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139. Dan Price, CEO of Gravity, established $70,000/yr as his company's minimum wage.
Fri Sep 24, 2021, 02:17 AM
Sep 2021

Despite predictions of every conservative pundit that this "socialist" move would bankrupt the company, it has tripled its revenue. One self-proclaimed "expert" predicted that the company's failure would be a case study at Harvard Business School.

Price said he made the decision after hearing an employee talking about the second job he had to work just to make ends meet. He reduced his multi-million dollar salary to $70,000, downsized his life and gave the balance to his employees.

Harvard Business School is going to use Price's company's success as a case study.

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Can't pay staff a living wage? liberalmuse Sep 2021 #1
EXACTLY! NT Happy Hoosier Sep 2021 #8
It's a great lesson for these businesses jimfields33 Sep 2021 #9
Except that he didn't learn. soldierant Sep 2021 #125
Yes... and no MissMillie Sep 2021 #13
Agreed. If he's implying that bigger chain stores took his employees Merlot Sep 2021 #45
When folks talk about supporting small business...Mom and Pop...I always think back to my days Demsrule86 Sep 2021 #127
They're claiming it's the size advantage IronLionZion Sep 2021 #26
Agreed Red Mountain Sep 2021 #119
if you can't pay a fair wage you shouldn't have a business scarytomcat Sep 2021 #30
There are way too many business owners who believe that's the way to run a business. jaxexpat Sep 2021 #61
This message was self-deleted by its author Chin music Sep 2021 #32
The real shame is even $15/hr is not a living wage. LakeArenal Sep 2021 #54
Depends on where the person lives BannonsLiver Sep 2021 #97
No $15.00 an hour is not a living wage even in Ohio anymore...but it is better than less and with Demsrule86 Sep 2021 #128
These guys would be a lot more competitive if we had national health care...nt albacore Sep 2021 #84
You are correct. Mr.Bill Sep 2021 #109
This message was self-deleted by its author Chin music Sep 2021 #124
Sure but it won't happen anytime soon. Demsrule86 Sep 2021 #129
if the US had national healthcare........ RicROC Sep 2021 #141
What's a livable wage? BannonsLiver Sep 2021 #92
There's no consensus because it varies Mr.Bill Sep 2021 #110
Depends. Elessar Zappa Sep 2021 #113
Dan Price, CEO of Gravity, established $70,000/yr as his company's minimum wage. LastLiberal in PalmSprings Sep 2021 #139
Very difficult for a small family owned restaurant to pay staff $70k a year. BannonsLiver Sep 2021 #148
His Profit Margin Went Up, Too ProfessorGAC Sep 2021 #150
It was about 5 years ago. Juice business opened in our town and posted Help wanted in the local 3Hotdogs Sep 2021 #126
But but, it's only the "Free Market" when it works for me.... TheRealNorth Sep 2021 #2
But you're right. If you can't make your overhead, including labor, you can't stay in business. rickyhall Sep 2021 #18
I would hazard a guess that "reasonable wage", as defined by him, and "living, thriving niyad Sep 2021 #3
No benefits? Diamond_Dog Sep 2021 #4
This message was self-deleted by its author Chin music Sep 2021 #34
+1 c-rational Sep 2021 #44
Our local walmart is now starting at a whopping $20.80. GemDigger Sep 2021 #60
This message was self-deleted by its author Chin music Sep 2021 #67
But for how many hours per week? TexasBushwhacker Sep 2021 #120
I'm sure he's perfectly willing to give them the benefit of helping fill out their SNAP application Rabrrrrrr Sep 2021 #73
Economies of scale at work radicalleft Sep 2021 #5
I think if we want to preserve mom-and-pop stores, then we should be arguing for UBI ck4829 Sep 2021 #7
No, these people are in it to make money. I have no desire to support a Mom and Pop business. Demsrule86 Sep 2021 #130
Bingo! MissMillie Sep 2021 #17
Yes, small businesses aren't on a level playing field. Wingus Dingus Sep 2021 #50
A lot of people in the thread cheering that on BannonsLiver Sep 2021 #88
Agreed... radicalleft Sep 2021 #91
Yeah I don't expect BannonsLiver Sep 2021 #96
The anti-immigration sentiment has a lot to do with this too MoonlitKnight Sep 2021 #6
Exactly, but I checked him out and his place is gourmet tacos LeftInTX Sep 2021 #40
Poor baby... MineralMan Sep 2021 #10
The morals of a lot of these small business owners are awful Johnny2X2X Sep 2021 #11
My sister found this out personally, when she went to work for a friend's restaurant Coventina Sep 2021 #23
My wife Johnny2X2X Sep 2021 #28
A garden center??? LeftInTX Sep 2021 #57
Some friendship, eh? Thank goodness she saw the light and got out quickly, after realizing... SWBTATTReg Sep 2021 #80
The owner at my previous job said... kirkuchiyo Sep 2021 #27
+1000 Demsrule86 Sep 2021 #131
I'm sure the poacher SallyHemmings Sep 2021 #12
I get that small employers can't afford to provide benefits. 70sEraVet Sep 2021 #14
I'm tired of the "Medicare for All" argument MissMillie Sep 2021 #25
I'm on Medicare, and I agree with you - its not enough. 70sEraVet Sep 2021 #35
We need Medicaid for All. Elessar Zappa Sep 2021 #36
Well, besides the monthly premium MissMillie Sep 2021 #41
We can afford it. Elessar Zappa Sep 2021 #42
This message was self-deleted by its author Chin music Sep 2021 #46
LOL... we got out of Afghanistan and INCREASED the DoD budget MissMillie Sep 2021 #47
This message was self-deleted by its author Chin music Sep 2021 #49
The benefit of the increase goes to the military contractors MissMillie Sep 2021 #55
This message was self-deleted by its author Chin music Sep 2021 #68
Indeed - healthcare is a human right and many countries get that. GoneOffShore Sep 2021 #75
Medicare for all legislation abolishes Voltaire2 Sep 2021 #142
I wasn't aware of that MissMillie Sep 2021 #145
We can't even get Democrats to agree on Voltaire2 Sep 2021 #149
No then they shouldn't be in business. Demsrule86 Sep 2021 #132
The benefit point isn't unfair dsc Sep 2021 #15
It always baffles me Elessar Zappa Sep 2021 #20
I agree. Even large corporations would benefit. 70sEraVet Sep 2021 #38
+1 (n/t) MissMillie Sep 2021 #48
Many large corporations... Xolodno Sep 2021 #79
The ACA has helped with this...small companies can take advanage of it if they choose too. Demsrule86 Sep 2021 #133
Texas didn't expand Medicaid Horse with no Name Sep 2021 #138
Larger issue edhopper Sep 2021 #16
+1 MissMillie Sep 2021 #19
I am always amazed edhopper Sep 2021 #21
The downside would be Unions Mr.Bill Sep 2021 #115
"reasonable wage" equals 50 cents more than minimum wage JT45242 Sep 2021 #22
I'm not sure BannonsLiver Sep 2021 #89
Maybe someday you'll get over the trauma. ret5hd Sep 2021 #107
Or, as Chris Rock says, Mr.Bill Sep 2021 #116
"Why won't people work for my shitty wages?!?!?" durablend Sep 2021 #24
Here in Ohio, companies before the pandemic who were paying terrible wage like 10 bucks and hour Demsrule86 Sep 2021 #134
Better Pay Generally Boosts Productivity, Too ProfessorGAC Sep 2021 #151
I agree. And many have been living pretty good on the backs of their workers...times up folks. Demsrule86 Sep 2021 #152
You know who will willingly work James48 Sep 2021 #29
I am not a small business owner but, maybe this demands some analysis before trying to throw Escurumbele Sep 2021 #31
Universal heath care would be a HUGE boost to small companies. PaulRevere08 Sep 2021 #59
100% with you. Free education as well. Escurumbele Sep 2021 #64
The restaurant is in McKinney, Texas. TexasTowelie Sep 2021 #63
I used "Workers Comp" insurance as an example, so lets put that one aside and talk about health Escurumbele Sep 2021 #74
The median income in McKinney in 2019 was close to $90,000 a year. Lonestarblue Sep 2021 #76
I knew that McKinney is one of the wealthier suburbs, but I didn't recall what the median income is. TexasTowelie Sep 2021 #98
The WC policy I had with Travellers Mosby Sep 2021 #81
I worked with the Texas Department of Insurance and started out by coding statistical data TexasTowelie Sep 2021 #103
Stop trying to obnoxiousdrunk Sep 2021 #94
I am a small business owner and know many of them are right wing assholes JI7 Sep 2021 #111
If I am not mistaken, Texas does not require employers Horse with no Name Sep 2021 #137
The employees didn't like the way the restaurant cooked their eggs? DemocraticPatriot Sep 2021 #33
we had a chance to raise the minimum wage to $15.00. the rs and businness blew it. AllaN01Bear Sep 2021 #37
Still do. Why not lump it in with the $3.5T bill fescuerescue Sep 2021 #69
Don't forget about Sen. Kirsten Sinema and her little thumbs down curtsy. panader0 Sep 2021 #83
me thinks shes a false flag. when is she due for reelection? AllaN01Bear Sep 2021 #87
McKinney TX appears to have every fast food and chain restaurant in the US Klaralven Sep 2021 #39
This is a "gourmet" taco place, so you never know LeftInTX Sep 2021 #51
So it was supposedly a "reasonable wage" and yet he lost employee's to cstanleytech Sep 2021 #43
The guy didn't start a business. He bought himself a job... S/V Loner Sep 2021 #52
Yup, his employees paid for his job. SunSeeker Sep 2021 #140
Sounds like some folks don't want to work for poor wages for him to realize his dream of owning 33taw Sep 2021 #53
Bummer. chwaliszewski Sep 2021 #56
"Next thing you know they'll want time off for a family funeral." lpbk2713 Sep 2021 #58
Maybe he should spend more on salaries than horde it into his expensive house and multiple cars. Crowman2009 Sep 2021 #62
Mr Horton, if your business can only survive offering slave wages with no benefits AZLD4Candidate Sep 2021 #65
If a Fat Cat millionaire restaurant owner can't pay his employees fescuerescue Sep 2021 #66
I doubt he's a millionaire but Elessar Zappa Sep 2021 #77
Business should be required to put up a large bond before going into business fescuerescue Sep 2021 #95
I live in McKinney and have no idea even where it is JCMach1 Sep 2021 #101
Well, toots, if they didn't need benefits from employers b/c we all get them from government... n/t TygrBright Sep 2021 #70
Would he work for such a "reasonable wage"? keithbvadu2 Sep 2021 #71
"I can't find people willing to sacrifice and screw themselves for my business - this is unfair! Rabrrrrrr Sep 2021 #72
💯 live love laugh Sep 2021 #105
That is how markets work. Sherman A1 Sep 2021 #78
"I can't...offer them any kind of benefits." Grins Sep 2021 #82
The smart owners and managers understand that good employees FakeNoose Sep 2021 #85
Interesting. We are moving into a service economy. pandr32 Sep 2021 #86
Poaching is a real issue in our little lake town in Virginia. phylny Sep 2021 #90
So, are you saying... ret5hd Sep 2021 #108
Ha! phylny Sep 2021 #118
kinda like the story I read (might be anecdotal) the owner was mad coz KG Sep 2021 #93
That is what I am finding thru out the process is pulling teeth how much they are paying. LizBeth Sep 2021 #147
There was just a business owner complaining about this in my town's Facebook group liberal_mama Sep 2021 #99
OK...maybe that's legit radicalleft Sep 2021 #102
Straight up, he's not. No restaurant jobs are below $12 in McKinney JCMach1 Sep 2021 #100
He's full of 💩: He wouldn't even say what he pays. live love laugh Sep 2021 #104
Piling on, but bears repeated, don't start a business if you can't pay but scraps, exploity much? Brainfodder Sep 2021 #106
"Poaching," lol Withywindle Sep 2021 #112
MIT's Living Wage Calculator is quite interesting. Surprised me a great deal. Ziggysmom Sep 2021 #114
Fix the immigration problem and employ the refugees randr Sep 2021 #117
...under the same living wage and benefits... ret5hd Sep 2021 #121
I watch Restaurant Impossible BigmanPigman Sep 2021 #122
"Don't like it, work somewhere else!" Grokenstein Sep 2021 #123
The pandemic laid bare Ellen Forradalom Sep 2021 #135
This is one of the reasons why the US needs to adopt some form of universal care. Renew Deal Sep 2021 #136
huh Dorian Gray Sep 2021 #143
Sounds like Paul Horton's business model isn't equipped for profit Mr. Ected Sep 2021 #144
Horton hasn't figured it out bluecollar2 Sep 2021 #146
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