My husband's boss is poorer than we are

[Nikia]

My husband works for a small business that has potential, but hasn't been seen yet. He is paid poorly, $320/week. A few weeks ago, the boss told my husband that he was going to be laid off and the business would go bankrupt. A few days later, he changed his mind after he received some payments from customers (Part of the problem is this guy is not good collecting from customers who don't want to pay). My husband also finally got paid after not being paid for over a month. Anyway, Friday night we went over there because my husband had to pick up some equipment. The wife was telling me all about how they were really struggling and even had to use the church food pantry. So what do we do? We have helped out friends before, but this guy is my husband's employer and my husband isn't making much there anyway.

[Don_G]

1. Find Help With Collections?

Maybe a good seminar? It would be well worth it if the boss could collect on overdue accounts.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

2. I Am A Small Businessman

Deadbeats are the bane of my existence...

[noiretextatique]

5. collections is a must

he needs to get a lot more agressive about it.

[soupkitchen]

3. Maybe your husband and him can change positions.

Let your husband run the business

[Nikia]

4. That might actually help

I don't think it is going to happen though. Although this guy usually seems easy going, he really is a control freak about everything including his business.
I just glad that the owner of the business I work for has never come up to me and complained about her financial situation. She recently bought a new Lexus. I think that I don't have to worry about not getting paid.

[corarose]

6. Your husband should strike a deal with the owner

Maybe he could do the collections for him for a commission or a portion of the business.

If I had a business that I knew was going under I would take the risk of allowing someone that I knew to help me and I would be willing to pay them and I bet your husbands boss would do the same.

We use to have a business that went under and now I am beyond poor.
Your husbands boss needs help and if your husband helps him he could become a business partner but he would need a contract before doing it.

[cally]

7. I'm going to echo the collections advice

We also own a small business and we are ruthless about collections. Send the notice every few days, contact lawyers or arbitration, and just be relentless. It is the difference between success and failure. We send our invoices and overdue notices weekly. Start charging interest after a month of no payment. Then start calling lawyers.

I would offer them help like any other person. I would probably try to offer it through a charity. Call a local charity and ask if they can act as a conduit.