Elaine Mantyka
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 coordinator 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.