When Will started to think about having his own business, it was 1983 and he was only 23 years old. He officially created JKS in March of 1984, which means that we will be celebrating 40 years of being in business in the coming year. It is a major milestone and one we plan to celebrate all year long!
Will and I are small business owners and are very proud of the businesses we have built. As any other small business owner will tell you, being in business for yourself is no easy task. It is a seven-day commitment, not a five-day “nine-to-five” where you get to leave your work at work. It is a commitment that not everyone is capable of.
And you might just ask, “If it is that hard, why would anyone be in business for themselves?” I can promise you, I ask myself that question sometimes like any other business owner. But, when I do ask myself, the answer is always very clear. The reward you get as a small business owner is the sense of accomplishment in building your own business, the relationships you develop with your clients, and the team you surround yourself with.
As I move into my fifth year of being president of JKS Incorporated I am able to reflect on what all I’ve learned in a short amount of time, and it’s quite a lot! I am most grateful for the experience and how much I have grown professionally and personally.
One of the most important things I have learned is this—a small business does not get to celebrate 40 years without integrity, honesty, tenaciousness and a great team behind it!