Response from: Harry Goldberg (Check me out!)

I have NO idea what point you are trying to even make here. So are you saying I'm wrong? What exactly are you recalling that debates my point? Again, Mr. Hessinger. I run a successful software business in Philadelphia that was once a start-up. You have presented me with not a single stitch of information on what exactly you have accomplished or where your suggestions stem from. Can you honestly say that in today's day and age, when most people have both a homeline and a cellphone, that turning one of them into a business phone where customers can hear a professional voice as opposed to "Hi, It's Doug and Bettie, leave a message!" is a wrong decision? At this point, I don't want you to even debate me on this unless you can present to me some evidence that you've EVER run a business successfully in your life.

Response from: Shawn A. Hessinger (Check me out!)

Actually, Harry, I'm agreeing with you for once. At least in principle. Though in my years of running ventures ranging from a family owned fruit selling business to a mobile DJing service, I never needed one. In my current job in the newspaper business, I recently called a press agent to set up an interview with his client and ended up talking to his "secretary", his young daughter, who picked up the phone. It was a business line by the way, and his kid still picked it up! I don't recall being put off and I was certainly not going to refuse to talk to his client because I perceived him as unprofessional. I know of many mom and pop plumbers, farm produce companies, home heating oil companies and the like that still don't have a separate business line. I think it comes down to the kind of business you have and whether having one is necessary. If it is, spend the money. If it isn't, don't.