The Ups and Downs of Running a Small Business (Lessons from a Lifetime of Lifting People, Business, and Community Up)

At ninety-five years old, James Fay Comley has lived through nearly a century of change— and built a thriving, multigenerational business that has stood the test of time. As founder and president of Embree Elevator, a family-run company serving Massachusetts and New Hampshire for more than five decades, Comley knows firsthand what it takes to turn grit, honesty, and perseverance into lasting success.

In The Ups and Downs of Owning and Running a Small Business, Comley shares the wisdom, humor, and hard-won lessons that shaped his nine-decade journey— from repairing elevators as a young tradesman to leading a respected company rooted in integrity and family values. Along the way, he reveals what it really means to be an entrepreneur: taking calculated risks, building strong relationships, mentoring others, and balancing work, family, and faith.

Filled with memorable stories, practical advice, and 25 timeless philosophies for life and leadership, this book offers inspiration for anyone starting out, starting over, or striving to build something that lasts. Whether you’ re launching a small business, running a family company, or simply trying to live and work with purpose, Comley’ s insights remind us that true success is measured not just by profit, but by character, community, and the people you lift up along the way.