My business’s
name is Sweetly Divine, and just like many businesses in America, we hire
people to help us get the product to the public. We are a small business and we
are always looking to get the best price for our customers. We understand that the pay we offer is not a
salary you can build your life on, but rather is a transitional job, where
mostly college kids will work or someone who is going through some hard times.
We currently have three
employees, and if I would be forced to raise the minimum wage to $9 I would
have to lay off two of them and work additional hours myself. This would slow
the growth of my business.
When the business grows and I
am able to pay people more, I do so according to their skills and desire to work.
Over the years I have had many
employees. At one point I had nine people working for me. One employee started
as a dishwasher, but was able to advance to a manager. The business grew and
increased in sales, and it was exciting to be able to provide my employees the
opportunity to advance in the company. Not only was I able to help the
community by providing jobs, but I was able to spend quality time with my own
family. However, because of the economy's downfall, I was forced to lay off
many people. Now I work 16 or more hours a day, and don't get as much time with
my family as I would like. If the wage were to increase to $9 an hour, I would
be left with no other option than to lay off the few employees I do have. I
wouldn't feel like I was benefitting the community, because I would
not be able to provide employment. I
want to provide jobs. I want to be a source of hope for high school and college
students, those temporarily unemployed, and anyone else who needs a job. But if
the pay were to increase, there's no way I could provide that.
