Being Your Own Boss

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Created on Tuesday, 10 February 2015 17:51

Written by JJ Murphy

AROUND THE NEK- According to the Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy, Vermont is home to nearly 80 thousand small businesses.  Meaning most of the 96 percent of the states workforce are their own bosses. 

Starting your own business can be a challenge, but it is a challenge most Vermonter's seem to undertake.Sam Sanderson, of East Burke, has been self-employed making wooden bowls for the last 13 years. Sanderson talked about what he believes owning your own business entails, "We just kept poking along and here we are. We are learning today. You are going to struggle. You just got to get known." 

In addition to making wooden bowls, Sanderson also raises and sells donkeys.  He explains that the little extra income always helps. While it also helps brings him a "little peace."

As of 2010 small businesses in Vermont employed around 157,720 workers.  Most small businesses have fewer then 20 employees, while 76 percent of them have no payroll.

Being your own boss gives many people freedom they have never experienced before.  Kim Crady'Smith, who owns the Green Mountain bookstore in Lyndonville, can't imagine working for someone else.  "I don't want to give up on owning my own business. If something happened to the bookstore, I would probably try to find another business that I could open and run."