The Business of Self or Unselfishness? What’s best? Do we have a Hunch?

In recent days, we have heard the argument that people create businesses, through their own hard work, but also because of the added contributions of others, who make it possible for those innovators and creators of business; to have the environment, so that, their work, could be possible to accomplish. The other side of the debate states that business owners, create their business without the assistance of anyone, and if not for that individual the enterprise that they created would not exist, to serve the people, as it stands presently. 

 There is much to contend with looking at either side of the coin; however, are we there yet?  in the determination of, how small and big business will rebound enough to feed their families?, make resources enough to be able to hire others?, and to feel adequately stable in business to reinvest in the economy at large? Unfortunately, the news coverage of the leaders of this nation’s economic future has involved these messages; which gives the perception that this is food for fodder,

  in determining which candidate possesses the proper business and economic forethought to be the leader of business and the economy, going into the future of the nation.

 

If we are truly, on this train and heading towards this great intellectual duel of philosophical, and economical thoughts and  frivolity. Then, please tell me, where is the stop, when a passenger boards and is given the explanation, of why?; we must travel down this road? ; and where this is going to lead us? We would benefit from having a sense of a united direction. A roadmap, which is supported by all, in which those who travel upon it will be supported and guided; so that we all, can experience a shared success.

Even, if it was a “national railroad”, people owned, as our infrastructure has become degraded over time,  with minimal reinvestment. It would be something that people could lay hold to, and plan towards, in their business, entrepreneurial, and strategic planning for the future. However, we are not given much time to debate or even ask many questions about these substantive things. You would do better asking; who is John Galt?

Since we don’t really see the meaningful business aspects of continuing down this abstract course, other than clarifying, that individuals don’t live in a vacuum, and need to pay their fair share of taxes, on the money they make operating in their business environment.  I believe it suffice to say that,  this is something that the presently installed leaders can resolve today. 

 

Many are paying their fair share, however, a small vocal minority, need to contribute more. This however, is not the only solution. Big business must help, the small business and the small business, must support the communities where the money is generated. This model comes out of a very basic and fundamental question,

 Are we our brothers keepers?  This debate over the individual business owner’s effort over the collective of the society goes to the heart of this question. What is your answer?

It seems like many of the well to do amongst us, have taken on the view that, if I made it and worked hard, then anyone else could. Why should I have to help anyone else achieve what I have? I didn’t get any help to do what I did, so why should I contribute to anyone else’s success or failings? 

 

It is not my job to give back! I can enjoy life, if I choose to; and I want to pursue my happiness.  Having stated this I would be remised, not to state the many large returns to society, by individuals like Buffet, Gates and Oprah Winfrey, to name a few. However significant they may seem, these are token returns (not to them, I am sure); but in the greater scheme of it all; we as of, a collective; if there is a we? can do better.

Now, I know this kind of talk can quickly get you the scarlet letter, and called a communist. However, that kind of talk was surprisingly absent, during the 2008 fiscal crisis, when we quickly threw a TARP over Atlas,

 

 so that it would not have to bear the weight of the financial storms, that lesser men have to bear daily. There were no lessons in the folly of altruism or weakness in being virtuous, or pulling up by your own bootstraps, We are still looking for the archival footage of the capitalists stating how the system was forever defiled by the bailouts.

People come together in times of need. When they become prosperous they don’t need the assistance of their brother or sister, and can be of service to others. We should not forget our brother or sisters because we are doing well, and don’t require there assistance at present. We choose to box ourselves in to labels which we believe define the culture or philosophical connections we would like to identify ourselves with. 

   Whether you claim to be a moderate, conservatism, liberal or independent; ask yourself the question, Am I my brothers/sisters keeper? Today, we have many holding the position of the Objectivist Ethics, which seems to be prevalent in the big business and elitist mindset of today. 

 

When growing up my mother said,  don’t take my kindness as a weakness on occasion.. I learned, over time and on many levels, and occasions, what she meant. Some people have a twisted perception of this truism, to justify their harsh treatment of others, to feel justified in not showing the care and support they should,  to assist others, through acts of compassion and altruism. By exhibiting the support they would want to encounter, if ever being in the position of needing it.  We must grow up now! And see the folly of our past ways.

 

Whether your betting on things staying the same (status quo) or have a hunch that the next great spring will take place in this nation, We are witnessing a hunch and a shrug from the great Atlas: and if not being on a knee already, not knowing if a collapse is imminent. What are you doing to help those, who cannot bear the burdens, which they are carrying at present? Are we truly united as we stand?

How to Build A Small Business Big

What do you need to do to make that small business idea into a mega international success? 

We may need advice by those who have done it, many times to make sure we are heading into the right direction. It has been said that the first thing you must do, is to enjoy what you are doing. The successful business person often loves what they are doing so that it really doesn’t seem like hard work they are doing; it is accentually a labor of love for the creator of the enterprise. The purpose of business for most does focus to a big extent on the economics of it. 

However, to have the dedication it takes to survive the tough times; one must truly forsake the financial consideration for the most part so that the focus of the entrepreneurs time is spent building the business, without the financial pressures being the primary focus of their attention. Someone once famously said you get what you give. If you are only put in minimal attention to your business then you can only expect to receive minimal results.

 The business moguls of our days are all people who are following dreams. Those who take the time to really try to pursue those dreams, despite the setbacks, and discouragements, find their success somewhere towards the end of a very long, roughly built road. There are many examples of people who have come from poverty to have built the most successful industries in this country today. Sometimes we look to others to seek the answers to our business concerns of today.

What we don’t realize is that we have the answers we need for the most part, already inside of ourselves. The difficulty is in bringing these ideas to the surface and sticking to them. The rest of it is often patience and dedication. So good luck and much success in building your business dreams.  

The Decline of Small Business

Do you think that, small businesses in decline

 or doing well? Looking at some of the recent economic statistics it doesn’t look good. Companies like Cisco are laying off staff as well as seeing others restructure and downsize. When you see this happen to the large business entities, you realize that the small companies are in big trouble. Small web based companies such as those featured 
 businesses on this site,
 has found consumer purchases to be at a complete stand still. Why are people not shopping with or using the services provided by small business people.

Most people say things like, we are completely outsourced, or that it’s hard to compete with major corporations, like the huge multi national’s  who receive the lion share of all consumer based profits,  So what is the fate of small business? Will they eventually all be consumed be the bigger entities that surround them, or will people return to supporting, small companies in their communities and online?

                                

Does big business support small business? This question may depend on who you know. However, their isn’t much evidence that community entities, are working with small

business leaders, to purchase items and services, which they can provide, at competitive prices. We currently feature vendors such as Jazzy City who provide custom designs on T-shirts, mugs, sweatshirts and etc which can be customized with the names of events, organizations, etc. These companies are powered by real people trying

  to become successful entrepreneurs in their communities. Too often, we opt for the rock bottom lowest prices we can find, not considering how the dollar is spent, or if it there’s recirculation throughout the community, before it is lost forever. Community sport clubs, churches and businesses everywhere can support our featured businesses, and other businesses such as these.

In this very recessive economy, we must find ways of supporting one another. It should not be said, as campaign slogans or feel good speeches. We need support on a grassroots level, that businesses can see and feel, on their bottom line. Small business was the cornerstone of business at one time, however that paradigm is changing. 

The future doesn’t looking promising, as the markets supporting small business continue to weaken,  Support small business today, and help them rebuild the stores, services, web sites, one business at a time until communities can rebuild and to sustain themselves now and into the future.

Small Business Today July 2012 Fundraising

Small Business Today, 2012 fundraising Campaign

 Small Business Today, Need’s Your Support!  

You can give by clicking on the *(Secure PayPal) Donation Button on this page. 

 We do not have sponsors, and rely on your support. Please give today, during our current 2012 fundraising effort. We ask that you support our:
 Featured businesses as well. Click images & links to your right.

It is our hope that this fundraising campaign will be very successful. Your support however small will be greatly appreciated. As you have seen in our blog, we are all about the small, people powered businesses that make a difference in our communities.                      

 

 When we All work together, we can each be successful at whatever we endeavor to accomplish. 

Thanks in Advance.   

SMALL BUSINESS TODAY

Why Did Trickle Down Economics Fail?

The aftermath of years of Tax incentives to the rich/ job creators has not provided the economic prosperity that the nation was looking for. The question is did anything trickle down? Many will say resoundingly No. Not even a nickel. Trillions spent, and no positive outcomes, leave many saying, Why?

 The thought was that by giving those tax incentives, write-off and loop holes to the well to do, would contribute to the economy; as they would be able to boost the local commerce of the nation, with the abundance of disposable income, at their discretion. The money was supposed to inspire job creation, as they invested in small shops and entrepreneurial endeavors, which created employment within our communities.

There was a major disconnect however, between those who had the capital and those who had the creative energy, trying to produce new businesses, products and services. The investments were not done locally, and the jobs were outsourced, according to national static’s. We are left wondering why? Are those who have the available resources not helping the small, people powered businesses trying to sustained themselves? As exampled by our featured businesses to the right of this blog. 

The support for our local business is not evidenced; whatsoever, as recorded by small businesses overall bottom lines. Those with an abundance of capital do not shop in our lower end retail establishments, and online businesses in large numbers. The pattern on the upside was that the rich is getting richer and on the low with the poor getting poorer. With their being so much talk about small business in our present political campaigns, why don’t we hear reports about a surge in support, for our web-based business communities locally?

We have a large business sector that has not, found a way to integrate the small business community into the wider economic avenues, that would provide the growth which is being sought after. The purpose for the investing of the people’s dollars is to see a return on investment. However, these dollars have not reached the low end of the economy. No, in many cases not even a trickle! There is a need for a new paradigm, as people are struggling to prosper in an environment of economic conservatism. The Small business community needs an upsurge. Individual’s trying to make a difference need your support.

These are real people who are trying to make it in a very weak economy. We ask for your support. Shop with our small businesses, they need your help. Click on the images to your right and start there, we need to return our focus on our small local business people. These individuals are the ones who become our leaders of tomorrow, they need your help today. Support small business. Let’s not just talk about it; these are real people with real families and lives. Let’s leave the politics in Washington and elsewhere, and Support our People Today!

Small Business Today! Give Your Support

Who are they? They are people like you. What do they want? Success and happiness. They work hard and try to put a meal on the table, for their families. They want to make enough money, so that their children are clothed, and have some choice in becoming successful in their chosen profession. They want to grow to become more resourceful, so that they can afford to hire others into their businesses.

We are Small business. Small business is in a very unstable position today. They need support. People are not supporting small business on a large scale nowadays. Small, web based online business owners are really struggling. They need the support and purchase power of those who can make a difference.

We don’t find people working together to find a way to be better givers. Small business is called the back bone of the economy. However, small business is dependant on the consumers in their communities. The Internet community, being world wide, there is more work to be done to reach out to its consumers. Small Business is at a disadvantage; competing against large multinational corporations.We need a fighting chance.                    

Small business cannot play the Ad’s game, and don’t receiving the corporate sponsorships, that keep their businesses competitive, and ever growing. I am calling on our best business leaders and corporate donors, to give back to the small business people. Shop by shop we can start to become more active consumers and to help those who need you!       

Olympic Sized Challenges For Nations Small Businesses

Is it really true? We cannot 
even have the Olympic uniforms of this country made by it own citizens for the Olympics? Many are dismayed. After hearing about the story in its entirety it is not fair to lay the blame with the French designers who made them. We cannot blame anyone but ourselves. We seem to need these occasional jolts to the nation’s consciences. We never take the time to consider; do we support, our own local and community based designers? Sadly, the answer is often No. There are links to designers on the side of this blog, of home based designers who need your support.

Unfortunately they don’t do so well. Although there is plenty of production companies, video-producers, business owners and others who could use their custom designed shirts, and other products. The home grown designers of this nation are not doing well at all economically. Again I’m not including the nation’s conglomerates in this statement. I am speaking about the little guy/girl who rarely gets the support. However, it is from the very bottom, many times do we find our most talented designers, athletes, entertainers, and musicians.

Our dollars don’t circulate within our communities’ very long if at all before it is removed. It had to be heartbreaking, to hear reports that there was nobody who could be contacted, in our nation to make uniforms for the nation’s team. People still take pride in their creativity and their work, however we do not appreciate our own people and the work that they do. We must all be proactive. Demand that we use the designs such as we see on the sites I mentioned earlier, Jazzy City And Product Pros. Shop with one of our local online Avon Reps. Find a Small shop in your community that really need your help and be their biggest supporter. 
 You will be surprised at the results; even a little could mean a whole lot. We truly need the help of all, the big business leaders can be of great assistance to the small business leaders at this time. The big designers should support the little ones. They can give space on their racks to the wears of some smaller designers. The large superstores can stock some designs and show supports as well. If people had a will we can make the way. Small Business Today has a great challenge, as it seems that we don’t support our own. This is not merely a perception, but a reality that we have to change. Invite your community leaders, churches, sports teams and others to support our small business leaders, it was make a difference.