art-of-biz  

We had a great discussion this week about “Entrepreneurship:  The Answer to Economic Uncertainty.”  The picture for our economy doesn’t look good, even though the Dow Jones surpassed 10,000 on Wednesday.   Much of the improved financial status of publicly-traded firms comes from cost-cutting not sales.  Economists still do not expect the unemployment picture to get better any time soon.

But our discussion didn’t focus on the downside, but on the upside!  We shared how entrepreneurs are the key to the economy and economic recovery.  Bo Fishback, Vice President of Entrepreneurship at the Kauffman Foundation, shared how almost all the new job growth in the U.S. comes from companies under five years.  That’s right it is people like you and me - aspiring, emerging, new and serial entrepreneurs - that create jobs, not the government! 

Some other highlights from the radio broadcast are 1) An entrepreneur is more than someone organizing a business venture and assuming the risk.  An entrepreneur is a creator, innovator and problem-solver. 2) Entrepreneurs can gain influence, strength and support by coming together in community.  For example, need capital.  Learn about the concept of peer-to-peer loans by watching a Forbes magazine video.  Also, check out www.prosper.com.  Here you have people and entrepreneurs helping each other.  Learn how entrepreneurs as a part of communities fostered economic development throughout history in “The Entrepreneurial Secret” by Cedric Muhammad.  3) If we become a community, we can also become an economic system in our own right, fostering economic growth locally and globally.

But to be in the know, you need to listen to the show!  Listen online or download to your computer, MP3 player, cell phone or I-POD.

And, I just have to add one other point to top off reasons to get moving on that entrepreneurial idea.  Over 50% of the companies listed on the Fortune 500 started in times of recession.  So, this is the time for us to get in gear and make it happen for ourselves, families and communities!  Kauffman launched a great platform to facilitate a unified voice for entrepreneurs called the Entrepreneurs’ Movement.  Join and get others to join! 

There are other ways to stay connected with Kauffman’s work with entrepreneurs.  Check these out:

• Keep updated with real-time conversation on Twitter. (http://www.twitter.com/strongeramerica)
• Join the Facebook community. (http://www.facebook.com/buildastrongamerica)
• Participate the Global Entrepreneurship Week, November 16-22. (http://www.unleashingideas.org)

And don't forget to stay connected with The Art of Making Business Happen community at http://artofbiz.ning.com and http://www.blogtalkradio.com/art-of-biz.  You can even join the community!