by Teresa Thomas
I've been with Sisarina for 3 years now.
In the grand scheme of things, that's not very long, I know. In the life of a brand new small business, however, it's practically a lifetime. In fact, for many small businesses it IS the entire lifetime. I've seen Sisarina grow and change and expand and mature. I've been here through panic and through jubilation, through uncertainty and expectation.
I could tell you all about the difference in work-load and financial stability, but my favorite example comes from our hiring policy.
When we open a position here at Sisarina HQ, we ask 4 questions:
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Why are you perfect for the job?
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What experience do you have pertaining to the job?
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What do you offer our office vibe?
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What is your super power?
The questions I was asked when I was hired were quite different:
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Can you use a computer?
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Do you have an extra 10 hours a week?
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Are you willing to work for Sisarina?
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How much do I pay you?
I often find myself trying to explain the differences between "now and then". Being able to have that perspective is, I feel, the greatest benefit to hanging on with a small business when things are uncertain. When things are good, you know just how good they really are.
There are other good points to sticking around:
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Seeing leadership take a company through lean times makes it easy to trust that things will continue to grow. When lofty goals are set, they seem totally attainable.
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Being around for the growing pains also earns you a place of trust. I was here when things were crazy and we had to work our butts off. When we take a next step, I'll still be here working my butt off. That's earned me the right to help set some of those lofty goals I mentioned before and to take on more and more responsibility.
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One of my favorite benefits of longevity is knowing all the players. I know all our clients (even the ones we haven't heard from in years), I know all our vendors, I know our tweetup folks and the bar managers at most of the places we've hosted Tweetups. And, even more fun, most of those folks know ME.
Most of all,
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I get to feel like I'm a true part of this company. It's my "baby" too. I'm that aunt who lives next door and gets to help raise her niece. I get to revel in success and fret over stumbles.
Was it always easy? No way!
Was it worth it? Yes.
Every. Single. Minute.
And I am SO EXCITED about the next 10 years! And the 10 after that!
