Acknowledgements

This book is a manifestation of my personal worklife and beliefs. Ever since I was a child, my gut instincts have known that we are all self-employed, that none of us really works for anyone else. I am indebted to many people who, throughout my life, have participated in my learning and influenced my direction, and to those who have made this revision possible.

I thank my family. Thanks to Amy and Gabriella, for your loving tolerance during those times we’d talk about the school day or vacation plans and I’d be only half present with the next sentence swirling around in my brain. Amy, I have been blessed by your trust and ability to embrace uncertainty; I have felt and am fueled by your resolve. Gabriella, thank you for your question “When will your book be published?” The sparkle in your eyes when you asked kept me going.

Thank you to my friends: Bruce Albert, for your thoughts on learning and growing; Deborah Sosin, for your tears and perspective; and Ralph Katz, for your gut honesty and reflecting my energy.

Thank you to my colleagues: Mary Jacobsen, for seeing my light and helping it to shine brighter; Rene Petrin, for your supportive words, always, and expertise on mentoring; and Kim Cromwell, for your example of courage and your belief in my work.

I’m greatly indebted to the reviewers of the manuscript. Valerie Andrews, thank you for getting up and shouting; Irene Sitbon, thank you for your reminder that my message is a wake-up call to our souls; Lisa McLeod, thank you for citing that “courage” is essential to work-life change; and Peter De Macarty, thank you for challenging me to examine the “real unfairness” of the workplace. I am blessed to know that you all appreciate my “energy and passion,” and acknowledge the “dreadful import” of my message. I wrote a better book because of you.

At the foundation of producing this book were the purpose, passion, and productivity of the Berrett-Koehler team. I am grateful to Steven Piersanti, president of Berrett-Koehler Publishers. Thank you for recognizing that the timing was right for the rebirth of We Are All Self-Employed and for leading your independent team members in offering their interdependent bests to publish this second edition. The team included Maria Jesus Aguilo, senior manager, international sales and subsidiary rights; Patricia Anderson, vice president of business development and strategic alliances; Gail Caldwell, fulfillment manager; Marina Cook, sales and marketing associate; Michael Crowley, senior direct sales manager; Robin Donovan, senior online marketing and promotion manager; Kristen Frantz, director of sales and marketing; Brenda Frink, publicity and promotion associate; Jenny Hermann, business development and marketing associate; Catherine Lengronne, administrative assistant; Bob Liss, vice president, operations and administration; Ken Lupoff, publicity manager; Kate Piersanti, copyright editor; Mark Schoenrock, finance director; Jeevan Sivasubramaniam, managing editor; Kathy Slater, accounting manager; Richard Wilson, vice president for design and production; and Ginger Winters, senior human resources/office manager. Thank you for your out-of-the-box thinking that included me as a full partner.

Thank you to Jimmie Young from Tolman Creek Design for the design of this book and to Laura Lionello, editor, for adding clarity and panache.

My gratitude, beyond words, goes to my clients. It is each of your journeys that have humbled and fortified mine. I know their stories will give life to this book and encourage its readers to tell theirs and express their “self-employed” attitudes.