I’m really delighted to welcome Becky McCray to the blog as a regular contributor with her Small Business Letter from America. I’m sure, like me, you’ll enjoy her contributions, and unique …
I’m really delighted to welcome Becky McCray to the blog as a regular contributor with her Small Business Letter from America. I’m sure, like me, you’ll enjoy her contributions, and unique perspective on small business.
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We small business owners just can’t make up our minds in America. Though we’re constantly hit with negative economic news, first one survey says small business owners are optimistic, then the next says we’re worried.
Here’s what I mean. Yesterday’s Administaff’s survey shows that we think our small businesses are growing even faster than we expected. That’s immediately followed by a survey from the National Association of Self-Employed that says we’re worried about even being able to pay our home mortgages. Those are just two examples out of dozens of recent surveys of the mood of small business people, with plenty of conflicting results.
Some where between our worry and our optimism, business goes on. We keep trying new things, seeing if we can improve our customers’ lives. Some businesses will fail this year, and some new ones will start. As small business owners, we are a bit different. We don’t wait for just the right timing. Our business is how we make our living. We can’t just sit out the rough economic patches. All we can control is our attitude and our actions.
A very successful business in my home town of Alva, Oklahoma, has a small sign up that says, "I don’t care who throws the recession, this business does not plan to attend." They’ve had it up for years; decades, actually. They have survived since our town’s pioneer days, and continue to thrive in the face of competition from the huge retail chain. The current owner of that business told me that when he bought it nearly 50 years ago, his business plan was simple. He had to succeed to feed his family. So he did. That’s a pretty simple plan. His business continues to innovate. Even though he could have retired years ago, the owner continues to take training and learn new skills for his customers. He can’t control the economy, but he does all he can to succeed.
So even though we aren’t sure what is coming next, small business people are moving forward. That’s what we do.
I think one of the best ways for small business owners to keep pushing forward is getting more involved online whether it be with Social Media or simply reading case studies. A lot of small business owners I have noticed are still reluctant to hop on the Internet train. I think some business owners aren’t realizing that they have to innovate and be creative in order to keep the stream of business flowing. Becky, what are some ways that these small business owners should think about to keep pushing forward?
Small Business owners are largely forgotten. Thats why I only focus on them. I have experience several members of my family file bankruptcy due to small business failures. I also I suffered through 2 destroyed businesses due to failure however, in my failings I have learned some of the secrets to success. (Who can say they know it all?)
What I like about small business owners is that they are not afraid to take huge risks and lay it all on the line. But, I agree they do need a lot of help with their marketing. I think having them go the social media and email route is not only the least expensive but its also the most effective. Thanks for the stats!