The Start

What better time to start this endeavor than on the eve of a historic inauguration? By now, my situation is but one of many "statistics" in the current economic mess. A small business in the home building subcontractor sector that after 30 years of mostly prosperous dealings has been driven out of business after being squeezed dry between the home builders who stopped paying and the creditors that wanted their money.

I was the HR Manager and found myself the mouthpiece of this news for a large portion of the employee base on September 30, 2008. My check was the last one in the stack, so I packed my box once I had ushered so many others out the door that day. With only 24 hours notice, there was little preparation and support for these employees, many of whom received these words with an almost anti-climatic "I knew this day would arrive" blasé look while others reacted with incredible shock.

At first, the time off was rewarding, healing even. I worked with several of the administrative staff to write resumes in preparation for their job searches. As the holidays fast approached, a bit uncomfortable at the lack of action in the market. I was offered an HR Manager position in the insurance field only to have the economy (poor Q4 earnings) erase this position from the budget. By now, I've realized that I need to take destiny by the hand and start leading rather than continuing to dwell in the assumption that the traditional job market will swoop in to save me yet again. So here I begin, establishing a blog, forming an LLC to operate under and off we go. (I say "we" in hopes that a few souls with too much time on their hands will come along with me!)

While I think that our new president will help bring balance and optimism to our country, I also believe that recovery is still a ways off. I'm hoping that by taking an active role in my future, I can use these down times to make a difference for those in the community who have also been displaced from their employment and to use my expertise to partner with small businesses that need direction and assistance in the Human Resources realm. I plan to share some of these endeavors through this blog and introduce you to some of the individuals that I partner with and others I meet along the way.

Here's hoping for a brighter tomorrow.................