Ask LAURIE
Advice
Column
Photography by:
Robert Hayman
Styling: Hair Design
by Avant Garde
Fashion:
Petunias of Naples
Dear Laurie, I started a small business with my sister 5 years ago that
has since become quite successful. As the business has grown, so has
the workload. This past year, my sister went through a divorce and had
other personal issues. Needless to say, she does the bare minimum to
get by at work. The business is my passion and I feel that now she is
only thinking of the paycheck. I love my sister and she is my best friend,
but I'm not sure how much longer I can pick up her slack without going
insane. Can you suggest some ideas towards resolution?
- Punching Out
Dear Punching Out,
Congratulations on the success of your business! I'm sorry that you're
going through these issues with your sister. During this challenging time in
your sister's life, it's comforting for her to know that she can rely on you for
love and compassion! At the same time, it's important that you take care
of yourself too. I suggest having a heart-felt conversation with her to share
your concerns and to give her an opportunity to respond.
Before this talk, be very clear within yourself on what your intention is.
Ask yourself questions such as: Are you able to run this business without
your sister? Are you afraid that her lack of interest in the company may
affect your bottom line? Are you afraid that you will get burned out doing
the majority of the work alone? If the roles were reversed, how would you
want her to handle the situation?
Now, let's look at some options. Can you adjust your sister's financial
compensation since she is doing less? Can you afford to hire someone
else to pick-up the slack? Another option is to offer to buy your sister out
of her share of the business. Once you are clear on how you feel and are
prepared to present a few different options, I suggest saying a prayer that
this conversation will be peaceful, honest and fruitful.
Once you sit down to talk, make it clear that your intention is to come to
a solution that is fair to both of you. Tell her that you love her very much
and understand that she's been going through a very challenging time in
her life. Share how much you've enjoyed building the business with her
and how much you appreciate all that she's done to create this successful
endeavor. Communicate that you're afraid that the profits and your per-
sonal life will suffer because you are overwhelmed. You are choosing not
to continue working this hard anymore.
Give your sister the opportunity to express herself and what her inten-
tions are for moving forward. Maybe as a result of this conversation, she
will have a change in focus and spend more time devoted to work. If you
don't already have a legal partnership contract, now is the time to create
one together. The contract will more clearly define each person's roles and
responsibilities. Your intention is to seek resolution, so hold that vision!
Laurie Martin is the author of Smile Across Your Heart, the host of
Smile Across Your Heart radio show, and is a certified life coach,
motivational speaker, workshop facilitator and yoga teacher.
To contact Laurie directly, please call (239) 398-5979
or email
LaurieM@SmileAcrossYourHeart.com
Access past radio shows online:
SmileAcrossYourHeart.com/blog/radio
Email Questions to
pulsenaples@gmail.com
PULSE MAGAZINE ---------- 66
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76