"The World without Small Business"

[David Sandusky]

The World Without Small Business from Ashley's List
Ashley writes about, well, the world without small business. A great discussion, but you can't post to her blog so I bring it here. Ashley's List is a good resource so do visit. Read on and discuss:

I have been trying to figure out in my head, a mental picture if you will, of what the world would be like without small business. The images that are conjured up as a result of this daunting question are quite bleak. I see nothing but the obvious. Chains. I see streets lined with endless Starbucks, McDonalds, Home Depot, PetSmart, Chipolte, Wal Mart, Best Buy, Target & Lowes. Strip mall after strip mall. Nothing in between. No character. Now... this is just the mental imagery.

The reality of a world without small business would be horrific. It is enough to think we have come close enough to the endless strip malls - but in reality, we aren't far off from stripping our economy and business culture from small business entirely.

Soon, coffee choices will be nil. That doesn't sound like that big of a deal - unless you refuse to drink or support Starbucks. Soon, there will be no more Tennyson Street Hardware... as there is a Home Depot going up just around the bend. Not more chit chat with the people you have been buying your tools from for the last 15 years. Gone. Soon, our lunch choices will range from Fast Food to, well, chains. No such thing as that old hole in the wall that we have all known and loved. The ones that make the best sandwich and know your name when you walk in. Soon, all of the clothes we wear will be chain bought. No such thing as small boutiques like Mona Lucero Designs, SWANK or Metroboom. We will all be shopping at the Cherry Creek Mall or Target, some maybe Wal Mart.

This is a frightening sensation to realize that within time there may be no place for small businesses. Somehow, in America, the idea of BIGGER seemed to equate with better and I just don't buy it. I know what it is like to know my local store owners; a pleasure. It isn't about the goods necessarily. It is about community. It is about keeping commerce moving while supporting the corner store rather than the more obvious, obnoxious choice.

I ask you to think about what it would look like in your world- without small business. What does it feel like? A little cold and sad for me. And what WE CAN do is support and buy local. I know, it isn't always easy and sometimes, more expensive. Believe me- I have to juggle sometimes. But I would rather pay a little more to keep small business up and growing rather than being partially responsible for their demise.

If you have a small business and are a small business owner, I would love to hear from you. I would like to know what some of the challenges you are facing - perhaps as a group we can reach out and support one another before everywhere we look is one long strip mall.

Your feedback, questions and insight are most welcome! Please email ashleyslist(at)yahoo.com

I agree with what Ashley writes, particularly supporting the small business owner and community with all my heart. Many people do. Fact is the small business makes up the majority of our local economics.

A reality check, at least with my experience directly supporting small business owners and reading many stories over the years:

All big business started out as a dream. Many of them did not even create anything new, but a dream of a significant business. The founder's goal was similar to many current small business owners - grow, grow, grow.
But, once a corporate behemoth, they are bad. As will your small business if you grow, grow, grow or sell to one of them.

Many startups do not have the dream of being the next Starbucks or Wal-Mart, but soooo many attach success to one of the big box stores picking up their products. Why not, you work so hard for the reward! I just heard about a great line of maternity wear that looks good - women don't have to look like grandma. The success of this business just hit the big milestone by getting picked up by Target.

Turns out the big box stores create opportunity, but again, we must support the local farmer's markets and boutique shops. The best way to keep big business and big government in check is to dream and create.

What are you doing to keep your community?