A substantial number of people who have built nothing live in a fictional reality that stems from victim ideology. Whether a consequence of envy or insecurity, many today view business owners and corporations as enemies that lazily feed off the backs of hardworking laborers, collude to artificially inflate prices and search endlessly for new ways to undermine the customer experience.

According to this interpretation, business owners are like Mr. Krabs from “SpongeBob:” captured by avarice and fixated on money, money money. This distortion needs to be curbed for a more rational understanding of the world.

Generally speaking, business owners are the individuals taking on all of the economic risk and uncertainty that comes with a start-up. They are burdened with the potential of being left bankrupt and penniless. If they want the chance to obtain a loan to start the business, they must outline where every dollar and cent will go, planning out years of operations. They are the people ensuring the business meets a series of regulatory demands. They do not get to put in two weeks’ notice; they must see the business through to its conclusion. They are responsible for advertising. They constantly search for new ways to expand, increase efficiency, and generate more revenue. They create not only goods and services but also jobs. They are the Henry Ford types who put themselves on the line for entrepreneurial ambitions.

This list of what business owners do to compete in the market barely scratches the surface. Much of what is required of business owners goes overlooked by those who subscribe to the victim narrative. They have been so sheltered and ensnared by their grievance-based worldview that they are unwittingly clueless. 

A few months ago, The Wall Street Journal published a tremendous article about Chick-fil-A operations. It explored the intricate and complex business strategies at one of the most popular fast-food restaurant chains in America today. It provided insight into just how much work goes into making a business succeed.

For instance, in 2020, they hired drone pilots to obtain footage around the nation of drive-through operations. They took the game film and analyzed it, identifying how they could increase efficiency. Taking their findings, they expanded their teams and spread out duties, among other changes and successfully shrunk order times and increased total transactions. Is this the corporate oppression we frequently hear about?

The article also delved into the challenges that arise in business. When Chick-fil-A began stationing workers outside to take more orders and increase face-to-face interactions with customers, they had to find a way to keep employees cool in the summers and warm in the winters. They invested in canopies, fans and heaters and partnered with clothing brands to design “military-spec cooling vests” and “moisture-wicking uniforms” to combat the heat and “thermal options” to fight off the cold. Doesn’t really sound like the Krusty Krab.

Now, is every business exactly like Chick-fil-A? No. But they all have extensive challenges that frequently go over the heads of people who have not the slightest experience running anything. Running a business involves sacrifice, attentiveness and danger. Around half of all businesses fail to survive five years. Many entrepreneurs who strike gold have failed in business at one point or another. It is an all-out war to compete in the market. Yet, fresh entrepreneurs continue to take risks and start new businesses every day. These people ought to be celebrated, not demonized.