Entrepreneurial Excerpt from a Speech to Small Business
Having built a business from a bucket of water and sponge, which started over 25 years ago in a National Franchise chain in 23 states, I feel comfortable discussing entrepreneurship.
While building my company in the beginning we learned the value of grass roots marketing, being involved in the community and giving a little back as we grow. In light of those humble beginnings and our tradition we have decided to come to the aid of millions and millions of small businessmen and women across this country.
Small Business in America employs 2/3rds of the American Workforce. It consists of over 50% of every consumer dollar spent. We are watching the US economy emerge from an unfortunate recession and hardship. We realize that for the US Economy to fully emerge into the economic powerhouse it is, that it must do so on the backs and strengths of all small businesses across our great nation. What many may not realize about my company the Car Wash Guys, is that my company was built at a time when it's greatest expansion was in the middle of two previous recessions. One was inflationary and one deflationary. We were able to expand before during these periods by believing and working to achieve prosperity within our local markets and communities. There are many huge American Success stories, which are burned into the annals of our heritage of such feats.
We set up franchises all over this great nation and each market has it's own character and flair. Each is unique and special, it is exactly for this reason we have sent this article of our past experience and knowledge of how to do grass roots marketing to every Chamber of Commerce in the Country we could find. We sent this article to the SBA, SBDC, Economic Development Associations in 50 states and two territories.
http://www.worldthinktank.net/bcr101.pdf
We sent it to regional banks, who give small business loans and to franchisors, 2000 of them which account for nearly 25% of all thriving small businesses. We sent it to ezines and small business magazines, for placement in print and on web sites containing tips for small businesses across America. We have sent this article to the office of The President of The United States of America, along with many Senators, Congressmen of the Federal Government. We sent it to states senates for distribution and to State Assemblymen. We have sent it to Hispanic Chambers of Commerce in 15 states, Korean, Chinese, Black and Women Chambers of Commerce in many states, where we could find them.
Why?
Because as we study the economy and see the problems associated with layoffs from large corporations, decreased money supply, sluggish stock markets and International Terrorism causing tension and changes in consumer spending, we have realized that the only way to win this thing is to kick small business into high gear, get cleared for takeoff and hit those afterburners. There is no better way than to solve the local problems and teach small business how to fight. It is the same power that any army has to win or Olympic athlete would use. Lance Armstrong showed us in the Tour de France. We saw it the movie Rocky, we watch as our US Military fight international terrorism. Von Clauswitz, and military historians do agree on this subject. The Will To Fight, for a just cause and the tools to do it. We will beat this thing together.
Small business is the key, as it is the American Dream, and the ten percent of our population that own small businesses that employ in some states 80% of their populations hold the power. Unity in motion the mission statement and never surrender the battle cry. It is time to get tough America and the strong will survive and there is no stronger group on this planet than the combined will of America's entrepreneur and small businessperson. Calvin Coolidge, General Patton, Winston Churchill, Vince Lombardi, Alan Greenspan, President Bush and JFK would agree, it is time. Time to win.
This article is advice on how you can win in your small business, these techniques have been time tested by The Car Wash Guys all over this great nation in hundreds of diverse and unique markets and it is time that we give these experiences and truths to others so we can all succeed together. There is no easy way, but if you hold your ground and you fight on your feet you will never die on your knees. This advice did not come without sacrifice, it did not come without hardship, but it is the way to prosperity for those willing to go the distance, for the right reasons, for however long it takes. So help me God! So please think on this and incorporate these ideas into your small business today.
"Lance Winslow" - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs
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