We’ve all heard it, read it and heck, probably said it. What is ‘it??
‘It? is the state of the economy. In a word, ‘it? sucks.
For the past year I have heard from folks in our office, from our readers and from our business partners that times are hard. I’ll admit, it is hard to dispute that conclusion when using logical equations with variables of higher energy costs, higher food costs, fewer automotive-related jobs, more home foreclosures and charitable need. Were I not an optimist (small ‘o?), I would say things are mighty dim. Were I pessimistic, I would cry, ‘woe is me,? whilst crying in my beer.
But, I am an optimist (small ‘o?) and don’t drink beer anymore, so I couldn’t cry in it if I wanted to. I’ll go on record and state, I think sometimes folks in these parts use the tighter economy as an excuse for non-action — a reason not to succeed. I am not blind, I see all the area homes for sale. I curse at no one in particular and everyone at the same time when I gas-up my pickup.
‘Schmackin? Frackin Gaskin!?
However, I also see pulling in and out of area driveways many newer vehicles, many of these the expensive to own and operate kind. I also see plenty of cars in the parking lots of area restaurants and grocery stores. I see new businesses opening in our communities. So, I draw the conclusion, using my own logic, that things ain’t as bad as they seem. Things may be tighter, but folks in these parts are still eating, driving, buying, getting haircuts, fake and bake tans and medical attention.
We publish Total Market Coverage (TMC) products in the immediate area (the Ad-Vertiser in Oxford, Orion and Addison; the Penny Stretcher in the Clarkston area and The Citizen in the Ortonville-Goodrich area) and just last week we got notice from the United States Postal Service that we needed to increase our press runs.
You read it right, increase. We were as incredulous as you are now — come on, we just ran stories from the school district stating the kid count was down, people are fleeing the state — how could we need to mail out more papers? We questioned, they checked and guess what — we are printing and mailing out more, not less papers than last year.
The thing is, I guess, locally at least the economy is moving. I don’t know about up north or down south, but right here, things are still going forward. And, if the rest of the state is going south, then us moving forward is really a good thing.
What can we do to keep the ball rolling? For one, don’t give up. Something else we can do is shop and use local services. Support businesses that pay local taxes (and donate to local charities and to every student endeavor that comes their way). Keep the cash in the community. Support your neighbor and his/her business.
In the Feb/March issue of BusinessWeek’s Small Biz magazine, Deputy Editor Susan Price wrote an editorial that caught my eye.
Make Lemonade
Finding Opportunity In Troubled Times
‘With rising energy costs, falling housing prices, a jittery stock market and an anemic dollar, the economy certainly has seen better days,? she wrote. ‘Well before economists and the media started whispering about a possible recession, entrepreneurs were on it. That’s not to say they shuttered their warehouses or crossed their fingers and hoped the storm would quickly pass. By nature, entrepreneurs seek opportunities, no matter the climate . . .?
As I read Susan’s words, another thought that had been bangin? around in my Neanderthal-like noggin was starting to take solid form. I picked up my Neanderthal-draggin? knuckles from the floor, dusted off the salt-residue brought in from the driveway and wrote a note to myself. (Urggrl, Neanderthal Don need help remembering grumphfl.)
‘Rugged individualism. Entrepreneurial spirit of thems in Michigan 100 years ago put us on the world’s map. Have we too long been good, little workers? Has living through generations of being comfortable made us expect handouts? Dad said, ‘it’s a big, bad bear out there and nobody owes you anything.?? And then I scribbled, ‘When you are given lemons, make lemonade. Is that too risky??
Maybe.
Or, maybe each of us can wake-up our own inner entrepreneur. Maybe if homes are not selling, those with homes for sale can lease or rent rooms. Maybe realtors can offer services for fighting property taxes at local boards of review (providing comparative home values for property owners to show why their taxes should not go up). Look for opportunity then act.
Got any ideas, let us know. Know of a biz start up, let us know. E-mail me, dontrushmedon@charter.net