Re: “Restaurateur endures second bankruptcy,” (Bob Beaty, Business Edge, January 22, 2004.)
I understand that your publication is dedicated to business news of all sorts, nonetheless I was somewhat perturbed by the tone of this particular article.
As a small business and restaurateur myself, I also understand the problems that many of us in this business have encountered with “trouble in the form of reduced demand for dining out, caused by the triple whammies of the war on terrorism, SARS and mad cow disease”, etc.
I do find it interesting, however, that a full-page article highlighting someone who has filed for bankruptcy not once, but twice, should be featured in your publication.
What about the rest of us Alberta entrepreneurs who may also be struggling, but DO pay our bills and have chosen NOT to leave their creditors “clamouring” to collect what is owed to them? How many of these creditors are also small businesses who have been put in a bad position themselves by the filing of bankruptcies?
The overall tone of the article suggests that it is OK, and even somewhat glamorous, to conduct business in this fashion. Perhaps you should consider featuring some of the real success stories about entrepreneurs who, rather than “always going ahead with something new” and “forgetting about financial guarantees,” operate their business in a responsible manner.
– Margo Doherty, Kaffa Coffee and Salsa House Calgary