Indiana business owner lays himself off

MISHAWAKA, Ind. — A Mishawaka business owner has had to make the tough decision to lay off employees before.

This time, he took it in a slightly different direction.

He laid himself off.

Mike Venable is the co-owner and president of Unicom Satellite.

The satellite television retailer was forced to close locations in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne and Ann Arbor, Mich., and downsized from 60 installers to one.

By October, three employees were left, and it was clear there would have to be more layoffs.

Venable tells WSBT-TV he decided to lay himself off rather than cut ties with workers he considers to be family.

He and his business partner decided to forego their paychecks.

Venable says he's in survival mode and so far, he's making it.