Not sure it can be called employment, but there IS a pending job opening to discuss.

[Bill Cady]

Sole Proprietor

The term is used to describe the largest number of business-owners in the country. It’s seldom the largest business in any location or field, but the sheer numbers make us what we are. The backbone of our economy.

Way back in the previous century, circa 1977, I began an educational program sponsored by the life insurance industry called LUTC, (Life Underwriters’ Training Council). We called it “Lootsy”. It began in the first year with Personal Planning, Part I. The second year, very appropriately, was called Business Insurance, Part II. There were a few references in Part I, and a great deal was listed in Part II, about the Sole Proprietor. Such a person, man or woman, is the owner-operator of a small business, often so small there are no employees but the owner. When doing business with another company at closer than a customer-vendor relationship such people are often seen as an independent contractor.

One large reason I was able to promote life insurance sales with people in this group was the inherent vulnerability of the sole proprietor. If he or she were to die, the business would, too. Anyone-everyone dependent on the business owner would then suffer an income loss, as well as any services or support. Do without. In short, be screwed to the max.

Most would prefer not to think about it, using the “ostrich theory” to resolve the problem. It’s only when that “problem” jumps on the survivors of that proprietor like a pack of ravenous wolves that people pay attention to it. The event creates an “oh, boo-hoo” moment and all the witnesses begin distancing themselves from the newly needy unfunded heirs.

The sole proprietor becomes a source to be depended on when the initial operation begins to generate a profit. From that point the gains will customarily grow, often to the level where the proprietor and his-her dependents may even become wealthy. Still, without a funded plan to replace that income and-or services, it all comes to an end at the death or permanent disability of the producer. It’s an absolute tragedy.

Offsetting the abysmal gap with life insurance effectively establishes the same thing as the buy-sell agreement of a partnership or a major shareholder in a corporation. A monster snafu pops up when the proprietor is uninsurable, or refuses to get the insurance. Passing it up is the same as being unable to get it.  Devastation at the “major screw-over” level.

That’s what faces my new “dependents”. The homeless. These last two-plus years I’ve been a mainstay for some of us and am trying diligently to be more than that to a much larger number. I’ll always be a homeless guy as long as there are legal Americans without a roof, a bed and food to eat. Now that I’ve been told death will overtake me soon, the urgency is even that much more increased.

A substantial amount of money these past few years, beginning while I was still homeless, has been paid over by me to individual homeless guys. In excess of 80% of the money I’ve earned from selling my novels has gone to the homeless. It was, and still is, my intention to sell all my books and use that same percentage of the money received for the homeless. The major complication at this point is whether or not 22+ years of writing, along with 22+ years of my inability to find a competent literary agent, will ever make the dream happen. The answer is known only to Him, so you can do nothing but pray for it.

Either way, if there’s anyone reading these blog posts interested in being a part of it after I’m gone, the homeless are going to need you. Make yourself known to me and we’ll see if we can make it happen.

I’m just sayin’.

If you like these blog posts, subscribe here. You’ll also get a free copy of my novel, “The Shimmering Image”. The rest of my novels are here. You’ll be helping the 3,500,000 homeless in our country. Ad revenues from this site go to help the homeless community. To see what’s coming next, click here.

[Bill Cady]

My humble words of appreciation don't approach the gratitude I feel for those kind words. Thank you.

 

Bill

[Jacquie Schmall]

It goes against every instinct to "like" a story which discusses the homeless,  as well as the author's death. Somehow, praise is meant to bestow on happier themes. However, when Bill shares stories of his life, including a long episode of being homeless, we are compelled to join him, to react to what he reacted to, to comprehend what doing some things the hard way may offer.

To share their life story, some writers grab life, and shake it like a playful dog, extracting only controversy. Bill uses this technique sometimes, however, it is always accompanied by a biting sense of humor, and sarcasm sometimes used to tarnish his own image. To handle this material so deftly, is no small feat, and Bill is an expert.

He has surely earned this award

 

Congratulations my friend. I don't often comment after reading your blogs, but rest assured, I admire your courage to survive, and know the harsh journey you have taken has not been in vain.

))_^^((Warm regards, Jacquie Schmall