A Shoutout to the Self-Employed

Posted Dec 13, 2024 – “Y’all, I’m fixin’ to give a big ol’ shoutout to the self-employed folks out there. Jeff Foxworthy hit the nail square on the head this mornin’: ‘To successfully be a self-employed business owner, you have to be comfortable with a level of stress that would destroy most people.’ Amen to that, brother! I’ve been there, done that, and got the T-shirt. And I’m not alone. I’ve known farmers who’ve worked from dawn till dusk, 7 days a week, just to make ends meet. And then had to take on a second job to boot. That’s just plain ol’ grit.

There’s times I swear I’ve aged ten years in one, especially when the money’s tighter than a tick on a turnip. I’ve worked more side hustles than a one-armed paperhanger just to keep things afloat. And don’t even get me started on the farmers I know. They face down droughts, floods, and more plagues than Moses just to put food on our tables.

But you know what? These folks, they’re cut from a different cloth. They got more grit than a Georgia dirt road and more heart than a Waffle House on Valentine’s Day. They’re the backbone of this country, by gum, and I ain’t afraid to say it.

Do you know who really puts it all into perspective? John Jacob Astor IV and Isidor Straus. These two gentlemen were on the Titanic, and when it came time to abandon ship, they gave up their seats on the lifeboats. That’s right, folks. These wealthy businessmen, who could’ve easily saved themselves, chose to go down with the ship instead. That’s the kinda selflessness I’m talkin’ about. That’s the same spirit I see in every small business owner and farmer I know.

Now, I know what you’re thinkin’: what kinda person does that? These ain’t just people workin’ for a paycheck, folks. They’re the ones who’ll work their fingers to the bone all day at their shop, then pull a night shift somewhere else just to keep their dream alive. They’re the farmers who watch their crops wither in a drought but still get up at dawn to try again. Well, let me tell you. It’s the same kinda person who’ll work 18 hours a day, 7 days a week, just to build a better life for their family. It’s the same kinda person who’ll take a risk and invest everything they have into a business, just to chase their dreams. It’s the same kinda person who’ll persevere through tough times, through failures, and through setbacks.

What makes ’em different? Well, I’ll tell you:

– They got grit thicker than Georgia red clay

– They understand that “can’t” ain’t in the American dictionary

– They know their word and a handshake still mean somethin’

– They put their families, employees, and communities before themselves

Just like them gentlemen on the Titanic, today’s self-employed folks are the backbone of America. They ain’t in it for the glory – they’re in it because it’s who they are, plain and simple. These self-employed folks are the backbone of our nation, y’all. They’re the ones who create jobs, who innovate, and who push our economy forward. And they do it all with a level of stress that would destroy most people.

So here’s to the self-employed: thank you for your hard work, your dedication, and your selflessness. May you continue to thrive, to persevere, and to be the backbone of our great nation.

And to my fellow self-employed friends, let me leave you with this: we may not have the luxury of a steady paycheck or a fancy benefits package, but we’ve got something that no one can ever take away: our freedom. We’re free to chase our dreams, to build our own empires, and to live life on our own terms. So let’s keep on keepin’ on, y’all. We got this!”

Let’s raise our glasses of sweet tea and cheer for these resilient souls who refuse to let the Titanic storms of life sink their boats!

So next time you walk into a family-owned store or buy from your local farmer’s market, remember: you’re looking at modern-day heroes, folks who’d probably give you the shirt off their back even while wondering how to make next month’s rent.

God bless ’em every one.

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