Thursday, April 30, 2009

Something New

It seems to hold true that, when one door closes, another one opens! 

We are opening a new business!! CJ and I have been working on our business plan and cash flow forecasts for the past month for our new venture called "Color Blenz". We will be doing automotive paint repairs such as chip and scratch retouching, bumper blends and then, in a few months, expanding into detailing.

We have finished the plans and applied for funding through Community Futures. We were told a week ago that we had been approved and now we are just waiting for the paperwork to be finalized so we can go sign the papers.

We have found shop space and have been doing what needs done there in order to obtain our "occupancy permit". Thankfully, there was not much - just a small bit of plumbing, replacing several electrical outlets and installing fire extinguishers. As soon as the plumber is done tomorrow, we can ask for our final inspection, get the permit and then our business licence.

I am really looking forward to this! 

Thursday, April 9, 2009

A Rant on Unfair Employment Practices

You may (or may not) have wondered what happened to me, where I have been for the past weeks since my last post. I had accepted a job that was supposed to be part-time but turned out to be full-time and more in the scope of work that was expected of me.

The only problem was, I was on salary and was only paid for the time stated in the original agreement at part-time wages even though these people told me verbally that I would be paid extra for the first few months to get things caught up and back on track. I was putting in 8 hours or more monday thru friday, worked thru numerous weekends as well and never saw any extra for my trouble.  I was earning substantially less than minimum wage. In the month of March, I worked 187 hours that I reported to the company. I had to submit a daily work log stating what I had done and the number of hours I worked. They knew exactly the time I put in. 

There still seem to be those unscrupulous people around who will take advantage of others without loosing any sleep at night over it and rubbing their hands together all the way to the bank with the money they ripped off of you. 

Above all, I dispise being used. I am thankful that I am no longer working there although there are tenants there who befriended me that I will miss. Many have called to express their disbelief at what has transpired. 

I do believe in Karma - and their turn will come. Am I bitter? Yes, but I will get over it and remember well the lesson learned.