Earth Wind & Fire sang about it.
Shining star for you to see, what your life can truly be.
In this string of "badness," in corporate America gone crazy, with CEOs making a mess of things, there is a shining star. In fact, it's 27 million of us. A big freakin' galaxy.
We are small business.
Speaking of shining stars, Biznik, an amazing online business networking site with 26,000 members worldwide, will make history on the evening of Wednesday, May 6, 2009. SHINE is billed as the largest collaborative social media film event Seattle has ever seen.
This first-of-its-kind event will bring together dozens of professional videographers, writers, and reporters and hundreds of Seattle's entrepreneurs and small biz owners to tell the inspiring stories of people who had an idea, a passion, and the drive to make their dream a reality.
The cameras will be rolling. It's our turn to shine.
Why is Biznik leading this ambitious project? Because they believe that it's small business (that's us) that's going to dig us out of this recession we're wallowing in.
Yes, it's the small coffee shops, the bookstores, the solo practice attorneys, the painters, the fitness trainers, the bakeries and flower shops—all the little guys who work hard, don't take bailouts and huge severance packages, and perform, day after day, with a cheerful smile and a business-as-usual attitude.
5 real reasons why small business will lead the way
Now, I'm not going to get all scientific on you and recite those boring studies. No matter that there are 27 million plus of us. That something like 20.7 million of us have no employees, yet together we generate 80 percent or more of the U.S. gross national product.
Okay, I lied. The journalist in me couldn't help throwing in some numbers.
But here are just 5 of the real reasons small biz owners rule:
1. We finally have a voice.
In an article I wrote for The Business Report last month, Dan McComb, co-founder of Biznik, explains it this way: "In the early 90's most of the Web traffic went to a few big companies. But 15 years later, blogs and social networks have shifted the balance of power. People like you and me have access to powerful communication tools. Now getting heard is more about having something to say and choosing to say it." Couldn't agree more with Dan. We are creating our own media.
2. Our customers trust us.
Okay, here's one more piece of data to prove my point. A February 2009 poll by Rasmussen Reports showed that small business owners were more trusted and respected than government leaders, religious leaders, or big businesses.
Okay, that one about the religious leaders surprised even me.
But because we are present, accessible—there for them—our customers trust us. They know we will fix a problem, that we stand behind our products and services. They know where we live.
3. Courage is our badge of honor.
When we started our businesses, most of us just sucked in our breaths and took the plunge. Remember the first time you climbed the steps to the "high dive"? Your knees were wobbly, all jelly-like. You were shivering with fright. But you knew you couldn't turn back because 6 impatient, sarcastic 8-year-olds were lined up behind you.
"Come on already! Jump!" the red-haired kid behind you yelled. You knew you had to leave the edge of that board. But, man, were you scared. We can—and do—use that same courage now to take risks in the interest of improving our businesses and adapting to out clients' changing needs.
4. We don't give up.
Not a whiner in the bunch of us. If something isn't working, we try something else. And our country needs scrappy, stubborn entrepreneurs like us now more than ever. Because it's easier for us to be flexible, we can turn on a dime when it comes to throwing out the unworkable and launching a new strategy or tool. How many big companies can do that? How many of them are willing to?
5. We succeed by making our customers happy.
We're not like the big guys. We can't launch a million dollar TV campaign to make people feel good—or young, or sexy—if they buy our car. Our ideas have to stand on their own merit. We cannot force a product or service on an unwilling consumer. If we are incompetent or make poor decisions, we aren't rewarded. We go out of business.
If you want to be a part of SHINE, all you have to do is join Biznik (it's free!) and sign up for the event.
Somewhere toward the end of Earth, Wind & Fire's song, Shining Star, there is a line: Words of wisdom: yes I can.
All politics aside, "Yes, we can."
Because we are small
business.
I will be there Judy and look forward to all of the energy that you will be bringing to the SHINE event
Posted by: Elizabeth Lee | May 02, 2009 at 02:43 PM
Elizabeth! I'm always honored when you visit. Bob and I both look forward to seeing you at SHINE. Hey. All that energy in one room?
Posted by: Judy Dunn | May 02, 2009 at 02:56 PM
Judy,
Your post gave me a sense of pride to my just begun journey as a freelancer (the pain of slogging to get work just went through the window!). I got so vexed up with the way the big agencies work. Often clamouring to hog the limelight at the cost of the clients' business. The sense of accountability and commitment is sacrificed at the altar of self-glory and fame.
I thought after some solid battering at the hands of those self-seeking perspectives, and started my journey as a freelancer who wants to give the same kind of branding experience to small and medium businesses who are wary of the big agencies and high budgets and super egos.
But, sadly, as humans we never believe a newcomer - or a small setup with no big reputation or the lack of glamourous paraphernalia associated with the big wigs.
I salute the courage of every small entrepreneur and join you in highlighting their courage, commitment, steadfastness, the limitless talent and/or the passion they bring forth through each assignment.
Credit should go to those who walked this tough terrain and reached the top - as they're the role models for the rest of the lot.
Great post, and you very well highlighted what a independent and small business team can bring to the table!
Recent blog post: Go Crazy …. It helps you LEARN and WIN
Recent blog post: Go Crazy …. It helps you LEARN and WIN
Recent blog post: Go Crazy …. It helps you LEARN and WIN
Posted by: Solomon | May 05, 2009 at 08:11 AM
Thanks for the kind words, Solomon. Some start small on the quest to be big. Others of us love what we do and just want to continue to work with other small biz owners.
Best of luck in your new freelancing career.
Posted by: Judy Dunn | May 06, 2009 at 10:18 AM