Reidsville, N.C. -- The chance to be your own boss sounds like a dream to many of us: No one to answer to. Set your own hours. Keep all the money you make. You're in control.
But, if you're not careful, your small business can go bust before you know it.
Tish Terry, a Reidsville woman, launched a business in her father's basement thirty-two years ago. Now, it's a nationwide success.
It started after she got laid off from her job and decided to take a risk. She and her dad created, "Tree Enterprises" in his basement.
She still runs the business out of that basement, but she's planning to move out next year into her own building after 32 years. Having that kind of patience is just one of her keys to success.
Terry lives by a simple motto she read on a fortune cookie: "Always over-deliver and under-promise."
"Try to do your very best for most of your customers and know when to say you can't. You can't stretch yourself too thin," Terry said.
She realized there was a market for children's rest mats and sheets and baby bibs. So, she launched a business.
"I'm the janitor. I sweep the floors. I clean. I cut. I go out in the bad weather and bring things in. I deliver. Paperwork. I do it all...I'm not a control freak, but I do know what I want," Terry said.
That personal touch is woven into the fabric of her business.
"I don't want anybody to ever call me and say, 'I don't like this' or 'It's poor quality...This will keep you honest when you're the person who answers the phone. When you are the sole contact with your customer. If they have a problem with your product, you are responsible for it," Terry said.
Tish says being your own boss is actually more stressful than working for someone else.
"This is a 24-hour a day job. I'm never not thinking about my work...I breathe down my own neck. I think most successful small business people breathe down their own necks. 24/7," she said.
Owning a small business creates a lot of personal pressure, but Tish says the pride her products bring her is far greater.
Tish just bought a new building to expand her business and finally move out of her dad's basement. Plus, she also launched a new website this week as well: www.treeenterprises.com
The Rockingham County Business and Technology Center Executive Director, Mark Wells, says right now is actually a great time to start a new business.
"As long as you have the skills necessary and enough funding, I think it's a fantastic time to start a new business because a lot of people are retracting and holding everything tightly and not doing anything which leaves a wide market available for people to come in and enter," Wells said.
Even though it's a good time to start a new business, Wells says you need to have a plan. Also, remember, just because you're good at something doesn't mean you can run a business.
In other words, just because you take great pictures doesn't necessarily mean you'd be a great professional photographer.
WFMY News 2