Before I get into the heart of this episode I wanted to bring up the #ProAct or House Bill 2474 which will kill many value driven businesses across the United States. This bill will up for debate starting on March 8, 2021. Basically, it would kill the ability for people to work at scale as 1099 contractors for businesses. The reason why? The IRS created the ABC test in 1937 to ascertain if someone is an independent contractor. Now, besides being amazed that this test was created in 1937 if you’re a: graphic designer, computer programmer, construction, freelance writer, virtual assistant, wedding planner, hairdresser, accountant, etc. You’re at risk under this bill. It will basically force organizations to hire on people as W-2 employees after a certain work threshold. This is unacceptable. Call your representatives and let them know that you don’t agree with this bill. In my research almost 60 million Americans have earned income via 1099 contractor projects. It’s my view that this bill won’t pass this year but that we need to remain vigilant as components of the bill may become law. Basically, a work test designation from 1937 doesn’t work for a 2021 economy. This isn’t rocket science. Now, I’m excited to share my thoughts about creating a value driven business.
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Show Notes
- At the end of 2014 I boarded a plane and made my way to Hawaii two days after the last day at my old job. I’d quit after 10 years even though most of my colleagues worked for that organization their entire professional lives. In fact, I worked with people who started at the organization when I was born. But, my dissatisfaction with working for a professional organization wasn’t going away.
- For two years prior to quitting I found myself dreaming of my ideal life. I wanted the following:
- Professional autonomy
- I wanted to leverage the strengths that I had been punished for. I love to talk and make connections. In my business, I can do that this skill has grown my income.
- The ability to work with who I wanted to work with
- Work at my self-determined pace
- I currently front load my weeks and work 4 day weeks on average.
- Work from whichever location I happen to be at. That’s why I was in the mountains working from Breckenridge so often prior to COVID
- When I travel I try to stay true to my values. I stay at locally owned businesses, POC or allied spaces if possible with similar missions of service, social equity and sustainability.
- Take vacations that make sense. Two weeks are ridiculous.
- Establishing firm boundaries within the scope of my work, availability and my personal time
- Celebrating holidays that match my actual values here are some examples:
- Claudette Colvin-Interestingly enough the organization that I’ve worked with on a part-time basis this winter is observing her today. Before Rosa Parks, there was Claudette Colvin.
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Julia Greeley-A Black woman from Colorado who is currently being considered for Sainthood
- Cesar Chavez Day-Already observed in Denver
- Cabrini Day-Now observed in Colorado instead of Columbus Day
- Professional autonomy
- Working with other people who are mission driven to uplift and work with underrepresented individuals who would typically not:
- Get the project
- Be recognized for their expertise
- Attract and demand the compensation that they demand
- Wanted to work in a positive energy space vs. fear driven
- When I thought about my values I wanted the freedom to express what I believed. This freedom of expression is a job killer in corporate but a client attractor in entrepreneurship. How do I know?
- I have made more more as I vocalized what I believed. In fact, I didn’t even have to pitch in the past year for projects or coaching clients. They came to me even though I:
- Spoke out against racism
- Said that I supported POC and allied businesses
- Am socially awkward especially after a year of quarantine lockdowns
- Care about the earth
- Basically, like-minded organizations were excited to work with me and my stated purpose and clarity of beliefs made it easier for them to collaborate with them.
- I have made more more as I vocalized what I believed. In fact, I didn’t even have to pitch in the past year for projects or coaching clients. They came to me even though I:
- Why do I bring all of this up? There are so many would be entrepreneurs who are uncomfortable sharing their beliefs and values within their business. If you’re in the beginning stages of thinking about going into business share your beliefs. You will either repel or attract people and that’s fine either way.
- Who you collaborate with and who you’d like to contract with for the following services:
- Food catering
- Graphic design
- Freelancers of all types
- Construction crews
- Virtual assistants and other staff
- It’s 100% possible to design a value driven business and earn money. Starbucks made employee insurance coverage as part of it’s core values. Dan Price lowered his initial wage to $70,000 a year and increased all of his employees’ initial wage to the same. His business, Gravity Payments, is thriving and he continues to be outspoken about his beliefs on social equity issues. I love his Twitter feed. Tyler Perry Studios is a mission driven business and stop talking about those wigs.
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