The Case of White Mountain Creamery
Being tax time, I’m reminded of a piece of sage advice I’ve acquired along the way that I’ll share with you. At one time many years ago, there was an ice cream parlor in my town called “White Mountain Creamery”. It made some of the best ice cream I ever tasted and was always packed with people. By all outward appearances it was a thriving small business. Until one day, that is, when it closed without warning.
I always wondered what happened behind the scenes. Was it the sudden death of the owner who lacked a buy/sell agreement? Was it a lease renewal negotiation that soured? But if that was the case, why didn’t the business move and reopen at a new location? What would cause a seemingly very successful business to shutter “overnight”?
I came to learn it was simply a matter of too much money going out and not enough money coming in. And it simply doesn’t matter how much you’re earning, whether it’s $30,000 a year or $30,000 a month. It’s not what you make, it’s what you keep.
So remember the lesson of White Mountain Creamery whether you’re evaluating new business opportunities or simply living your life. It’ll never let you down.