diff --git a/docker-entrypoint.sh b/docker-entrypoint.sh
index a03a555..9189268 100644
--- a/docker-entrypoint.sh
+++ b/docker-entrypoint.sh
@@ -30,11 +30,29 @@ echo "  DB_HOST_CREW: ${DB_HOST_CREW:-not set}"
 echo "  DB_HOST_MERCHBAY: ${DB_HOST_MERCHBAY:-not set}"
 echo "  SMTP_HOST: ${SMTP_HOST:-not set}"
 
-# Start crond in foreground
+# Start crond in background
 echo ""
-echo "Starting cron daemon in foreground..."
+echo "Starting cron daemon..."
 echo "Logs will be written to:"
 echo "  - Cron output: /var/log/cron.log"
 echo "  - Email logs: /app/email.log"
 echo ""
-exec crond -f -l 2
+
+# Start crond in background
+crond -l 2
+
+# Verify crond started
+sleep 2
+if ! ps aux | grep -v grep | grep -q crond; then
+  echo "ERROR: crond failed to start"
+  exit 1
+fi
+
+echo "✓ Cron daemon is running"
+echo ""
+echo "Container is ready. Tailing logs..."
+echo "Press Ctrl+C to stop (but don't - this keeps the container alive!)"
+echo ""
+
+# Keep container alive by tailing logs
+tail -f /var/log/cron.log /app/email.log