Small Business Boomers

Danger - The Power of Money

by jim on July 25th, 2007

Please excuse the odd formatting.  I’m working through a hotel connection and it’s giving me a few problems.

Yesterday I flew out to Boston on my hometown airline, Midwest Express.  What a treat.  This is an airline that provides first rate service.  I’m talking wide seats; plenty of leg-room; 2 hot, fresh-baked, chocolate chip cookies; clean plane; friendly staff.  The plane was nearly full so I know they made money on my flight. 

Unfortunately AirTrans wants to take over Midwest Express and turn it into a crappy discount carrier.More unfortunately the major stockholders want to take the AirTrans offer.  It’s about the money. 

I can’t blame them.  They invested in Midwest Express to make money.  The airline asked them to invest so they could do the good things that I like so well about Midwest Express. 

It a devil’s bargain.  If you take the devil’s money sooner or later you have to do what the devil asks.  It’s especially significant if you are on the smaller side.

The moral of the story is that if you absolutely, positively need somebody else’s money, take it, but remember there is more than the money involved.  What it really means to be your own person you must use your own resources.

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POSTED IN: Business Plan, Finance, Starting Up