Making a Profit

Making a profit is essential to any business. Even governments make a profit through taxes. When people think about businesses, they generally focus on grocery stores, clothing shops, a butcher, a pastry shop, restaurants and just about any business you find at a mall or in a town. No one stops to think that banks, utility companies, medical facilities and even churches are in the business of making a profit. How you make a profit is another matter. As the economy deteriorated, did you notice a sharp increase in bank fees for example? I certainly did and they didn’t just raise them a little, they went up over two hundred percent. Realty companies are another example of profit making organizations. Many years ago I was in a group of people who invested in run down properties. We would put money into them, upgrade the property and then sell it. One time we visited an apartment complex that needed a complete renovation. As we toured the buildings I realized that the people living in those apartments were very poor. If we bought that complex, they surely would have to be evicted as once the repairs were completed, they wouldn’t be able to afford to live there. I refused to make an offer. I simply couldn’t see myself making their difficult situation worse. Making a profit is very important, but sometimes its more important to do the right thing. I saw an old show with a similar situation. A widow with three sons was trying to sell her home. A Realtor pointed out to a prominent citizen that it would be a good investment for him as the city was going to build a new freeway and the house would have to be sold to make way for the new road. The citizen decided to make an offer, but his wife objected. She felt that whatever business dealings he had, that it was better to be honorable. Eventually his conscience won out and he told the widow no. Naturally, it all ended well. The businesses in Pecos, Texas, home of the good Gus Series are indeed profit making shops. However, there isn’t any deceitfulness involved. As you contemplate your final choices for Christmas gifts for children, I hope you select a book from the Good Gus series .