The home business owner is a big part of Stapleton. From realtors, architects, lawyers, sports programs, and technology companies, Stapleton has a tremendous number of small businesses. One of the stresses for these business owners is simply keeping their businesses afloat. But the biggest stress is figuring out when they are going to find time to golf, go to baseball games, have early happy hours with friends, and hike. “It is really hard keeping a schedule,” says local business owner Tom Fisher. “I mean, I’ll have a golf game scheduled, and then all of the sudden, someone calls me and has baseball tickets. It can get pretty overwhelming sometimes.”
These Stapleton business owners have to work to figure out how to fit everything in their schedule. “The nice thing is, I can always simply stay up late to get things done,” says business owner Brenda Ott. “So, if I want to schedule a massage, or have a glass of wine with friends, I can do it, and then make it up on the back end.” These business owners hardly miss working in an office. “Anyone who has worked in an office knows there is nothing to miss about it,” says Fisher. “I mean, shaving in the morning, traffic on the way in, dealing with morons at your office, and then a boss that just wants your butt in a seat. It is possibly the worst way to spend a life. I will never go back.”
Most of the business owners we spoke with agree there is only one positive thing about working in an office: a guaranteed paycheck with taxes already taken out. “Sure, it is stressful when looking at the finances of your business, but I know I will always work through it,” says Ott. “But, I can tell you as a social liberal, I hate paying my taxes every quarter.” Fisher agrees this is a difficult part of the home business. “When I was taxed working for a corporation, I felt like the government was simply taking the corporations money,” says Fisher. “Now, I feel like the government is actual stealing money from me. And as a hardcore democrat, I vote for all tax increases. The whole thing messes with my mind.” After tax season, home business owners look forward to the spring and summer which include more walks, hikes, runs, golf games, baseball games, and outdoor happy hours. The home business owner doesn’t have it all that bad.
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