Company going public?

[Guest]

Are there thoughts of taking your company public?

[dane]

Are there thoughts of taking your company public?

Nope.

[mythgard]

I would just like to say from working for companies that have gone public in the past - staying private is the best option for companies that have a good cash flow from worrying about the all mighty bottom dollar. The previous companies that I worked for had employees going back to when they were privately held companies and each time they said quality and services went downhill after going public because shareholders don't usually care about great products or service, they just care about the money. Thank you Dane for keeping Sonic.net a private company. I hope that it stays that way forever.

The only other concern that I would have is when Dane decides to retire. I have seen it before as well. Once the founder of a company leaves, the "heart" and vision behind everything is gone or in some way changed (usually for the worse). I am certain that whoever you choose to take over the reigns will have your same vision that you do. In the end, I just want to say thank you Dane for having such a great company!

[wa2ibm]

+1

[virtualmike]

... when Dane decides to retire...

Only Dane knows his plans for retirement (and I'm not suggesting he tell us). However, I've known more than one small business where the owner who built it with his heart and soul remained as owner after "retirement," even though he was not managing on a day-to-day basis. That maintained continuity.

Otherwise, I'm hoping that by the time Dane retires, I will be retired, and not local to the West Coast.

[dane]

I just read "In-N-Out Burger", a book about the family owned burger chain. No franchising, no outside money, and one simple product done well. And, a very good transition from the first to second generation. (The third: not so much, but remains to be seen the outcome.)

I'm still just a "kid" (at 39), no plans to quit anytime soon!

-Dane

[bobrk]

Thanks, Dane, for mentioning In-N-Out. Now I want a Single Cheese Animal Style with Chilis.

[kenlui]

I agree with mythgard & virtualmike. Once the founders leave, many who remain don't either have the drive nor the ability to keep the flame with the same concentration/intensity. May Sonic's future remain bright and continue to "fight for the users."

[dane]

Chilis? They have chilis??

[bobrk]

YES! I saw it somewhere recently, and now I can't eat them without. They're pepperoncini, chopped up. So good.