No Bondage

The Ten Commandments for Business: Commandment Eight

2022-09-24T14:19:54-05:00October 26th, 2022|Tags: , , |

In this series, we’re pondering the Ten Commandments. The eighth commandment is one that is frequently violated in the workplace.  Matter of fact, I’m embarrassed to say that it is one of the commandments that I violated on multiple occasions as a teenager. There is no way to sugar coat it, I was a thief.  While working at a department ...

The Path to 80%: Part 1

2022-03-18T12:18:49-05:00January 24th, 2022|Tags: , , , |

Recently, Terry Looper, CEO of Texon, shared with me about his early years in business. His drive for success resulted in working tireless hours. Exhausted and broken he eventually turned to God for help. Through that experience, he made a commitment to only work 40 hours a week. To grow what became a $6 billion business working only 40 hours ...

Shaken Confidence

2022-02-19T13:05:41-06:00December 1st, 2021|Tags: , , , |

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes started this season proclaiming that the Kansas City Chiefs would be completely undefeated. It didn’t take long before that dream was shattered. As defeat after defeat happened, Mahomes seemed to struggle on and off the field. His confidence seemed shaken as well. Fortunately, Mahomes regained his confidence against the Las Vegas Raiders, miraculously moving from last place ...

A Black Friday Shift

2022-02-19T12:45:06-06:00November 26th, 2021|Tags: , , , , |

For decades, retail stores counted heavily on Black Friday to meet their annual sales goals, especially small independent retailers. Covid, however, upended that long time business strategy. In 2020, according to the Washington Post, in-store shopping fell 37 percent on Black Friday from 2019. Although many might hope that Black Friday will return to normal, this is unlikely. Independent retailers ...

Fear Abounds

2022-01-01T15:10:06-06:00November 5th, 2021|Tags: , , , |

A young man recently called, desperately seeking any job that wouldn’t require him to be vaccinated. On the same day, Kathy and I spent time with a couple who refused to eat or drink at an event because it would require them to pull down their masks. The common denominator is fear. One is afraid of the vaccination, the other ...

Small Business Startup: Tip Number 5

2021-10-18T14:20:49-05:00September 17th, 2021|Tags: , , , |

One of the biggest reasons for business failure is due to being undercapitalized. Starting a business almost always costs more than expected. Starting a business usually costs more than many entrepreneurs have in available cash. This typically leads to the entrepreneur trying to borrow significant sums of money, often requiring more trust in the lender than in God’s provision. I’ve ...

The Power of Forgiveness

2021-11-17T14:00:11-06:00August 23rd, 2021|Tags: , , , |

Pastor Joe was surprised when the bank informed him that his bookkeeper was stealing money from the church. The bookkeeper was a recent widow struggling financially. When confronted with her crime, the Church’s bookkeeper was devastated with regret. She quickly agreed to a repayment plan. At great sacrifice, every month she made payments to repay the debt. Eventually the elders ...

Inflation Proofing Your Business: Part V

2022-04-22T20:39:28-05:00June 11th, 2021|Tags: , , |

In this series, we’re discussing how to inflation proof your business. With interest rates at all-time lows, company debt has surged. If inflation begins to rise, your debt could begin costing you significantly more when the Federal Reserve begins fighting inflation with higher interest rates. My very first, and last, small business loan was at 18% interest. That experience taught ...

Business Proverbs: Day 7 – Dodging Workplace Temptations

2022-04-24T17:24:42-05:00May 7th, 2021|Tags: , , |

While in college, I worked as a night custodian at an elementary school, where I became acquainted with Jim, the daytime custodian. I was surprised to learn Jim had previously built a very successful business and family, until his secretary began flirting with him. He eventually succumbed to the temptation and had an affair. Jim’s wife divorced him and gained ...

Stock Market Populism

2022-05-12T19:10:27-05:00March 1st, 2021|Tags: , , |

In one month’s time, Gamestop’s stock price went from $18 a share to over $340 at its peak. The price soared despite their revenue and profits being in decline. The stock price was driven up by a tribe of online small investors who decided to stand against the large hedge funds. Although Wall Street took notice, long-term, the true value ...

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