Self
employment came to me more as default than intent. Working in the field
of Human Resources for over 15 years, I had the opportunity to experience
the rapid growth of a high tech company during its boom years through to
its unexpected downsizing. I was involved with a wide variety of human
resource aspects including worldwide recruiting, benefits
administration, salary administration and employment equity. After the
closure of this organization I joined a small start up company and was
involved in everything from product packaging to customer support. After
a restructuring, I took on the task of running the operation as an
on-line marketing company from my home where I provide in-house sales,
customer service and technical support. I also contract as the program
co-ordinator with Global Infobrokers Inc.
I
had the opportunity to experience different management styles and
working relationships within a wide variety of environments, from the
old school system of law firms to the free-style management of a growing
high tech company with the average employee age of 22. When I moved to
the small start up company, I experienced major culture shock because
there wasn’t a specific "department" to handle things…you
had to just dive in and figure it out. One day you were side-by-side
with the company president packing product and shipping, struggling to
get an order out, and the next day you were expected to appear on
television for an Infomercial.
Small
business definitely means that you wear a number of hats every day and
you are not always certain which one is on top! As long as I have at
least one hat on, I know I am okay.
