Always know your worth!
I worked for a small business for several years and things came to a head December of 2015.
I started in 2013 around $7.25 an hour(minimum wage) then moved up to $7.50 (after 90 day probationary period) but I didn't mind because at that time I lived with my parents and didn't have any bills other than my cell phone. I worked with several friends so it was a blast. Over time I started hating the job and getting more and more bitter and miserable while working there. I wasn't a super employee but I was dependable, always willing to pick up shifts, never absent, worked whether I was sick or not, delivered and distributed inventory in my personal vehicle across town between locations (no gas reimbursement because upon being hired we "came to agreement that it was part of the job description" which we most certainly did not)
Multiple times I was told by the owner that I would be getting a raise and that we would get together and discuss it. I had to "remind" him after about 3 months about my getting a raise. He gave me a 25 cent raise. Since employees talk amongst each other I found out exactly how much each employee and new hire was making right off the bat. Some were getting the same amount I had to wait to get AFTER my "probation" period while others were making more than that. After getting shafted in initial pay at point of hire compared to the new employees I decided to man up and ask him for another raise. He brought up all the points I posted on here as reasons why he was agreeing I deserved a raise and gave me a dollar increase. I was content with that, but I knew exactly what my worth was for my position and it definitely was more than the dollar and way more than what the new untrained inexperienced hires were getting paid. I started looking for something new, something different.
Unfortunately I did not get a new job before I quit after reaching the breaking point at that company. Certain events transpired from the point I got that raise until December 2015. Had a meeting where it was literally presented to me that "Either you resign/quit or I will cut your hours and pay to the least amount possible within the confines of the law or you quit." I essentially told the owner "I know my worth, I will not beg to keep my job or my pay. I will not grovel. I will not lose my dignity by staying on here at minimum wage and minimal hours. This will not be the end of me." Luckily I had enough money for the rent that month but I was unemployed and broke for Christmas. It sucked so bad that my gf had to give me $50 dollars on Christmas Eve so I could go and buy her a Christmas gift from me to her. That was such a shitty feeling and even worse memory. My girlfriend had to cover my part of our bills and rent for a few months until my tax refund came in, which went to paying her back and paying my bills and half of our rent. It was a rough couple of months but life is like that. There are peaks and valleys.
I am lucky or blessed enough (depending on your beliefs) to say that I now have a good paying job with great benefits, awesome advancement opportunities, no hoops to jump through for raises or even needing to ask for them, no more stress, no bitterness, no longer miserable. Not just that but also 365 days to the date that I bought my girlfriend her gift with her money, I reached in my pocket, pulled out a beautiful ring and I proposed (bought and paid for with MY own money lol) We are happily engaged and in several months our house will be done being built and we will be first time homeowners.
If you told me back in December of 2015 that a full 12 months later I would be getting engaged and at a fantastic job with our new home a few months away from completion I would've said you were crazy. But that's life and I am glad I'm no longer at that small company.
TL;DR - Shitty job. Shitty pay. Quit. Rough few months. New job. Engaged. New home soon. All in a matter of 12 months. ALWAYS KNOW YOUR WORTH!!