and a profiteer for doing this. But, in spite of everything, he will continue to fight and go for it because he is an "entrepreneur" and all these little inconveniences weigh very little in the balance if he compares them to the great satisfaction he has in building his business and creating jobs.
This is the story of tens of thousands of Quebec entrepreneurs. I would like to congratulate all of you who recognize yourselves in this story for your efforts and your tenacity. THANK YOU for the jobs you create!
Guy Bourgeois is speaker-trainer and President of Formax (gbourgeois@formax.qc.ca). For training and conferences: 1-800-361-0666 www.guybourgeois.com