Page 73 - Senior Link Magazine Winter 2020- Lubbock Online Magazine

HONORING SENIORS
A SMALL

BUSINESS

Testimony

by Barbara Mandry Inspiration

I business owners were often wisdom and experience of
grew up in a small
business supported family.
seen as impatient over-
role models and mentors also
My father, grandfather,
When we first opened our
uncles, and cousins were all achievers, driven to please, contributed to our success.
incessantly busy – and small,
small business owners. My but loud. Fortunately, no one business (Tom Mandry
husband and I ran a “mom- questioned our work ethic. Electric), our fathers often
and-pop” business for almost We loved to work hard. sowed business advice and
40 years. And today our counsel into us. They warned
children and grandchildren Small business ownership us of pitfalls, like allowing
are small business owners requires courage. It is risky. our liabilities to outweigh our
too. It’s in our blood. Five Statistics confirm it. 95% of assets. Other senior business
generations of small business small businesses fail within leaders in our community
owners provided for their the first five years. Small shared their experiences
families and contributed business owners are also and wisdom with us. Small
to the growth of our local risk-takers. However, I prefer businesses and seniors
economies. thinking of us as confident, are mutually beneficial, a
courageous leaders, rather successful partnership.
Although small business than loud, bossy risk-takers.
ownership runs in our Small business is the heartbeat
family, we did have some Most of all, we are thankful. of the local community.
family members employed God blessed us in business Supporting it now, especially
in education, government, through His faithfulness in this COVID-19 season,
medicine, and big business. during prosperity and keeps it alive. For some it is
The differences between recessions. We credit God’s a family affair offering the
them and us were obvious. provision and Godly Wisdom opportunity to independently
We small business owners from His Word for our determine one’s work
were sometimes perceived overall success. Principles environment and economic
as “bossy.” We were the like sowing and reaping, wise destiny. For us, owning and
independent thinkers who investing, good stewardship, operating a small business
frequently told other family financial freedom and provided years of fulfillment
members what to do. After all, “doing unto others” kept our and meaningful relationship-
the main reason individuals business viable. We learned building with family and
start businesses is because the value of under-promising community. There is nothing
they want to be their own and over-delivering. Our “small” about running a
boss. thanks also extends to the small business. It requires big
loyal and supportive residents courage, big work ethics, and
The “Chihuahua Factor” was of Lubbock and the South very big faith. We thank God
also an attribute of several Plains. We love Lubbock! for all of His big provisions.
family entrepreneurs. Like
that cute little breed of Finally, my husband, Tom,
hyperactive dog, some family and I would both agree – the

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CONTACT AMY COX FOR ALL OF YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS
www.amyloveslubbock.com | 806.543.6095 | amy@amyloveslubbock.com

Lubbock Senior Link 73