skip to Main Content

Mission Small Business Update

Mission Small Business Update

I just finished reading an entry by Seth Godin about American Express and Living Social’s Mission Small Business Contest.

But what Seth failed to see is the other awakening for the more than 65,000 businesses that participated. I think this article says it best:

So, the lesson to be learned from Mission: Small Business may not be the one many of us already recognize. Namely, it’s not that a company isn’t going to lay out $3 million without making sure they get more than that value in return. 

Instead, it may be time for a new mission: a mission that creates more real funding opportunities for small businesses where the return on investment isn’t personal data and manufactured goodwill but authentic business growth and new local jobs.  For more on this article click here. 

I spent a great deal of time reaching out to family and client friends and personal friends and others who are followers on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.  My experience was actually very good. I ended up with the president of my high school class asking if I might be interested in getting nominated for our high school hall of fame based on my accomplishments he read about when he reconnected with me as a result of my extended outreach for Mission Small Business.

I also met new people who voted for me because their teacher or boss or colleague told them about the work I have been doing for years to give back to the community in Chicagoland.  With each new connection, as I always do, I went and looked them up and discovered some new businesses I would like to support in return.

So, was this a waste of my time even if I am not chosen one of the 12? No. Was this a mistake on the part of Chase or Living Social? I will defer to another entrepreneur in the article, above. He shared, and I would go and read what he had to say exactly, that he believes this contest could open the gates to other contests to support small businesses that are, without a doubt, the backbone of our country.

All I know is that we do need more support for entrepreneurs. I have been in business for 25 years and my definitive line for entrepreneurs is: “Entrepreneurship is where our creativity lies and where our hope is.” What are your thoughts? Weigh in as you see fit, below.

 

Back To Top