Working half days: a salute to entrepreneurs

By Tim Eberhart, executive director
Rainsville Chamber of Commerce
Newspaper column for the Times-Journal - March 19, 2010 edition

Even though he never graduated, Kemmons Wilson, who founded the Holiday Inn corporation in Memphis in the 1950s, was asked one year to give the commencement speech at his old high school.

“I really don’t know why I’m here,” Wilson said. “I never got a diploma, and I’ve only worked half days my entire life. I guess that’s my advice to you”, he continued. “Work half days every day. And it doesn’t matter which half, the first half or the second half.”

I would like to salute a group of people who know all about working half days. Typically, they work the 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. half, but that’s usually just their base schedule. Among entrepreneur types, the 60 to 70 hour work week is the norm.

Of the 124 businesses that are members of our Chamber, about 100 of them are owned and operated by the businesses’ founders and their families. Many others are led by dedicated managers who work, and work, and work as if they own the place.

And that’s just Rainsville. There are hundreds of other entrepreneurs and managers working half days around DeKalb County. They all deserve a round of applause, a bonus, a paid holiday, or something.

I know one entrepreneur who asks his accountant every Friday morning if there is enough money to make payroll. As he signs checks, he also asks if he will be getting a check himself. For the former, they always find a way. For the latter, it’s hit and miss, especially during this prolonged economic downturn we are experiencing.

I say all this to say “thank you” to the entrepreneurs and business managers of DeKalb County. Without your sacrifice and dedication to your communities and families, our local economies would be sunk.

As an advocate for local businesses, I wish I could give them all what they really need: more paying customers. Wouldn’t it be great if more people would find a local business to meet their needs instead of shopping in other counties or states, or online, to save a few nickels and dimes?

I’ll be working over one fourth of a day on Saturday (9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.) while I man the Chamber’s booth at the 27th Annual Northeast Alabama Home & Garden Show. Drop by to say “hello” and register to win one of four $50 Chamber Dough certificates. Or come to the show on Sunday from noon until 4:00 p.m. There will be a ton of other door prizes, and over 70 exhibits to peruse.

Contact info

Rainsville Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 396; Rainsville, AL 35986

115 Main Street West
PHONE: 256-638-7800