It Takes Courage: Keeping a 125 Year Old Company in Business During a Pandemic

Since I was a little boy, growing up in northern Illinois farm country, I knew I wanted to be my own boss. I wanted success for myself and those around me. I still do. I suppose that’s why I am a high school basketball coach. The most rewarding part of being a high school coach is seeing the young men I coach put the lessons they learn on the court to greater use as life skills. In fact, just the other day, one of my former players, now in his early 30s, ran into me at church. While we only spoke for a few moments, in that time he told me how grateful he was that after he graduated college I was able to connect him with his first employer where he continues to thrive to this day. It’s moments like this when I feel I am fulfilling my God-given purpose.

Nearly three years ago, the opportunity to own my own company presented itself at what seemed like the perfect time. I was without a job and searching for my next career move. This was it — managing a well-established company with more than 120 years of history that was performing well at the time. I made the courageous decision to leverage all my assets and buy the company, Bowman Construction. That was in 2018.

Cue the sound of impending doom – 2020. Just as many small businesses across the country are trying to weather a pandemic and subsequent economic downturn, so is Bowman Construction. I have had to make tough decisions — laying off employees, trimming expenses and working closely with vendors to make sure we can support each other. I filed for and received the federal assistance made available to small businesses this summer. It helped, but as more weeks tick by with a pandemic impacting the economy and no further federal assistance in the works, I worry about Bowman Construction and its 126th year of business. Trust me, I am doing everything I can to keep workers employed and keep the Bowman Construction legacy alive. Nothing makes a person scrappier than the fear of losing everything.

 “Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear.” Franklin Delano Roosevelt

I recently came across a Franklin Delano Roosevelt quote. “Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear.” I don’t consider myself fearless but I have had moments of courage. Buying Bowman Construction was one. Lately, I have had many moments of courage. It takes courage to cold call potential customers and ask for their business. It takes courage to call a vendor to let them know a payment will be late because a struggling customer hasn’t paid one of our invoices. In those moments, my courage comes from faith — faith that the customer or vendor on the end has empathy as they are facing some of the same challenges.     

Right now, I am leaning on the lessons I teach the high school students I coach. As the clock runs out and there’s no one open for a pass, steady yourself and take the shot. Have faith that all your hard work pays off in that moment and you can sink the shot. I’ve steadied myself and I’m taking that shot and asking that you consider small, locally owned businesses for your next project or purchase. We can definitely use the business and the help.