u/cloudwatcher31

Let me set the scene:

You started a business that’s been not doing great, you are near retirement, maybe within a few years. Ten top. but want to make the business work. This is a business you don’t have much experience in, but haven’t found good help. You finally found someone who has knowledge and drive and can basically run the entire shop, doing most of everything so all you have to do is observe and accounting. They handle 90% of everything and are doing the work of at least 3 people you don’t have to hire with them doing it all. The profits are beginning to show, after 5 years the numbers are green and by all accounts will continue to grow. You get excited. Start trying to get all the profit you possibly can, it’s been so long since you’ve seen green.

They get another job offer for more. Fuck. They want more control, input, and profit sharing. They like the job but don’t see immediate benefits with all they are doing. They don’t want to leave. They are making $62,00 a year currently. No commission on anything they have brought in. If they leave, the chances of the business failing completely are high. All you have put in is lost.

What do you offer? Do you let them leave?

I stared working for a small business as a freelancer while I was working a full time job. I’ve known the owner for some years before this just as an acquaintance. They ended up needing a lot more help (all the other employee quit) so I became part time on top of my full time job. It became very obvious the owner is not very knowledgeable in this area of business, but I am. He hired two other people, one completely new to the industry and learning (he’s doing great honestly) and another who is…eh. I ended up leaving my other job (I hated it) and went there full time. I have been doing…everything. I am doing the job of at least 3 people in a normal shop like this, and I’ve become the sole problem solver, person to go to, the one that has to make sure everything is done right etc. I’m making, okay money it’s the same as I was making at the other job and there’s also no benefits (or very little) 5 days pto after a year, no health insurance etc. I was also doing 1/3rd the work before so it’s a lot more effort and brain power.

I like the owner and my job, but I worry about the stability of it(he’s older and should retire soon) and since I’ve started this is the first time this place has been on track to get a profit, all from my knowledge and effort. It’s been in business 5 years and never has. He took a chance on me and has paid me far more then he would have typically, while also giving me flexibility. I kind of have him over a barrel. I know, if I leave, he may just shut it down which would put my two coworkers out of a job. Without me, there is no one there who could do it, and that’s been the problem from the beginning there and why he hasn’t done well. Me working there has turned it around, and it should continue to improve.

Now, here is why I feel like an asshole. Without really seeking it out, I got a job offer somewhere else making more, with benefit, fully remote, and it’s a stable company and it’s 1/3 the work. I was looking for some extra work on the side not a full time position for some extra $. I want to take it, it’s the perfect job for me and what I have been searching for before this. But, what about these people I actually like, that are kinda depending on me?

I feel like I’m backstabbing them and a huge asshole. Even if the owner offered me more money I still worry about long term, how long will last and I know my wage will purely depend on my effort to make it worth it. I’m afraid I’m going to burn out, and fail regardless.

I could stay and put my full ass into it and then maybe completely taking over the business once he retires.

It hasn’t been explicitly stated but implied that was the goal. It has potential to become much more but not a guarantee. I also don’t know if I want to run it totally, I have no experience running a business. I also don’t know if I want that stress.

Or I can do an easier job for more, with less risk. Maybe some advancement, but I don’t know yet.

I want to take it, and then offer to continue to work for him as much as a can still, like I did before working another full time job. I’m not sure how he will react or if he would be willing to do that.