Peter F. Schopen Jr.

I see them. They're peering at me from around the corner. They think I can't see them, but I know they're there. I can feel it. My pulse is racing. When will they charge? When will they attack? The clock slowly ticks upwards ... 8:56, 8:57, 8:58, 8:59 a.m. ... I know they'll be coming my way soon.

I have four baskets in my office. One is for personal mail. Another is for personal bills. A third is for business mail and the fourth is for business bills. Recently, I had to add a fifth basket. This new basket is for all of my friends at Metro Center for Health, McHenry Radiologists, Crystal...more >>

If you said anything except No. 3, I've got a bridge to sell you in Alaska. Having debt, with no concept on how to pay it off is a death sentence for many small businesses.

A few years ago, when I was deciding what to do with my life, a large company was looking to hire me for a mid-management position. Because I was going to be working with many employees underneath me, I had a slew of psychological tests done.

For anyone who knows me personally, they'd agree that I have a type AAA personality. Take a cup of Adam Sandler, mix it with a glass of Hulk Hogan, throw in a pinch of Chris Rock and add a splash of David Lee Roth - and you have created Pete Schopen on a slow day.

The most important networking we can do is in our own community.

If you are a small business owner like me, you are only too aware of gas prices. During the past few months, the cost for a gallon of gas has increased by more than a dollar, depending on where you live. By the time you read this article, it is a real possibility that my market, Chicago, will have...more >>

Alot can happen in two years: You can fall in love and get married. Bear Stearns can rise, fall and rise again. MC Hammer can make and lose a career. A relatively unknown state senator from Illinois can rise all the way to becoming a presidential candidate. And Schopen Pest Solutions can go from $0...more >>

Pompeii. The Titanic. The Great Flood. Donald Trump's hair. Bridgette Nielsen's acting career. These disasters from the annals of mankind all pale in comparison to my first try at hiring an employee. It went so poorly that the residuals will affect my company for the remainder of this year.

Like Tom Hanks in the hit movie Cast Away, Pete Schopen has been on a work island by himself since April 2006, but that all changed this January.