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#raisethewage

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@sidereal
I have strong feelings about this subject. When anyone opens a business, among the long-term risks are that regulations WILL change, rent WILL rise, and wages WILL go up. If a business person acts surprised when any of these eventualities occur, do not buy it.

My husband and I owned a restaurant/bar in Ballard, Seattle (The Tin Hat) from 1998-2002.

We always paid higher than minimum wage.

First, the minimum wage was ridiculously low back then (and still is).

Second, employees live in the communities where they work, and they need to afford housing, food, etc.

Third, higher pay breeds loyalty to the business: Employees know that we paid more than the competition, so they had no reason to leave (plus, we gave them agency to run their shifts).

Fourth, some shifts are just shitty, low volume, and short on tips. That burden should not fall on the employee who showed up to do the job.

Fifth, we didn't get rich, but we created a unique niche environment where our customers found value and were willing to pay just a little bit more.

Sixth, if your business can't make money by paying your employees a living wage, step aside, because you are not fit to own a business.

*END RANT*