From the Editor
Mike Hofman

CEOs Give Thanks

 

At the risk of being corny, I asked some entrepreneurs I know what they were thankful for this year.

Dan Hoffman, the CEO of M5 Networks, a company in New York City that provides voice over IP services, said:

"The first thing that came to mind is my Thinkpad's 7-hour battery life, built-in EVDO card, and the fact that I can use it on the New York City subway without fear of being mugged. The second thing had to do with being thankful for all the staff, customers and shareholders that have trusted me this year, but that's probably less interesting to print, as is the zero-eth thing that came to mind—my family."

Michelle Kaufmann, founder of Michelle Kaufmann Designs in Oakland, California, a firm that designs prefabricated housing, said:

"I am thankful for living in a time when it is possible to face big challenges head on, even as a small company. Through the smart use of technology, it is possible to make a big difference. That is exciting."

Finally, Clint Greenleaf, the chairman and CEO of the Greenleaf Book Group, an innovative book publishing company in Austin, said:

"There's the standard stuff: great employees, living in America where we can create and run businesses that work, good partners, etc. I guess I'm thankful too that I have fun in every aspect of my life—whether I'm at home with my wife and daughter or I'm at the office—I love everything I do. Makes me a lucky guy."

Good sentiments all. What are you thankful for, in terms of your business?

Mike Hofman was previously editor of Inc.com and a deputy editor at Inc. magazine, which he joined in 1996. The site was nominated for a National Magazine Award for Digital Media in 2010, and was named the best business website by Folio Magazine. In 2006, Hofman was part of a team of writers nominated for a Webby Award for best business blog. He lives in New York City. @mikehofman