Maggie Rants [and Raves]

Sometimes the Zebra Is Just in the Wrong Place

by Maggie Franklin | July 21, 2009 | Bookmark +

All this talk about the recession. Let me modify that: All this obsessing over the recession. Who's doing how? Is it bad where you are? When will it get better? Has anyone else had to get a second job? What can I do?

 

Well the thing is, a lot of us aren't doing poorly. But some of us are. And if you're going to keep asking how everyone else is doing, be prepared to hear that not everyone is doing the same.

 

For the most part, I have adopted a "wait and see and you'll have a story to tell when you're old" attitude, but I spend a lot of time coming off as cold and indifferent to the businesses that will fall in the face of the economy. Of course, it's not that simple, but I can't spend all my time worrying.

 

The thing about an economic downturn is that it results in a sort of economic Darwinism. There will be many businesses that don't survive this, and some of those businesses will include some of us. I like to think that most of the nail techs who pack up their toys and seek higher financial ground will be the ones who lack the skills and drive to tough it out, but that's not always the case.

 

Some of our fallen comrades will include techs who were close to retiring anyway and have the financial back-up to throw in the towel. They may simply decide that after 20, 30, 40 years, it's just time to give it up. Or techs who already had a second job and did nails on the side "for fun." Maybe they'll give up their booth rent positions and nails will become just a hobby for them. Maybe they'll be back when brighter weather shows again.

 

But there will be those who are passionate and talented who won't go down easy. Some of us will fight tooth and-- well, tooth, because let's face it, we're not going to break a nail over it, right?-- to save our businesses and stay competitive and solvent till the bitter end. And some of us aren't going to make it. No matter how hard we try. No matter how dedicated we are. No matter how talented or driven.

 

Because, as the BF so simply put it, sometimes the zebra is just in the wrong place at the wrong time. It wasn't the slowest or the oldest or the weakest, it just happened to be the alligator's turn that day.

 

 

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