It's Bad Business to Let the Killer Get Away With It: The Sam Spade Guide to Better Business

Sam Spade, the hard edged protagonist of The Maltese Falcon, is in some ways the quintessential small business owner.  He is a private detective (or dick if you prefer) with an office, a partner, a secretary and a network that would make a social media climber swoon.   As a small business owner he takes on the risks of running a business and enjoys the rewards.  He sets his own prices which vary significantly depending on the client and the job.  (Recovering the Maltese Falcon is worth thousands, while searching for someone’s sister is worth considerably less).  And despite his womanizing and wayward ways, he also embodies qualities that would behoove business owners to emulate.