My boss is ………… Humble and Sincere! I am quite fortunate. They are a considerate and open-minded family. I do have a horror story about a former boss ……. In 1991, my mother had been burned in a fire at her home in Palatka, Florida and was flown to Shands Burn Unit in nearby Gainesville. I called my employer, told her of the situation and that I would use my available vacation time. I jumped in my car and drove through the night from South Texas to Gainesville in 19 hours. I remained there for five days. I called my boss to request a leave of absence as Mom clearly was not out of the woods. My request was declined based on the short notice. At the time, both my husband and I had to work. I should have just quit on the spot, but my siblings reassured me that they understood my situation and would keep me posted. I cried all the way home. When I returned to work I was immediatley called into the boss’ office. She had come to the conclusion that I was no longer needed, that they “got by” without me. I had worked there for nearly three years. I asked why she could’nt have told me this over the phone the other day when I called, knowing that I wanted to take a leave of absence………”your mother’s situation is not my problem”. R. Myers, you are hateful and void of a conscience! You will never have my forgiveness, not that it would matter to you! On September 6th of this year, it will be 17 years since Mom was injured. I am thankful each and every day to God, my siblings and the medical staff at Shands Burn Unit for my mother’s survival. Mom is the bravest woman that I’ve ever known. I am proud to be her daughter.

…myself. That can be good, such as in not having to rush into the office for someone else’s time clock. That can be unnerving, too, when I am the one who has to do it all-marketing, making management decisions, spending the company’s money, and deciding which vendors to use. Overall, I cherich being able to do this; I cherish living in this country, where we have the freedom to dream and excerise our minds and monies to do something one has never done before. No one in my family runs his own business. I love serving as the role model for my daughters, who are in their 20s and starting to see that ole Mom is able to do quite a bit!

I became a “boss” for the first time in 2001. I made a commitment to myself that I would utilize my “bad” experience from the past as an employee for the foundation of “what not to do” as a manager. Of the 36 individuals that I’ve managed over the last seven years, I’ve terminated only two. The circumstances were well documented and based only on “their” job performance. It is possible to balance the needs of the business with compassion and integrity.

My boss is me. And I’m a control freak so I don’t get away with much.

I’m my own boss and quite fabulous.